2012 Toyota Highlander Airbags Problems
9 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 (9)
Your front passenger airbag warning light keeps turning on and off intermittently when someone sits in that seat, and now the seat itself is showing signs of the problem. This indicates a potential issue with the airbag system's sensor or wiring that detects passenger presence. A mechanic will need to diagnose the electrical connection or occupancy sensor for the passenger side airbag.
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TAKATA RECALL - DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE FULLY DURING THE FRONTAL ACCIDENT ON 05/26/2018. PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE AT ALL DURING THE FRONTAL ACCIDENT ON 05/26/2018. SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE AT ALL DURING THE FRONTAL ACCIDENT ON 05/26/2018. VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER AND ON
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY TOAD. THE DISPLAY ALSO NOTIFIED ME AND READ, PLEASE TAKE THIS TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE HORN ON THE CAR ALSO STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE NO HORN AND A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. ARE THEY CONNECTED?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CABINET IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST DUE TO THE ROAD BEING WET. THE VEHCILE BEGAN TO SPIN HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LAND OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT-END AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER RECEIVED NECK INJURIES AND BOTH PASSENGERS THAT WERE SEATED IN THE REAR RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE ABDOMIN. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
RE: OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, SRS, ZERO POINT CALIBRATION SAFETY ISSUE. OWNERS WILL BE RELUCTANT TO SPEND $130+ AT THE DEALER FOR CALIBRATION. LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS IS NOT EQUIPPED TO DO THE CALIBRATION. MUST BE A DEALER. I SPENT THE MONEY. I KNOW OF OTHERS WHO HAVE NOT. THIS VEHICLE HAS 49000 MILES ON IT. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS INFREQUENTLY USED. THE WARNING LIGHTS AND DISPLAY WENT OFF JUST AFTER SOMEONE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS SEAT SENSOR SYSTEM. LOTS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ONLINE ABOUT THE NEED TO RE-CALIBRATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
DRIVERS AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT. FRONT END CRUSHED, PROBABLY $20,000 DAMAGE TO FRONT END ALTHOUGH TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IT WAS TOTALED. WIFE WAS DRIVING AND COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF SEAT BELT HAD FAILED ALSO. *TR