Toyota has recalled more than three-quarters of a million Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs from model years 2020 through 2023 for the most embarrassing of reasons: their bumper covers and other front body panels can fall off in everyday driving.
It doesn’t happen out of nowhere. Toyota says a “minor impact to the lower front bumper cover during normal vehicle operation” can trigger the problem.
A low-speed impact can deform the push clips that secure the lower bumper cover, the engine under cover, and the fender liners. Scraping a post in a parking lot or another low-speed impact can leave them loosely attached. They could then “detach from the vehicle while driving, which could become a road hazard.”
Most automakers attach these parts with simple push clips. But most push clips are robust enough to handle a minor bump. On some Highlander SUVs, Toyota says, the mounting tabs that hold them in place can break off from minor impacts.
To fix the problem, dealers will “install retention hardware with an improved design” and replace any partially detached parts.
Recall repairs are always free.
Automakers recall many cars to fix safety defects, sometimes more than once. While automakers try to reach every owner to ask them to bring the vehicle in for repair, they rarely reach them all. Millions of vehicles on American roads need free recall repairs. To find out if your car is one of them, check the easy VIN tool at our recall center.
