Recall 20V633 affects 3,121 2020 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs for incorrect front-seat trim covers. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 3,121 2020 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles because incorrect front seat trim covers can stop the seat-mounted side air bags from deploying properly. Improper air bag deployment increases injury risk in a crash, and Toyota dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat assembly in the 2020 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid includes the seat frame, cushion, trim cover, and a seat-mounted side air bag. That air bag is built into the side of the front seat and is designed to open through a specific seam in the seat trim during a side-impact crash.
On affected vehicles, a supplier installed incorrect trim covers on one or both front seats. The cover is not just cosmetic. If the wrong cover or seam pattern sits over the air bag path, the air bag can be blocked as it deploys. In a crash, that means the seat-mounted side air bag does not open the way Toyota designed it to open.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat can look normal, and there is no driver alert that confirms the trim cover is the wrong part.
Who's affected?
Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are tied to the same passenger front seat assembly, with seat and air bag components named separately.
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | air bag system |
| 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | seat assembly |
| 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | air bag system |
| Units affected | 3,121 |
A matching 2020 Toyota Highlander or Highlander Hybrid does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat-mounted side air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury in a crash. There is no warning sign before a crash exposes the problem, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Toyota Highlander or Highlander Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free front-seat inspection and seat-trim-cover replacement that lets the seat-mounted side air bag deploy properly.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V633 when you call.
- Ask Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 for help finding a dealer or confirming Toyota recall 20TB14 / 20TA14.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician inspects the front seats and replaces the seat trim covers if the installed covers are incorrect. The inspection and any needed seat trim cover replacement are free under recall 20V633. Toyota has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid out of pocket for this same seat trim cover repair before the recall notice, ask Toyota customer service or the dealer service desk what documentation Toyota needs for a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 14, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| October 14, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 11, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 13, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 13, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V633?
Recall 20V633 covers 3,121 2020 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles with incorrect front-seat trim covers. The covers can stop a seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly, increasing injury risk in a crash. Toyota dealers inspect the front seats and replace the covers for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Toyota Highlander or Highlander Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V633. If it is, call a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for the front-seat inspection under recall 20V633. The dealer will replace the seat trim covers at no charge when the inspection shows they are needed.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Toyota to repair the defect at no cost, and Toyota's remedy says dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers free of charge. Use Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 if you need help scheduling.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V633?
The safety risk is improper side-air-bag deployment during a crash. Incorrect trim covers on one or both front seats can interfere with the seat-mounted side air bag, which increases the risk of injury. The repair path is a free Toyota dealer inspection and cover replacement when needed.
What if I bought my Toyota Highlander used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2020 Highlander or Highlander Hybrid is included, then give recall 20V633 to the Toyota dealer when you schedule the inspection.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V633000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V633 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V633000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →