TSB: Some drivers of 2020 ? 2022 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may be sensitive to the momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking under certain driving conditions, such as while driving downhill, or turning with light brake pedal application. The brake actuator control module can be updated to improve brake feeling for this condition. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Toyota Highlander airbags problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
7crashes
8injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SSC: SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 22TC01 Over-the-Air (OTA) pilot program. This pilot program would enable you to complete Special Service Campaign 22TC01 for DCM (Data Communication Module) Reprogramming for Safety Connect, which includes your vehicle. With your active telematics account, you are encouraged to complete this campaign using this Over-the-Air (OTA) update by following these steps: 1) To complete this update, each Team Member will use the Toyota/Lexus App installed on their phone. 2) Within a few days of this E-Mail, we will send a notification to your Toyota/Lexus app to schedule and install the update on your vehicle. 3) Click on either the notification on your lock screen or the
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DL: Due to improper programming of the Data Communication Module (DCM), which provides cellular communication in various situations, including emergencies, the driver and Safety Connect operator may not be able to hear each other?s voices during a Safety Connect call
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2022 Highlanders have reported multiple distinct airbag failures. Most serious: at least three crash incidents where airbags failed to deploy during frontal collisions, including a ~75 MPH impact, a red-light rear-quarter collision with a full-size van (though one owner reported airbags deployed normally in a similar impact), and another frontal crash. In the high-speed case, injuries included concussions and sprains to multiple occupants.
Water intrusion into airbag cavities via defective roof rail clips is a documented issue (Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0040-24). Water leaks into the headliner and down A-pillars during car washes or rain, pooling near front curtain airbag modules. One owner had passenger-side clips replaced, but driver-side clips failed months later; another confirmed the same leak pattern. Dealers initially blamed clogged sunroof drains.
SRS malfunction lights plague many vehicles. Several owners report a repeating pattern: light comes on after parking in sun for 30+ minutes, clears on restart, and recurs. Two owners report persistent airbag malfunction alerts that remain on the cluster for 1–2 months despite multiple dealer visits and remain unresolved. One dealer refused to run diagnostics on back-to-back appointments, citing scheduling conflicts and noting warranty expiration. Multiple startup malfunction clusters—combining SRS, front camera, pre-collision, LTA, headlight, and VSC errors—also recur after power resets.
One collision resulted in ABS warning light illumination post-crash.
Same Toyota Highlander airbags reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in frontal crashes
Multiple owners report airbags failed to deploy during frontal-impact collisions at highway speeds and low-speed incidents. In one case at ~75 MPH impact, airbags did not deploy; in another low-speed red-light collision with a full-size van, airbags deployed normally. A third frontal collision also resulted in non-deployment with forward collision system failure codes.
When: At crash event; mileage ~70,765 in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during frontal impact; Forward collision/pre-collision system did not function; Error messages indicating system failure post-crash
Codes mentioned: SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) malfunction, Pre-collision system malfunction, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle was towed to independent mechanic; manufacturer was made aware and case filed. No repair outcomes reported for other incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of at least one failure; case filed. No recall issued for non-deployment failures as of complaint dates.
Water intrusion into airbag module area via roof rail clips
Defective roof rack attachment clips allow water to leak into vehicle headliner and down A-pillars, creating a direct path into the front curtain airbag modules. Issue occurs after car wash or rain. Toyota service initially blamed clogged sunroof drains; owners later confirmed clips were the root cause. Passenger-side clips replaced on one vehicle, but driver-side clips failed months later. Second vehicle exhibits same pattern.
When: January 2023 (few months after purchase); recurring failure April 2025 on driver side
Symptoms owners cite: Water staining on headliner and A-pillar trim; Water leaking into headliner and A-pillar during car wash or rain; Water pooling in airbag module cavity; Potential mold growth in cabin from moisture
Codes mentioned: Roof drainage system failure (symptom-level; underlying cause is hardware)
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side roof rail clips replaced at Toyota dealer; driver-side clips failed and were confirmed as failed on second visit. Owners report clips are defective hardware requiring replacement. No cost stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0040-24 references roof rail clip issue. Dealers initially dismissed as clogged drainage (annual owner maintenance) and not warranty-covered. Clip replacement performed after owner pushback, but incomplete and recurring.
