Recall 26V128 affects 550,007 2021-2024 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles with seat backs that fail to lock. Free repair at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 550,007 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles because the second-row seat backs can fail to lock during adjustment. An unlocked seat back can fail to properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing injury risk; Toyota dealers will inspect and repair the seats free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The second-row seat back recliner in 2021-2024 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles is the mechanism that lets the seat back move and then lock at the selected angle. Inside the recliner, a guide, ratchet gear, pawl, return spring, and locking spring work together so the seat back stays fixed after adjustment.
In affected vehicles, a supplier design change altered the clearance between the recliner guide and ratchet. The spring forces no longer stay balanced, so the pawl teeth do not fully bite into the ratchet teeth when the seat back is adjusted. If the seat back is not locked, it can move in a higher-speed crash and fail to properly restrain the occupant.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat back can appear adjusted after use, but the problem is inside the recliner engagement, so owners should treat any loose or shifting second-row seat back as a dealer issue.
Who's affected?
Covers both Highlander and Highlander Hybrid across the 2021-2024 model years, with the same right-hand second-row seat-back frame tied to each vehicle group.
| 2022 Toyota Highlander | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2023 Toyota Highlander | seat assembly |
| 2024 Toyota Highlander | seat assembly |
| 2021 Toyota Highlander | seat assembly |
| 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | seat assembly |
| 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | seat assembly |
| 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | seat assembly |
| 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 550,007 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 28 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat back that does not lock can fail to restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Before each trip, confirm the seat back is fully locked and schedule the recall service promptly if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2024 Toyota Highlander or Highlander Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free return-spring replacement that corrects the second-row seat back locking problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V128 when you call.
- Confirm each second-row seat back is locked before driving until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies. The work addresses the second-row seat backs that can fail to lock during adjustment. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you've already paid for a related seat back recliner repair, Toyota's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how to submit them under this campaign.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 5, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| March 5, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V128?
Recall 26V128 covers 550,007 2021-2024 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles with second-row seat backs that fail to lock during adjustment. A loose seat back will not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing injury risk. Toyota dealers will replace the seat-back recliner return springs for free.
What should I do if my 2021-2024 Toyota Highlander or Highlander Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Highlander or Highlander Hybrid is included in recall 26V128. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule replacement of the return springs in the seat-back recliner assemblies. Reference recall 26V128 or Toyota numbers 26TB06 and 26TA06 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Toyota to repair this safety defect at no cost, and Toyota's remedy says dealers will replace the return springs in the seat-back recliner assemblies free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is poor occupant restraint during a crash. If a second-row seat back fails to lock after adjustment, it will not hold the occupant as designed in a collision, increasing injury risk. Until the repair is complete, make sure the seat back locks before carrying a passenger there.
What if I bought my Toyota Highlander used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Highlander or Highlander Hybrid is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer with recall 26V128 or Toyota numbers 26TB06 and 26TA06.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V128000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V128 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V128000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →