FaultScore

2023 Toyota Highlander seat problems

13 of the 232 complaints about the 2023 Toyota Highlander are about the seats — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 39,000 miles.

B

13

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Seats 13 100.0%

Seats across every Toyota Highlander year

2013 10 30.3%
2022 10 30.3%
2023 13 39.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Martinez, CA

SEATS

we had a recall on this car for so long and the dealership is not providing remedy date for this recall

NHTSA complaint #11758727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Weatherford, TX

SEATS

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (SEATS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the second-row seat failed to lock in position as designed. The failure mileage was 39,000.

NHTSA complaint #11755412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylor, TX

SEATS

Unknown. Toyota has recalled the recliner assembly in the second row seats. My car has been at the dealership for more than 60 days waiting for a remedy. There is still not one listed yet. I cannot safely drive my car as I have 2 children at home that must be with me as a sole parent.

NHTSA complaint #11749845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wichita Falls, TX

SEATS

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid – Safety Recall Number : 26V128 My vehicle has been officially grounded since XXX due to a severe safety recall that renders it unsafe to drive. A permanent remedy or repair part is currently unavailable from the manufacturer, forcing me to drive a loaner vehicle for over two months now. My car sits in uncovered parking lot of the Dealership ( Toyota Rockwall Texas) since XXX under the hot summer temperature of Texas which can cause cumulative damage to my car. . This prolonged delay creates an ongoing safety risk. The manufacturer's inability to provide a timely fix leaves me with no choice but to transport my [XXX] son in a temporary vehicle daily. I am also pregnant with my second child who is due to arrive in 3 weeks who will also be transported using the loaner vehicle if problem is not fixed yet. This situation exposes my family to unpredictable risks, as the safety history, structural integrity, and child seat compatibility of the long-term loaner are not equivalent to my personal vehicle. The manufacturer is failing to resolve a critical safety defect within a reasonable timeframe. I am filing this complaint to urge NHTSA to investigate the manufacturer's unreasonable delay in providing a final remedy for this safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11749759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Harbor, FL

SEATS

My 2023 Toyota Highlander was grounded by the dealership on 4/30/26 due to safety recall 26TB06 (NHTSA Campaign 26V128) regarding a defective 2nd row seat back latch. The vehicle has been sitting un-remedied on the dealer lot for over 47 consecutive days. The dealership state they can't return the vehicle due to safety liabilities but have no estimated date for a remedy. leaving me stranded without my vehicle. The vehicle has been sitting completely idle on an outdoor lot. Per Toyota's manufacturing guidelines, leaving a hybrid vehicle sitting unused for more than 30 days risks severe high-voltage hybrid battery degradation and capacity loss. Because of the delay in remedy , my health of my vehicle is being actively damaged on my paid off hybrid powertrain. As a Disabled Veteran, Toyota's inability to provide recall safety parts has caused a severe, ongoing physical and financial hardship. By grounding my vehicle for over 47 days, I have been entirely deprived of using my state-issued Disabled Veteran's license plates. This strips me of critical, legally mandated toll exemptions, parking accommodations, and physical accessibility benefits that I require on a daily basis. Driving an inferior dealer loaner does not adequately remedy this disruption to my veteran benefits.

NHTSA complaint #11744416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northbrook, IL

SEATS

Toyota has an open safety recall/campaign for my 2023 Toyota Highlander, but the manufacturer/dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the recall in a timely manner. I am requesting NHTSA review the delay and lack of available remedy/repair.

NHTSA complaint #11744627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

New York, NY 1 injured

SEATS

The driver’s seat lower cushion in my 2023 Toyota Highlander provided inadequate support during normal driving, particularly on the left side of the seat cushion where support for my left leg and hip area appeared insufficient. This caused uneven seating posture, increased discomfort, pressure, and difficulty maintaining a proper driving position during extended periods of driving. The seat became increasingly uncomfortable during prolonged use and caused pain, numbness, and difficulty maintaining a proper driving position. I am a professional driver and spend many hours operating the vehicle. Over time, the lack of support contributed to left-sided sciatica symptoms that required medical evaluation and physical therapy. Medical records document that prolonged sitting in the vehicle aggravated my condition and limited my ability to sit and drive comfortably. An independent upholstery specialist inspected the seat and determined that additional foam had to be added to the driver’s seat lower cushion to improve support and comfort. After the modification, the seat became significantly more comfortable. This indicates that the original seat cushion support may be inadequate. I believe this condition may affect other vehicles of the same model and should be investigated as a potential safety concern because it can affect driver posture, comfort, concentration, and safe vehicle operation during extended driving.

NHTSA complaint #11741796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anchorage, AK

SEATS

Rear back seat unproper locking system. I have got rear ended while my kids were at back and I found out the rear seat slide a bit about couple inches. Dealership can't do anything of the recall at the moment.

NHTSA complaint #11737890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Weatherford, TX

SEATS

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11735776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waukesha, WI

SEATS

Received a safety recall stating "Seat Back Reclinging Assembly May Not Securely Lock". Based on this information, it goes on to state that "a seat back that has not been secured in a locked position may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash at certain speeds." Currently there are no remedies available but it is advised that "no one sit in or use the second-row seats while the vehicle is moving until the remedy is performed on the vehicle." In speaking to headquarters as well as mutliple dealerships, the only "solution" is to provide a rental car in the amount of $42/day and they would reimburse in 6-8 weeks. There is no current remedy date. That would mean there is an out of pocket cost of $1200+ a month, in which these funds are not available to our family. I am the primary caretaker for two small children who are in car seats and required to utilize the back seat/2nd row. Since I have been advised not to use it, my car is currently unsafe to use for its intended purpose. I have been given no other solutions at this time.

NHTSA complaint #11735183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alvin, TX

SEATS

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11733514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Doral, FL

SEATS

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11728763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Geneva, WI

SEATS

Car seats and booster seats for infants and children with the age and weight requirement for seats in a vehicle do not meet safety requirements. The second row and the third row you literally have to pick the car seat up to buckle the seatbelt in appropriately. I have asked on numerous occasions if there is a seatbelt extension that can be purchased and I was told no. My concern is for safety of children/infants. We should not have to pick a car seat or booster seat up after a child is placed in the car seat to be able to buckle the car seat in appropriately or the booster seat appropriately. In the third row, my son literally has to stand behind the hatchback to get the seatbelt for the booster seat in the third row Locked in place. This is a safety concern. I brought it up to two dealerships and Toyota’s customer complaint who actually gave me this website.

NHTSA complaint #11693766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2023 Toyota Highlander problems

← Full 2023 Toyota Highlander report