Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% | 39,000 miles |
| 2022 | 14 | 5% | 28,000 miles |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% | 15,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% | 9,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% | 32,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2013 | 10 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 2% | 64,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% | 42,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 93,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% | 79,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% | 140,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% | 58,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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. …
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH with a child seated in the rear passenger's side seat with the seat back adjusted, while going around a roundabout, the vehicle was cut off by another vehicle, and the contact depressed the brake pedal aggressively to stop the vehicle. There was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the passenger's side second-row seat, and the seat back moved or readjusted from the previous position. The contact slowed down to approximately 5 MPH to avoid the crash. The child remained secured in the car seat. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (SEATS). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 27,500.
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 contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to lower the second-row seats, and the seat failed to lock into position and failed to recline as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer approximately five months later when a remedy became available, and the recall repair was attempted, but the dealer stated that the spring was replaced; however, the spring did not allow for the second-row seat to latch or lock securely. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,900.
My vehicle was rear-ended while stopped by a 2014 Toyota Corolla that was estimated to be traveling between 60-70 miles per hour. During the crash, the driver seat failed, resulting in the partially reclining into the second row passenger. The failure mechanism appears to be internal to the seatback, as the seat twisted during the failure, causing me to lean more towards the passenger side of the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while adjusting the driver's seat, the control was making an abnormal buzzing sound. The contact stated that the seat was not moving forward or backward, and the seat back was not moving forward or reclining as needed. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
My rear drivers side seat was not properly bolted down. I have been hearing a squeak for the past few years, that only went away when my child was sitting in the seat. We thought it was the car seat squeaking, but recently removed it since our child had grown big enough to no longer need it. I finally inspected the seat and noticed that the seat was moving when I put pressure on it. I took off the covers to the bolts on the front and noticed that I could literally remove them with my had. There was about a 1/16 to 1/8 inch of play in the seat. This is scary that my child has been riding in the unsafe seat for who knows how long. I do have videos of how loose they were, I could spin the washer freely.
Related recalls (5)
Seats › Mid/rear assembly › Recliner
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall.
Seats
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, through April 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have a second row right-hand seat assembly that does not fully lock into the inboard seat track in the forward first, second and third…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second row right-hand seat, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Seats
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 Highlander vehicles manufactured March 13, 2013, through August 6, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the second row left hand seat may not lock in place when positioned in the forward front or second adjusting position.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second row left hand seat so that it will lock into the seat track, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Seats
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…
Remedy: 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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2023 (20), 2022 (14), 2013 (10), 2019 (6) and 2021 (5) model years. Seat complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2023.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander seat problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 26V-128 (recliner, Mar 5, 2026); 20V-633 (seats, Oct 14, 2020); 14V-274 (mid/rear assembly, May 22, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 55% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › head restraint (2 mentions), followed by the front assembly › recliner (1).
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.