Toyota Highlander airbag sensor recall: what it is, who’s affected, and what to do

Toyota has issued a recall for the front passenger airbag sensor on certain Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs, primarily affecting 2020–2021 models in the United States. The recall addresses a fault in the front passenger seat’s Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor that can short-circuit, potentially preventing the airbag from deploying in a crash. Owners are advised to check their VIN and have the fix performed free of charge by a Toyota dealer.

What the recall covers

The campaign centers on the front passenger seat’s Occupant Classification System (OCS), sometimes called the “airbag weight sensor.” This sensor determines whether the passenger airbag should be enabled based on the presence and weight of a passenger. Toyota found that, in some vehicles, the OCS sensor could short-circuit. If that happens, the system may switch off the passenger airbag, illuminate an SRS warning, and display a “Passenger Airbag OFF” indicator even when an adult is seated.

In practical terms, a faulty OCS sensor could increase the risk of injury to a front-seat passenger if the airbag doesn’t deploy when it should in a crash. The recall remedy is to replace the affected OCS sensor (and recalibrate the system) at no cost to the owner.

Which Highlanders are affected

Toyota’s U.S. recall announced in late 2023 covers approximately 1.0–1.1 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles. That population includes select Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs—most commonly from model years 2020 and 2021—equipped with the affected OCS sensor. Exact coverage varies by VIN, build date, and market.

• Primary U.S. coverage: certain 2020–2021 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid
• Nature of defect: front passenger seat OCS sensor may short-circuit, disabling the passenger airbag
• Owner notifications: dealer campaigns began after the December 2023 announcement; most notification letters were mailed in early 2024
• Global context: similar campaigns may exist in other markets; details depend on local regulators and production batches

Because not every Highlander in those years is affected, the definitive way to confirm coverage is to run your VIN through Toyota’s or NHTSA’s recall lookup tools. Older Highlanders may also have separate airbag-related recalls (for example, inflator campaigns), which are different from this OCS sensor issue.

How to tell if your vehicle may be impacted

While many vehicles show no symptoms, certain warning signs can indicate an OCS sensor fault. If you see any of the following, schedule service promptly and avoid seating an adult in the front passenger seat until inspected.

• SRS/Airbag warning light illuminated on the instrument cluster
• “Passenger Airbag OFF” light illuminated with an adult seated in the front passenger seat
• Intermittent or inconsistent airbag status messages related to the front passenger seat

Even without symptoms, your vehicle can still be under recall. The absence of a warning light does not guarantee the sensor is unaffected.

What Toyota dealers will do

Dealers have a prescribed remedy for vehicles confirmed to be in the recall. The work is performed free of charge, and any Toyota dealer can complete it.

• Confirm recall eligibility by VIN and inspect the front passenger seat OCS
• Replace the OCS sensor (and any related components if required)
• Recalibrate the Occupant Classification System per factory procedure
• Verify proper operation of the SRS and update records showing the recall is complete

The service typically takes a few hours, depending on dealer workload and whether parts are in stock. If parts availability is constrained, the dealer can advise on timelines or provide alternatives.

How to check your VIN and book the repair

To get a definitive answer for your specific Highlander, use the official recall lookup tools and then schedule with your preferred Toyota dealer.

• Check your VIN on Toyota’s recall site: toyota.com/recall
• Or use the government database: nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.)
• Create/log in to your Toyota Owners account at owners.toyota.com to see recall status and service history
• Call Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 (U.S.) or your regional Toyota support line
• Once confirmed, book an appointment; the repair is free under the recall

If the lookup shows no open recalls, keep the confirmation for your records and recheck periodically; campaigns can expand or be updated over time.

Safety guidance until serviced

If your vehicle shows an airbag warning or a “Passenger Airbag OFF” light with an adult passenger seated, take extra precautions until the recall repair is completed.

• Avoid seating an adult in the front passenger seat if the system indicates the airbag is OFF
• Seat passengers in the second row and ensure proper seatbelt use
• Schedule service promptly and inform the dealer of any warning lights observed

These steps reduce risk while you await inspection or repair.

Why this recall matters

Modern airbag systems rely on accurate occupant detection to balance protection and safety for different passenger sizes. A faulty OCS sensor can misclassify an adult passenger, preventing the airbag from deploying in a crash. Addressing the sensor defect restores the intended safety performance of the front passenger airbag system.

The bottom line

The Toyota Highlander airbag sensor recall targets the front passenger seat’s OCS sensor on select vehicles—most notably certain 2020–2021 models—because the sensor can short-circuit and deactivate the passenger airbag. The fix is a free dealer replacement and recalibration. Verify your specific Highlander with a VIN lookup at toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls, and schedule repair if your vehicle is covered.

Summary

Certain 2020–2021 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs are under recall for a faulty front passenger Occupant Classification System sensor that can disable the airbag. Dealers will replace and recalibrate the sensor at no cost. Check your VIN through Toyota or NHTSA, watch for SRS warning lights, and avoid using the front passenger seat if the airbag shows as OFF with an adult seated until the repair is completed.