SRS airbag malfunction light—intermittent, sun-related
SRS airbag system malfunction light illuminates when vehicle is parked in direct sun for 30+ minutes and ignition is pressed. Light extinguishes after vehicle restart. Pattern repeats on subsequent starts. Multiple owners report identical behavior; no crash or water damage noted in these cases.
When: Upon ignition start after sun soak (30+ min); occurs repeatedly
Symptoms owners cite: SRS airbag system malfunction light on dashboard illuminates; Light extinguishes after vehicle restart; No airbag deployment issue during normal operation; Pattern repeats on multiple occasions
Codes mentioned: SRS system malfunction (clears on restart)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted or needed by owners; light resets on restart. Issue is nuisance rather than safety failure in these reports.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or service bulletins cited for sun-soak-related SRS malfunction light.
Persistent SRS malfunction alert—non-clearing
Two owners report SRS airbag malfunction alert message that remains on the instrument cluster for more than one month (first case) and two months (second case). Alert does not clear and blocks other instrument panel information from view. Vehicles brought to Toyota dealers multiple times for diagnosis and repair; problem persists despite dealer intervention.
When: Alerts present continuously for 1–2+ months; vehicles approximately 1–2 years old at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: SRS airbag malfunction alert persistently displayed on instrument cluster; Alert message blocks other instrument panel information; Alert remains on after multiple dealer service visits
Codes mentioned: SRS system malfunction (persistent, non-clearing)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles serviced at Toyota dealers (including dealer of purchase) twice and four times respectively; problem unresolved. Technicians reportedly unable to identify root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or service bulletins cited. Dealers unable to resolve; no manufacturer statement on cause or fix.
Multiple electrical/system malfunctions triggered at startup
Owners report clusters of warning lights and malfunction messages illuminating at vehicle startup or upon ignition, often after sun soak. Lights include SRS, front camera unavailable, pre-collision system malfunction, LTA (Lane Tracing Assist), headlight system, RSA (Road Sign Assist), and VSC. Lights clear after power reset in some cases but recur.
When: At ignition startup, often after sun-soaked parking; no specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights and error messages on startup; SRS airbag system malfunction light; Front camera unavailable message; Pre-collision system malfunction; LTA, headlight system, RSA, VSC malfunction lights; Lights clear after power reset in some cases
Codes mentioned: SRS malfunction, Front camera malfunction, Pre-collision system malfunction, LTA malfunction, Headlight system malfunction, RSA malfunction, VSC malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs attempted by owners; lights reset after power cycle in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or service bulletins cited for multi-system startup failures.
Airbag malfunction alert with unresponsive dealer service
Owner reported high-pitched airbag malfunction alarm and seatbelt engagement alert on dashboard. Owner made multiple appointments at Toyota service department; dealership refused to perform diagnostic tests on two consecutive visits, citing scheduling constraints and noting warranty expiration was approaching. Owner fears airbags will fail in an accident and requested emergency assistance.
When: September 2024; vehicle warranty approaching expiration
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched alarm in dashboard; Airbag malfunction warning displayed; Seatbelt engagement alert; Alarm and warning persist despite seatbelt reinsertion
Codes mentioned: Airbag system malfunction, Seatbelt engagement fault
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnostic test performed or repair attempted; dealership declined to run diagnostics on two separate visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused service and diagnostic testing; no manufacturer follow-up reported.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
When the vehicle is parked in the sun for 30 minutes or more. After pushing the start button, the SRS airbag system malfunction light came on. After restarting the vehicle, the airbag light was out.
Had airbags trouble with your 2022 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2022 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 70,765 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.