Recall Date: 03/05/2026
NHTSA ID: 26V128
Mfr. Campaign Number: 26TB06 / 26TA06
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: SEATS / SEAT BACK RECLINER ASSEMBLY
Potential Number of Units Affected: ~550,007
Toyota Vehicles Affected and What This Recall Means
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing has issued a safety recall for certain 2021–2024 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles.
The recall involves the second-row seat back recliner assemblies, which allow passengers to adjust the seat angle and lock it into position. Due to a supplier design modification, combined with spring orientation and component clearance, the recliner teeth may not fully engage when the seat back is adjusted.
If the locking mechanism does not fully engage, the seat back may fail to remain securely locked in place. In a crash, especially at higher speeds, an unlocked seat back could reduce occupant restraint effectiveness and increase the risk of injury.
The issue is related to recliner assemblies manufactured during a specific supplier production window before an enhanced inspection process was implemented.
What Drivers Need to Know
Toyota dealers will replace the return springs in the second-row seat recliner assemblies with improved components at no cost to vehicle owners.
Owner notification letters are expected to be sent between April 20 and May 4, 2026, with dealer notifications beginning March 5, 2026.
Drivers can check whether their vehicle is included in the recall by entering their VIN on Toyota’s website or by using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall lookup tool from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Toyota’s Recall History
Toyota’s recall activity has historically been driven by component-level issues identified through internal testing, supplier audits, or manufacturing quality checks. We go into depth on all major manufactures Recall trends in our latest quarterly recall report.
In this case, the issue was first detected during routine assembly plant inspections in October 2023, when engineers discovered a seat back that skipped a locking position during adjustment. Further investigation revealed a supplier design change implemented in 2021 that altered the mechanical relationship between the ratchet gear and locking pawl within the recliner mechanism.
Subsequent replication testing and field vehicle inspections confirmed that, under certain conditions, the seat back could fail to remain locked after adjustment.
While Toyota reported no customer complaints or injuries related to the condition, the company identified 10 field technical reports and 18 warranty claims associated with the issue prior to issuing the recall.
Large recalls affecting core family vehicles like the Highlander can significantly impact service operations due to the vehicle’s high sales volume and broad owner base.
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