I Was In a Serious Accident in My 2023 Toyota Highlander, and the Airbags Didn’t Deploy. Now I Have Nerve Damage and Other Health Issues
Is there a problem with the 2023 Highlander’s airbag deployment?
Veronica Hayslip on the Toyota Highlander Owners Club Facebook page says she was in a serious accident and her 2023 Toyota Highlander’s airbags did not deploy. Now, she is having health issues as a result of the vehicle’s faulty airbags. Here is what all Highlander owners need to know.
Veronica says, “I was in a serious accident with my 2023 Highlander, and my airbags didn’t deploy. I was injured. I ended up with a severe case of whiplash, bruises on my arms and chest, and I’m going to have some nerve damage.”
Imagine buying a new vehicle expecting it to be safe in the event of an accident. You checked the safety record with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) before purchasing the SUV, and it indicated that it’s a Top Safety Pick+ winner, the highest safety score.
You thought you and your family would be safe in the vehicle. It’s one of the reasons you bought the three-row SUV. However, the worst happens. Another driver hits your Highlander on the front passenger side, nearly head-on, and you are sent to the hospital in an ambulance.
After the doctor examines your injuries, you find out you will have nerve damage in your back and neck. Then they tell you it’s because your vehicle’s airbags did not deploy. You hit the steering wheel so hard that you’ll have injuries to deal with.
Why didn’t the 2023 Highlander’s airbags deploy? Was Veronica’s 2023 Highlander recalled for a faulty airbag problem?
Veronica says she did not get a recall letter from Toyota.
She says, “I didn’t get a letter specifically for that. According to the Kelly Blue Book, there are six recalls. Two of them were for the steering column involving the airbags’ deployment, with a malfunction in some wiring within the steering column.”
“It doesn’t say the recall is for my specific car. When I type in my Highlander’s VIN under the recall, it says 2021-2024 Highlanders are affected by this.”
Other Highlander owners have also experienced the same issue.
Dana Clifford Weigold says, “I have a 2023 Toyota Highlander also, mine did not deploy, but I was told that I didn’t get hit hard enough. Try telling my body that!”
Caitlyn Legros says, “My parents’ Highlander airbags didn’t go off either. Here’s a picture.”
Was the 2023 Toyota Highlander Recalled for Faulty Airbags?
There was a recall for specific 2023 Toyota Highlander and Toyota Highlander Hybrid models due to a potential issue with the airbag deployment system.
The Kelley Blue Book states that the issue was explicitly related to the driver’s airbag, which may not deploy in a crash if a spiral cable assembly in the steering column loses electrical connection.
This recall was part of a larger recall of over a million Toyota vehicles. Toyota has developed a solution for this issue and is offering free repairs once they become available.
Details of the Airbag Problem:
- Recall Scope: The recall included some, but not all, 2023 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid models, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Cause: The issue stems from a potential loss of electrical connection in the spiral cable assembly within the steering column.
Consequence: If the connection is lost, the airbag warning light will illuminate, and the driver’s airbag may not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Safety Risk: The non-deployment of the driver’s airbag during a crash could increase the risk of injury to the driver, according to Deseret News.
Recall Information:
- Initial recall: Toyota issued a recall (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 23V480000) for this issue, affecting certain 2023 Highlanders, Highlander Hybrids, and other Toyota and Lexus models.
- Incorrectly repaired vehicles: Toyota later identified that some vehicles repaired under the initial recall might have been incorrectly fixed.
- Second recall: Consequently, a second recall (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 25V040000) was issued for certain 2023 Highlanders that may have been incorrectly repaired under the prior recall, to address this issue again.
What Owners Should Do:
- Check if your vehicle is affected: You can determine if your specific vehicle is included in the recall by entering its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA website or by contacting your local Toyota dealership.
- Get the necessary repair: If your vehicle is affected, contact a Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the spiral cable assembly inspected and replaced if necessary.
- Free of charge repair: The inspection and repair, including parts and labor, will be done free of charge.
- Expect notification: Toyota is expected to notify owners of affected vehicles.
Important Notes:
- Not a “do not drive” notice: This recall is not a “do not drive” notice, and affected vehicles remain safe to operate. However, it’s recommended to have the issue addressed as soon as possible.
- SRS warning light: The driver’s airbag warning light (SRS warning lamp) may illuminate if the spiral cable connection separates, indicating a potential issue with the airbag system.
- Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor recall: Additionally, there is a separate Toyota airbag recall for specific 2020-2022 models, including some Highlanders, related to a faulty Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor that may prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying. However, this is a different issue from the 2023 Highlander driver airbag recall.
Conclusion:
In summary, while there were indeed airbag-related recalls for the 2023 Toyota Highlander (and other models), these issues have been addressed through recalls and free repairs. If you own a 2023 Toyota Highlander or Highlander Hybrid, it’s essential to check if your vehicle is affected by the recall related to the driver’s airbag and ensure that a Toyota dealer completes any necessary repairs at no charge.
It’s Your Turn
Have you been involved in an accident in a 2023 Toyota Highlander, and the airbags did not deploy? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out my Toyota Grand Highlander story: Toyota Dealer Speaks Out, “The Stop Sale On the Toyota Grand Highlander Was Tough On Our Customers, Some Moved On To Other Vehicles, and Some Waited It Out”
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you’ll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Veronica Hayslip
