Toyota Recalls 550,000 2021–24 Highlanders Over Rear‑Seat Lock Defect

Toyota is recalling roughly 550,000 2021–2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs in the U.S. because a supplier defect in second‑row seat recliner mechanisms may prevent the seat backs from locking properly, increasing the risk of injury in a high‑speed crash. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notice, assembly teeth in the recliner can fail to fully engage when the seat is adjusted, leaving the seat back unsecured even though it appears set. The problematic recliner assemblies were produced by Toyota Boshoku Indiana, and Toyota says it first spotted the issue during an October 2023 plant inspection and later learned in July 2024 that the supplier had made an uncommunicated design change, prompting a February decision to launch a voluntary safety recall. Owners will begin receiving notification letters on April 20 and can take affected vehicles to dealers, which will replace the recliner hardware free of charge under recall numbers 26TB06 and 26TA06. The company told regulators it cannot yet estimate how many of the recalled vehicles actually contain the defect, but regulators warn any unsecured seat back may fail to restrain occupants in a serious crash.