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2016 Toyota Highlander Airbags Problems

10 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data

10
Complaints
6
Crashes
Mar 2017Oct 2016
Date Range

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

Owner Complaints (10)

criticalAIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CrashFiled: Oct 2025

You were involved in a two-car rear-end collision at approximately 50 mph after hitting the car in front of you, and your vehicle was then struck from behind. Your Highlander sustained significant front-end damage including a folded hood, missing grille, and pushed-back radiator, but neither the front airbags nor any side curtain airbags deployed during the crash. You're concerned that the airbags should have activated given the severity of the impact, and worry this compromised your safety. Diagnosing why the airbags failed to deploy will require a detailed inspection of the airbag system sensors and wiring, though the vehicle has since been deemed a total loss.

NHTSA #: 11695898
criticalAIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
CrashFiled: Aug 2023

Your brakes have been unreliable since you bought the car new in 2016—sometimes they don't respond when you press the pedal, even after multiple brake checks found nothing wrong. In November 2022, your wife's brakes completely failed to engage during braking, causing her to rear-end another vehicle; the airbags didn't deploy and she was injured. You've also experienced brake failures at stop signs and red lights, though the dealership hasn't been able to identify the issue. This will likely require a complete brake system inspection and possibly replacement of hydraulic components, brake lines, or the ABS system.

NHTSA #: 11540443
criticalAIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Jun 2023

Your brakes failed to work when you were backing out of your driveway in January 2023. You've taken your vehicle to dealerships multiple times over the past 4 years for this issue without getting it resolved. This is a serious safety concern that needs immediate attention, as brake failure can prevent you from stopping your vehicle.

NHTSA #: 11526729
mediumAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS
Filed: Jul 2019

DOES NOT HAVE ANY SIDE AIR BAG MOUNTED PASSENGER DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DRIVER ALL THE ROW FILTER IN THE GUIDE DOES NOT HAVE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK.

NHTSA #: 11229636
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2019

TAKATA RECALL'DASHBOARD AIRBAG ICON WILL NOT RRSET

NHTSA #: 11203780
mediumAIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Sep 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (KENNY KENT TOYOTA IN EVANSVILLE, IN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,600.

NHTSA #: 11030387
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Mar 2017

TAKATA RECALL.

NHTSA #: 10958333
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Oct 2016

I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON MY CAR GOING 50 TO 60 MPH I THE ROAD CURVED AND I DID NOT I WENT INTO THE TOP OF THE DITCH HIT FRONT END AND WENT AIRBORN 30 TO 50 FEET IN THE AIR OVER THE PERSONS DRIVWAY. I LANDED ON MY BACK BUMPER WHICH THEN PROPELLED ME BACK INTO THE AIR AND I FLIPPED END OVER END LANDED ON MY TIRES. NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE OFFICER AT THE SCENE WAS SHOCKED. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL THE HEAD REST BROKE I HET IT SO HARD AND THE B PILLAR OF THE CAR. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA #: 10919975
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Oct 2016

I OWN A 2016 HIGHLANDER LIMITED PLATINUM AND AFTER A MAJOR ACCIDENT I HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY CLAIMS. YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS IN A ROLLOVER (2 FULL ROTATIONS) ACCIDENT IN HER 2016 HIGHLANDER PLATINUM. CAR WAS DESTROYED, HER HEAD HIT BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE B-PILLAR, BOTH HAVE AIRBAGS. NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE AIRBAGS, DRIVER KNEE AIRBAG, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT-CUSHION AIRBAG AND ALL-ROW ROLL-SENSING SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS = ALL A TOTAL FAIL, NONE OF THAT WORKED. THE ONSTAR LADY DID HOWEVER SENSE THE ACCIDENT AND DISPATCH AN AMBULANCE AND POLICE, THAT WAS EXCELLENT. WHATEVER CAR I GET AS A REPLACEMENT WILL DEFIANTLY HAVE THAT. NOT REAL HAPPY ABOUT THE SAFETY ON THIS VEHICLE. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WAS THE IIHS RATING ON THE VEHICLE. RIGHT ON THERE SITE IT TALKS ABOUT THE SAFETY AND THE AIRBAG ROLL SYSTEM BUT THE REALITY IS IN A ROLLOVER THIS DID NOT WORK I WILL HAVE THE ACCIDENT SCENE PICTURE LATER TODAY. I CURRENTLY ONLY HAVE SOME OF THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS TOWED.

NHTSA #: 10918511
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Mar 2016

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE 2016 HIGHLANDER HIT THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT THAT HAD SLOWED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON 1-25-16 AND THE CAR WAS TRANSPORTED TO A TOYOTA AUTO BODY SHOP ON THE 26TH. SINCE THEN HIGHLANDER HAS BEEN TOTALLY REPAIRED EXCEPT FOR THE SIDE AIRBAGS. TOYOTA MOTOR IN CA HAS NO IDEA WHEN AIRBAGS WILL BE RELEASED FOR USE IN PARTS ON 2016 MODEL. IT IS NOW 3/21/16.

NHTSA #: 10850747

Other 2016 Toyota Highlander Issues