Toyota recalls 550,000 Highlander SUVs over seat locking issue

Toyota recall overview:

• Who: Toyota is recalling 550,000 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs.
• Why: The Toyota recall is due to a defect in the second-row seats that may not fully lock, posing a risk of injury in a crash.
• Where: The recall is active in the United States.

Toyota is recalling 550,000 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs due to a potential safety issue with the second-row seats.

The affected vehicles, spanning model years 2021 to 2024, have been identified as having seatbacks that may not lock properly after adjustment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

The recall was issued on March 12 and affects certain Highlander and Highlander Hybrid models. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem lies in the recliner assembly springs of the second-row seats, which may fail to secure the seatbacks in place.

“A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury,” the Toyota recall notice says.

Dealers to replace Toyota Highlander assembly springs free of charge

The issue was identified as part of Toyota’s ongoing commitment to vehicle safety and quality assurance. The automaker has emphasized the importance of addressing this defect promptly to prevent potential injuries. The NHTSA has also been involved in monitoring the Toyota recall process to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Toyota has assured that dealers will replace the faulty recliner assembly springs with improved ones at no cost to the vehicle owners. 

The company has committed to notifying owners of the recalled vehicles by mail starting April 20, 2026.

“Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331,” the recall notice says.

Vehicle owners can also check their Toyota Highlander’s vehicle identification number on the NHTSA or Toyota websites to see if their vehicle is affected.

Toyota says it has not received any reports of injury related to the recall so far. The company is not currently facing legal action over the Toyota recall, but Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they sometimes lead to class action lawsuits.

However, Toyota is currently facing a lawsuit claiming it knowingly sold and leased vehicles equipped with defective UA80 eight-speed automatic transmissions that are prone to premature failure and unsafe driving behavior.

Are you affected by this Toyota recall? Let us know in the comments.

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