2014 Toyota Highlander: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 136 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The radio keeps freezing up all the time along with the back tail light area going in and out. I keep smelling like burnt wire smell. Engine sound really rough.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · May 2026
“I noticed the smell of wires burning, a billow of smoke started emitting from the two levers used to heat the seats near the gear shift area. I was on the freeway and immediately pulled to the side of the road, turned off the car and called 911 before any flames were seen. There were no warning signs, lamps or other symptoms until the smell of burning wires and the smoke.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
“Was driving 70 mph on nj 287 when all sudden I hear something that sounded like implosion and air was coming from sunroof. Ended up being sun roof glass flew out of car sunroof frame. Toyota knew it was a defect as they did inspection but did not want to cover it because they said it's out of warranty. Thankfully no one was driving behind me at that time”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“Rear lights located both on the tailgate and body of the vehicle. The lights covers failed to remain adhered to the lights themselves and fell off and are partially adhered as a result of what appears to be a failure of the adhesion material . Two light covers may have been lost while driving. Unknown if their loss resulted in damage(s) to others. Without the outer cover results in the exposure of the lights to weather and potential failure. Review with Toyota of Orange service manager confirm the failure of adhesive/ manufacturing process of the lights”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2025
“The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the moon roof detached from the vehicle. There was no warning light and there was no impact to have caused the failure. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer had previously replaced a piece on the moon roof. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the moon roof glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2024
“Installed (4) Firestone Destination Le3 tires in March 2022. All four tires became dry rot in just over 2 years, failed inspection at 2 1/2 years. 70,000 mile tires with roughly 28,000 miles left of the warranty.”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2024
“Water leaks inside the car every time it rains. We checked the sunroof drain tubes. They are clear. It is getting in through the roof rail bolts. It runs down the pillars to the floor and underneath the floor carpet. The carpet is wet for long periods of time in rainy seasons. I am concerned there is going to be mold issues.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2023
“Some doors do not lock when the electric lock switch is pressed on the FOB or using the button on the door. Sometimes the doors that did lock don't the next time. This is a security issue while driving the vehicle and another security issue when parking. It's also a safety issue for the same reasons. The door's electrical locking system fails and needs to be fixed.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2023
“As other 2014 Toyota highlander: issues with the power liftgate/rear door. Have problems open and closing the rear door to the point that it's not working properly anymore. Toyota is not responding unless you pay around $4,000 to get it fix.There are plenty of cases like mine and for the 2010-2023 they had a class action suite for the same problem, resulting in a mass recall to correct the problem. Why is not a recall for this year as well.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2023
“Hi, the stereo sound on My Toyota highlander keep going in and out, I can start the car in the morning and the radio will work no problem but if I turn off the car or the radio sound or music will go away. after the car is off for about 3 to 4 hours period of time the sound will come back on when the vehicle is turned back on. This is the original Stereo system. Thank You”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the suspect fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles may have improper software installed in the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) for the operation of the front passenger seat belt force limiter, and as a result, the force limiter may use the restraint setting designed for small occupants, such as those that weigh approximately 110 pounds, for all occupants regardless of their size. As such, some of these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update in the air bag electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on June 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, through April 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have a second row right-hand seat assembly that does not fully lock into the inboard seat track in the forward first, second and third adjusting positions. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second row right-hand seat, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander vehicles manufactured November 20, 2013, through January 18, 2014. The third row middle seat belt assembly might not have been properly secured to the vehicle floor anchorage during vehicle assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row middle seat belt anchor, and, if necessary, properly secure it to the vehicle floor anchorage, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2014 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Highlander by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander reliable?
NHTSA has 136 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2014 Toyota Highlander. The most complained-about area is structure (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2014 Toyota Highlander problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 40,000 miles or less.
Does the 2014 Toyota Highlander have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.