Toyota has initiated a recall affecting approximately 751,000 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs due to concerns that their front bumpers could potentially detach, posing a road hazard. The recall spans from the 2020 model year through 2023, encompassing both the gas-only Highlander and the Highlander Hybrid.
The issue centers around a resin front lower bumper cover with mounting tabs designed to secure it in place. Toyota warns that even a minor impact can dislodge these tabs, leading to the risk of the entire lower front bumper coming off, which can be a safety concern.
To address this problem, Toyota plans to inspect all the affected vehicles and, if any damage is found, will replace the bumper cover(s) and install retention hardware as needed. Even vehicles without visible damage will receive the retention hardware as a precautionary safety measure.
Toyota announced this recall in advance of any public filing with the NHTSA. Unfortunately, specific details about how Toyota discovered the issue and whether there have been field reports, warranty claims, or injury incidents related to this problem are not provided in the statement.
Owners of affected vehicles can expect to be notified by Toyota by late December. In the meantime, they can contact their dealer or visit NHTSA.gov to check for public documents regarding the recall to determine if their vehicle is included.
