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2013 Toyota Highlander Airbags Problems

15 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data

15
Complaints
1
Recalls
8
Crashes
Jan 2015Dec 2014
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Airbags Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #13V014000

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 (15)

criticalAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Filed: Jun 2025

Your driver side airbags (curtain and seat airbags) deployed suddenly while you were parking, even though you didn't hit anything. Toyota investigated but couldn't find a reason for the deployment in the vehicle's data and declined to help. This is dangerous because if it happened while driving, you could have lost control and crashed.

NHTSA #: 11667147
criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2025

Your curtain airbags (along the sides of the windows) deployed suddenly while driving in very cold weather (-10°F) at 75 mph, even though there was no crash or impact. The dealer was contacted but didn't diagnose or repair the problem. This could indicate a sensor malfunction or wiring issue that causes the airbags to deploy inappropriately in cold conditions.

NHTSA #: 11642557
mediumAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
CrashFiled: Apr 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND SWERVED TO AVOID A CAT, IT RESULTED IN CRASHING INTO A METAL TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER LEXUS SPOKANE1030 W 3RD AVE, SPOKANE, WA 99201: (509) 293-6074 BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DRIVER STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HER CHEST AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THERE WAS NO REPORTED FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA #: 11413557
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2020

MY PASSENGER AIRBAG KEEPS TURNING OFF DUE TO A SENSOR. I HAVE HAD IT FIXED, AND A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES LATER, IT WAS BACK ON!

NHTSA #: 11366430
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Sep 2019

I HAD A FRONT END ACCIDENT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I CAUSED REAR END DAMAGE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. ON SEPT. 2, I HAD ANOTHER FRONT END COLLISION. I RAN INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER THAT HOLDS LIGHT POSTS IN PARKING LOTS. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ME CHEST, BACK, AND NECK PAIN. THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I AM STILL IN PAIN DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT.THE FRAME WAS BENT IN FROM THIS COLLISION.

NHTSA #: 11253078
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Mar 2019

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED ON 4 OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CLAIMED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FINE, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE RECALIBRATED EACH TIME. NONE OF THE OTHER AIRBAGS ARE AFFECTED.

NHTSA #: 11184890
mediumAIR BAGS,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Oct 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT LEG, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. FURTHERMORE, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION IN OCTOBER OF 2018. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND WHEELS SEIZED ON THREE OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS MADE AWARE OF ALL THE FAILURES, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCES. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA #: 11142609
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2015

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT 4 TIMES FOR MESSAGE "CHECK SRS AIR BAG SYSTEM". THIS MESSAGE DEACTIVATES THE SIDE AIRBAGS FROM DEPLOYING. TOYOTA SERVICE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA SERVICE HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. 1) REST THE MESSAGE "CHECK SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM" 2) CHECKED SENSOR AND WIRING UNDER PASSENGER SEAT 3) CONSULTED TOYOTA ENGINEERS. THIS PROBLEM ALWAYS OCCURS UNDER THE SAME CONDITION. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. WHEN FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IS SEATED AND THE CAR IS STARTED THE MESSAGE "CHECK SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM" APPEARS. THE MESSAGE REMAINS UNTIL THE CAR IS RETURNED TO TOYOTA. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO THE WEIGHT OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WITH BOTH 120 AND 300 LBS FRONT PASSENGER. THANK YOU! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10705059
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

NHTSA #: 10682172
mediumAIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
CrashFiled: Jan 2015

I REAR ENDED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. DAMAGE MINIMAL TO HIS CAR. MY HIGHLANDER SUSTAINED OVER 10 THOUSAND DOLLAR FRONT DAMAGE. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10673101
mediumAIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
CrashFiled: Dec 2014

MY VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE, STRIKING DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE . THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $8000 WORTH OF FRONT END DAMAGE, HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. (FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO INJURIES). IN LIGHT OF CURRENT WELL-PUBLICIZED AIR BAG ISSUES, I ASKED MY DEALERSHIP IF THEY WOULD INSPECT MY VEHICLE TO ENSURE THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. THEY REFUSED, AND REFERRED ME TO TOYOTA CORPORATE. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE, EXPLAINED MY CONCERN, AND REQUESTED THAT MY AIR BAGS BE CHECKED OUT. TOYOTA CORPORATE REFUSED, AND SUGGESTED I SEND A LETTER TO THEIR CLAIMS DEPARTMENT. I SENT THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT A LETTER ON NOVEMBER 10, 2014, AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10664019
mediumAIR BAGS,SEATS
Filed: Jun 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NUMEROS ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO HAVE HER VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V148000 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V014000 (AIR BAGS , SEATS) HOWEVER, BOTH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT RETURN THE CONTACT'S PHONE CALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXHIBITED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10598229
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Apr 2014

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR NEAR THE DULLES TOLL ROAD ENTRANCE RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. SHE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE CAR AHEAD OF HER. NO BODILY INJURY TO EITHER PARTY. THE POLICE OFFICER WHO CAME TO THE SCENE SAID THAT IT WAS NOT MY WIFE'S FAULT AND HENCE, HE DID NOT ISSUE A TICKET TO MY WIFE. THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE IS $10,000. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTION WAS TOLD TO KOONS TOYOTA. THEY DID NOT NOTIFY THE NHTSB, NOR THE TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS. AFTER THE BODY SHOP WORK WAS DONE, KOONS TOYOTA DID NOT EVEN INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO CHECK ALL THE NECESSARY REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE PROPERLY. NO SAFETY INSPECTION WAS DONE. *TT

NHTSA #: 10583038
mediumAIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Feb 2014

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND CAME UPON A RED LIGHT, THERE WERE TWO CARS AHEAD OF ME, A LINCOLN AND A CHRYSLER. I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AT A DISTANCE, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED, I LOOKED DOWN TO MAKE SURE THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, AND IT SURE WAS, SO I HAMMERED DOWN ON THE BRAKE AND MY VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND CONTINUED TO RUN AT THE SAME SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE FAULTY BRAKE CAUSED A WITHOUT THE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. I KNEW THAT I DID NOT ACCIDENTALLY STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL BECAUSE IF I HAD DONE SO, THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE FATAL. I WOULD HAVE PUSHED THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME ONTO THE ON COMING TRAFFIC. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I TESTED OUT THE BRAKES, AND IT WAS AS IF EVERYTHING WAS ALRIGHT. EVEN THOUGH I HAD SEEN THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME, AND THE RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, MY VEHICLE DID NOT REACT TO MY BRAKES. THE LINCOLN AND THE CHRYSLER IN FRONT OF ME ALSO DIDN'T HAVE THEIR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10563582
mediumAIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Oct 2013

PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE - BRAKES APPLIED - CAR LURCHED FORWARD (UNINTENDED ACCELERATION) - BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE - CAR JUMPED THE CURB, CROSSED THE SIDEWALK AND HIT A TREE - AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10546569

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