Toyota Recalls Over Half a Million Highlanders Globally Due to Seat Back Concerns
PRINCETON, Indiana – Toyota is voluntarily recalling more than 550,000 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs worldwide due to a potential defect in the second-row seat backs, the automaker announced this week. The recall, impacting vehicles manufactured between 2021 and 2024, stems from a supplier issue that could compromise passenger safety in the event of a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been informed that the recline mechanism in the affected seats may not fully lock into place. According to the recall notice, if a seat back isn’t properly secured, occupants may not be adequately restrained during a high-speed collision, increasing the risk of injury.
The problem was initially identified during a quality control inspection at a Toyota assembly plant in October 2023. Further investigation revealed that Toyota Boshoku Indiana, the supplier of the recliner technology, had implemented a design change without notifying Toyota. This undisclosed alteration led to more extensive scrutiny and ultimately, the recall decision in February.
“If a seat back is not properly locked, it may fail to restrain occupants adequately during a high-speed crash, increasing the likelihood of injury,” the NHTSA recall notice stated.
While Toyota acknowledges the issue, the company currently “is unable to provide an estimate of the percentage of vehicles to actually contain the defect.”
The recall affects both the gasoline-powered Highlander and the hybrid Highlander models. Toyota Boshoku Indiana, based in Princeton, Indiana, manufactures the automotive interior components for both the Highlander and the Toyota Sienna.
Owners of affected vehicles will begin receiving notification letters on April 20, 2026. Toyota has designated recall numbers 26TB06 and 26TA06 for this action. Customers are advised to bring their vehicles to a Toyota dealership for a free repair, where the defective technology will be replaced.
This recall follows a similar pattern of automotive safety concerns gaining public attention. According to a recent report by USA Today, recalls are becoming increasingly common as automakers grapple with complex supply chains and advanced vehicle technologies.
Consumers with questions can visit Toyota’s recall information website at https://www.toyota.com/recall/ and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to determine if their vehicle is affected.
Edited by Alain Sherter.
