2005 Toyota Highlander Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 224 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,108miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 224 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,108 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On 7/23/2011 I was at a complete stop in my vehicle. I was hit from behind by a car traveling 70mph+ and pushed into a car in front of me. The air bag light went off, but air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11039870, filed 2017-10, 84,000 miles“We were involved in a horrible accident. A motorcycle was speeding and crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. The door was severely bashed in, the steel frame of the vehicle was bent, and the floor was coming up. I called Toyota to ask why the side curtain airbag did not deploy. Two different people took reports. Today they called me and told me that they would only deploy if there was a severe intrusion, enough for people to be hurt. I was hurt (back and head) and my little cousin suffered a nosebleed. He also said the most important safety feature is seatbelts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10433058, filed 2011-10, 52,015 miles“Involved in thee car t-bone collision that caused several injuries to upper and lower extremities. The air-bag failed to inflate. Vehicle was in motion at a controlled intersection on a rural road and turning left.”
NHTSA complaint #11083391, filed 2018-04, 94,000 miles“The side airbags failed to deploy. The Toyota Highlander was initially struck on the front passenger side near the front end of vehicle. The vehicle was then struck (t-ed) on the driver's side by a large pickup truck (approx speed 60 MPH). The impact dented the doors to the seats and both driver's side doors would not open due to the impact. Vsc, ABS were engaged as evidenced by the panel lights on at the end of thee crash, however no airbags deployed resulting in traumatic brain injury (closed head injury), post concussive syndrome, grand mal seizure, retrograde amnesia for driver. …”
NHTSA complaint #10312395, filed 2010-02, 56,000 miles“Who do I need to speak with reference ease of rollover of the Toyota Highlander and the fact that the air bags did not open at all when I was flipped over three times? The speed was not a factor I was doing 25 miles when broadsided by a 87 ford ranger going 25, which hit the driver door low impact on the Highlander sent my Highlander airborn flipping and spinning. The prince william police have the reports on the accident. The Highlander is in state farm hands now. The accident happened on may 14th in prince william county on route 1.”
NHTSA complaint #10146697, filed 2006-01Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10227898Nov 23, 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10132149Oct 21, 2013Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. Please note the following information for…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 32 | 12% |
| 2021 | 42 | 8% |
| 2020 | 32 | 10% |
| 2019 | 14 | 3% |
| 2018 | 19 | 7% |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% |
| 2016 | 10 | 9% |
| 2015 | 8 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% |
| 2012 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 6% |
| 2008 | 58 | 14% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 9 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 10 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Highlander
51 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology