2011 Toyota Highlander Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 181 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 181 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I swerved to avoid hitting a deer. The car went onto the shoulder of the road and back onto the road. The side airbags deployed on both sides of the car. A large piece of plastic, at least 2ft. In length,flew off on the driver's side causing severe cuts,lacerations,and abrasions to my left arm - this required a trip the emergency room at a local hospital where my entire arm was treated. I can understand why the airbags deployed but cannot accept the fact that I was injured by flying plastic debris...updated 08/25/14 updated 09/2/2014”
NHTSA complaint #10617902, filed 2014-07, 26,500 miles“Front passenger airbag light off. Even when a person is sitting on the seat. Cruise control also stopped working, light wouldn't even come on. Power locking system also ceased working.”
NHTSA complaint #11246249, filed 2019-08, 64,000 miles“I hit a concrete post at roughly 30 MPH, dead center front of vehicle. The car was totalled, and none of the airbags deployed. I broke my neck due to the seatbelt holding my chest and torso back on the seat, while my head moved forward, all the way down and hitting the steering wheel. This head movement resulted in a complete break of my c2 vertebrae. This happened after entering the large area of a walmart parking lot from the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11405618, filed 2021-03“I was going about 40 mph on the Taconic Pkwy over the amvet bridge in the far left lane of the highway. Traffic was heavy and slowing down. It had st finished raining. I was hit on the rear right rear side by a F150 truck that caused me to slide into the guard rail on the left side of the road. The car spun out of control and slid three lanes and hit the guard rail on the right side of the road. Both front sides over the tail lights and the entire front were badly damaged. The side airbags activated but the front airbags failed to activate. Because of this failure I was badly injured. …”
NHTSA complaint #11454317, filed 2022-02“The contact complained about a 2011 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the driver was driving about 60 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the vehicle in front which stopped abruptly. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not lock in place (stayed loose). There was no warning. The driver sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact who was an independent mechanic stated that the vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11218881, filed 2019-06, 180,000 milesRelated 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…
- 10131852Mar 8, 2017Dealer Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
- 10131851Mar 8, 2017Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
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 2011 Toyota Highlander
35 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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