2011 Toyota Highlander Airbags Problems
8 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Airbags Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Owner Complaints (8)
Your steering wheel airbag failed to deploy during a front-end collision. This is a serious safety defect that means a critical safety feature didn't work when needed to protect you during impact.
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During a highway crash where your Highlander was hit from behind and spun into guard rails on both sides, the side airbags deployed but the front airbags failed to inflate. You report that your seat belt did not restrain you properly, allowing your head to strike the steering wheel and resulting in serious injuries including a dislocated neck disk, permanent vision loss in one eye, concussion, and lacerations. The repair would require inspection and replacement of the airbag control module, airbag units, and seat belt pretensioner system to ensure proper deployment and restraint.
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I HIT A CONCRETE POST AT ROUGHLY 30 MPH, DEAD CENTER FRONT OF VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I BROKE MY NECK DUE TO THE SEATBELT HOLDING MY CHEST AND TORSO BACK ON THE SEAT, WHILE MY HEAD MOVED FORWARD, ALL THE WAY DOWN AND HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HEAD MOVEMENT RESULTED IN A COMPLETE BREAK OF MY C2 VERTEBRAE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER ENTERING THE LARGE AREA OF A WALMART PARKING LOT FROM THE HIGHWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AROUND A CORNER AND WENT INTO A SMALL EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE T-BONED THE CENTER BARRIER OF THE FREEWAY. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MOST OF THE FRONT END WAS CRASHED IN AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE ENGINE AND RADIATOR WERE PUSHED FAR BACK FROM THEIR ORIGINAL POSITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THEN BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONSENSUS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT OFF. EVEN WHEN A PERSON IS SITTING ON THE SEAT. CRUISE CONTROL ALSO STOPPED WORKING, LIGHT WOULDN'T EVEN COME ON. POWER LOCKING SYSTEM ALSO CEASED WORKING.
TL* THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WHICH STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE (STAYED LOOSE). THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WHO WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
FOUND DTC B1821 SRS.
I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A DEER. THE CAR WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND BACK ONTO THE ROAD. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. A LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC, AT LEAST 2FT. IN LENGTH,FLEW OFF ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAUSING SEVERE CUTS,LACERATIONS,AND ABRASIONS TO MY LEFT ARM - THIS REQUIRED A TRIP THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE MY ENTIRE ARM WAS TREATED. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT CANNOT ACCEPT THE FACT THAT I WAS INJURED BY FLYING PLASTIC DEBRIS...UPDATED 08/25/14 *BF UPDATED 09/2/2014 *JS