2023 Toyota Highlander

I am submitting this complaint regarding NHTSA Safety Recall 26V128 involving my 2023 Toyota Highlander Limited. The recall concerns the second-row seat recliner assemblies, which may not fully lock after adjustment. Toyota states that an unsecured seatback may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash and that dealers will replace the return springs with improved ones at no cost. I brought my vehicle to Larry H. Miller Toyota on June 12, 2026 specifically for this safety recall. The dealership has had possession of my vehicle continuously since that date. As of November 8, 2026, nearly five months later, the recall repair has still not been completed and I remain without my vehicle. I am particularly concerned because Toyota's updated September 9, 2026 recall notice stated that owners in the expanded recall population would be notified by late September 2026. I have still not received this notification or a completed recall repair. Toyota's VIN-specific recall lookup continues to show “Safety Recall 26TA06 (Interim Notice 26TB06)” and “Remedy Not Available,” which appears inconsistent with Toyota's public recall information describing the remedy and stating that owners would be notified by late September. I contacted Toyota corporate regarding the unresolved recall. Toyota's Dispute Resolution department denied my request for assistance based on my expired New Vehicle Warranty. However, my concern is an unresolved federal safety recall, not a routine warranty repair. I am asking NHTSA to investigate why my vehicle has remained at the dealership for nearly five months without the recall being completed, why I have not received the notification Toyota stated would be sent by late September, and why Toyota's VIN-specific system still states “Remedy Not Available.” Please let me know what documentation you need so I can work on getting this together.

NHTSA ID

11776542

Incident

Jun 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V595000 (Electrical System) and 26V128000 (Seats); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the recall repairs. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The vehicle remained at the dealer for approximately six months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer opened a case regarding the failure.

NHTSA ID

11776147

Incident

Sep 11, 2025

During the past three years, I have experienced approximately 4–5 incidents in which the vehicle unexpectedly surged forward while I was lightly pressing the brake pedal to slow down, particularly when driving downhill or approaching a stop sign. During these incidents: •The vehicle unexpectedly increased speed instead of slowing down. •A red BRAKE warning light appeared on the dashboard. •I had to apply substantially greater pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. Fortunately, no accident has occurred, but this is a serious and recurring safety concern. I requested that Toyota investigate whether my 2023 vehicle has a related brake-control system defect. They ended up with the conclusion of not being able to duplicate the incident. Because this problem has occurred repeatedly and involves unexpected vehicle movement while braking, I consider it a serious safety defect.

NHTSA ID

11775751

Incident

Oct 8, 2026

Recall has not been fixed in a timely manner.

NHTSA ID

11772589

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

While depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of braking force, followed by a momentary forward surge/lunge before the friction brakes engaged.

NHTSA ID

11772322

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the parts required for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for another recall repair but was not serviced for the subject recall. The dealer confirmed that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide a remedy for the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue.

NHTSA ID

11771686

Incident

Oct 16, 2026

Brake lag with loss of brakes during transition from regenerative to hydraulic friction braking. The vehicle braking system cuts out causing the vehicle to freely move forward which has caused near rear-end collisions with other vehicles, and loss of brakes at stop signs and crosswalks. The vehicle has been inspected four times at local dealership between June 1 and October 6, 2026. Brakes have been bled and recalibrated, actuator assembly has been replaced, and defect persists. Dealership has not been able to replicate the problem during their limited time with the vehicle. There are no warning lamps or messages and no other symptoms prior to each failure. Began noticing issue in May 2026. The issue appears to be similar to what is described in T-SB-0059-23 for the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrids (and Siennas) which is titled "Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement" where there is a brake lag and momentary loss of braking sensation, and forward lurch/surge. Toyota has not issued a repair solution for the 2023 Highlander Hybrid, so there is no software calibration solution.

NHTSA ID

11770314

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

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. 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 ID

11769282

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

Some 2023 model year Highlander vehicles equipped with a T24A-FTS engine may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P042000 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1) present. The Engine Control Module (ECM) (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic has been modified to reduce the possibility of this condition.

Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips. This may be caused by the sealant in the roof channel obstructing the proper seating position for the clip gasket.

Some 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the rear underbody air conditioner tube and accessory assembly. The anti-corrosion material has been updated to reduce the possibility of this condition.

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

Some 2020 – 2023 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the Power Back Door (PBD) will not open or close and/or stops moving while opening or closing. A modified PBD unit assembly is available to address these conditions.

A new head unit software update is available for 2022 – 2025 model year Tundra, and Tundra Hybrid; 2023 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Mirai, and Sequoia Hybrid vehicles equipped with Toyota Multimedia versions earlier than version 2230.