2023 Toyota Highlander

I own a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE, purchased new in 2023, with approximately 55,000 miles. My vehicle is affected by NHTSA Safety Recall 26V-128 concerning the second-row seat recliner assemblies/return springs. Toyota advised that the second-row seat backs may not properly lock into position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. I received Toyota’s recall notification in approximately April 2026 stating that a remedy was not yet available. Because I regularly transport my children in the second row using child safety seats, I took the safety concern seriously and presented my Highlander to my Toyota dealership on May 1, 2026. The dealership has retained my vehicle continuously since May 1 because the recall remains unresolved. Toyota/dealership has provided rental vehicles, which I have had to periodically exchange. Each exchange requires transferring and reinstalling my children’s car seats and transferring the safety equipment and other belongings my family normally keeps in our vehicle. As of August 23, 2026, my Highlander has been unavailable to me for approximately 114 days. On August 23, I called Toyota’s corporate recall line. The current recorded message continues to state that Toyota is preparing a remedy, that dealerships will replace the return springs free of charge when available, and that owners will be notified when the remedy becomes available. I am submitting this complaint because my vehicle has remained unavailable since May 1 due to an acknowledged safety recall for which Toyota still has no available remedy. I am requesting that NHTSA document and review the length of time this recall has remained without an available remedy and Toyota’s handling of affected owners.

Some times when I request the rear hatch to open is does nothing but most of the time when I depress the close button, it moves less than an inch and then beeps. I have had to depress the button up to 6 times before the hatch closes. The car is only 3 years old as of this month and the problems stated more than 6 months ago but my mileage was over 36,000 6 months ago so it was out of warranty. This is a joke since my 12 year old suv has no issues with its powered hatch. There are a lot of online complaints on the power hatches. It is a safety issue of the hatches don’t close. This is almost a daily challenge (it not closing when I ask it to be closed (fob, rear hatch button as well as dash hatch button).

While driving down the highway I went over a bridge joint and my sunroof suddenly exploded sending glass both into and off the back of the vehicle. I was able to find the moment of the explosion on my rear dashcam (saw the falling glass) and checked the front dashcam for any evidence of an object that would have impacted and did not find any. Neither I or my two passengers saw an object hit. The front dashcam also confirmed rough pavement near the bridge joint that would have caused some vibration in the vehicle.

I bought this vehicle new in March 2024. I normally use Apple CarPlay for music and more importantly maps. Approximately 1 year after purchase, I was driving along and all of a sudden a new screen appeared with a keyboard requesting that I sign in with my email address. To clear the screen, I had to hit the small "X" in the upper right hand corner of the screen. That cleared and then a new screen appeared in blue saying "Experience Drive Connect" and asking me to subscribe to their software service for navigation and other services. To get back to the map on Apple CarPlay I had to hit another button on the upper left of the screen. I will upload screenshots. This is a safety issue not only in losing the map but more importantly it takes my eyes off the road to resolve (the buttons are small and not easily pushed while driving.) This happens multiple times a day in short around town drives. I googled this on line and noted many complaints by Toyota owners for the same problem. So I asked the mechanic yesterday when I had the car serviced if he could disable the Experience Drive Connect so i wouldn't have the problem. He laughed and said it's a common complaint by customers and that it's "hard wired" in and cannot be disabled unless you call Toyota and purchase their monthly plan for $15/month or $20/mo for the premium version. This is not only a scam but it's an unsafe feature that could be disabled if Toyota chose to make a software change. I urge you to use your influence to correct this unsafe and unethical feature of their otherwise excellent vehicles.

The vehicle's tailgate motor has started to malfunction and is failing prematurely. When opening the tailgate it makes a loud squealing noise. When attempting to close utilizing all automatic features it will stop and beep twice. After multiple attempts the tailgate remains open is unable to be closed via automatic means. This is a safety issue as it compromises the closing an opening functionality if the tailgate itself and could lead to unsecured tailgates or vehicles with an inability to close their tailgates.

Air bags did not deploy during accident Black box did not record any incident occurred and vehicle was totaled vehicle black box data was downloaded by manufacturer representative accident report was submitted On October 28 2025 a deer ran in front of us and we hit it at approximately 55mph vehicle was determined to be totaled after insurance adjuster reviewed Sheriff deputy and tow truck driver both said air bags should have deployed. Upon receiving the pdf file of black box raw data, it states that no incident happened. I asked a relative who works for a major airline manufacturer and the opinion of their analyst for data recorders is that the computer seems to have been defective. Toyota however states the accident did not meet the parameters to register an incident. I find this answer highly suspicious at best.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Emission Recall Remedy not available. 2.3 in display of the instrument panel may be blank at start up. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?/operating the vehicle with this display blank reduces the ability to see certain malfunction indicators remedy not available. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, dealership Toyota of Anaheim and Buena Park. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, Toyota Of Anaheim and Buena Park. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None

Tailgate struts failed within 2k miles of the 3/36k warranty. Even with the power back door feature "off", the struts are not simply converted to normal manual hydraulics. To lift the gate and close the gate it takes significant effort and I injured my shoulder while trying to lift it while holding items I didn't want to get wet on the ground during a rain event.