Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 2% | 21,000 miles |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 0% | — |
| 2020 | 6 | 2% | 59,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% | 170,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 4% | 27,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% | 95,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% | 47,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% | 53,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 69,000 miles |
| 2008 | 9 | 2% | 83,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% | 88,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% | 150,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, and driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt alarm chimed while the seat belts were properly buckled. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and released and fastened the seat belt securely however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer a third time; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
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.
The Toyota highlander was advertised as a family vehicle that safely fits 7 passengers with the captain chairs. We purchased a brand new 2022 Toyota Highlander for our family of 5. However, you cannot safely install a booster car seat in the third flow as advertised in ANY position. In every position of the third row the booster car seat covers the buckle not allowing you to secure the seat belt/booster seat. The car manual show on page 58-59 to install the booster seat on the passenger side of the third row but there is not enough space. The second picture shows a car seat in the middle using an anchor bracket that does not work for a booster seat and thus would also obsure other seat buckles thus not allowing the two other seats to be used. Toyota told us to bring the vehicle to a fire station to have the car seats installed. …
The 2022 Toyota Hybrid Highlander is advertised as a family vehicle that safely fits 7 passengers with the captain chairs. We purchased a brand new 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for our family of 5. However, you cannot safely install a booster car seat in the third row as advertised in any position. In every position of the third row the booster car seat covers the buckle not allowing you to secure the seat belt/booster seat. The car manual show on page 58-59 to install the booster seat on the passenger side of the third row but there is not enough space. The second picture shows a car seat in the middle using an anchor bracket that does not work for a booster seat and thus would also obsure other seat buckles thus not allowing the two other seats to be used. The seatbelts are deep in the seat and cannot be brought up to be safely buckled. …
The contact's wife owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the audible seat belt chime sounded after the front passenger's side seat occupant had buckled the seat belt. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to the recall. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,080. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. the contact stated that while driving, the back driver side , the minor child occupant expressed an issue with the seatbelt which began to tighten, The vehicle was stopped to assist the minor child occupant, the seatbelt became tighter and the contact had to go into a store to get scissors to free the minor occupant from the seatbelt. The minor occupant sustained light abrasions from the seatbelt rubbing but no medical treatment was sought. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed of repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while her grandkids were attempting to latch the rear seat belts, the seat belts independently unlatched. The seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V877000 (Seat Belts). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the 2nd row passenger's side seat belt had started to fray at the top and near the buckle halfway through. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the seat belts needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Related recalls (3)
Seat belts › Rear/other › Anchorage
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the seat belt anchor with a new bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Seat belts › Rear/other
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander vehicles manufactured November 20, 2013, through January 18, 2014. The third row middle seat belt assembly might not have been properly secured to the vehicle floor anchorage during vehicle assembly.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row middle seat belt anchor, and, if necessary, properly secure it to the vehicle floor anchorage, free of charge.
Seat belts › Rear/other
Toyota is recalling 90,189 my 2008 highlander and highlander hybrid passenger vehicles equipped with a third row seat. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will install a newly designed seat belt component free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or about December 18, 2008. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (9), 2005 (6), 2019 (6), 2020 (6) and 2004 (5) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander seat belt problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-872 (anchorage, Dec 17, 2025); 14V-051 (rear/other, Feb 7, 2014); 08V-181 (rear/other, Apr 18, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 49% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (4 mentions), followed by the rear/other (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.