2014 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 136 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 5 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 6 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical systemNov 27, 2018
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).
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18E107000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsSep 19, 2014
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 14V576000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, mid/rear assemblyMay 22, 2014
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."
If the seat does not fully lock into the inboard seat track, the seat could move, increasing the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V274000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareMay 22, 2014
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."
In the event of a crash, a larger front passenger seat occupant may not be properly restrained and be at an increased risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 14V272000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherFeb 7, 2014
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."
A seat belt that is not properly secured to its anchorage could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V051000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
33 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2023
The lift gate will not open and close properly. It only works about 5% of the time.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 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
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2022
While driving the vehicle, the rear pane of the vehicle's moon roof spontaneously shattered into pieces. The moon roof has two basic components - the soft cover that lies under the glass moon roof and the 2-pane glass moon roof. Had the soft cover not been closed, the glass shards would have rained down upon the driver and passengers in the vehicle. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by an insurance adjuster, but there are numerous reports of this same problem occurring in other Toyota Highlanders on the internet. This issue appears to be being ignored by Toyota despite numerous reports across several model years of the vehicle. There were no warning signs of any kind issued by the vehicle before this occurred. This condition poses a serious threat to health and safety and should be addressed immediately by NHTSA.
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2021
This is a known problem with the Toyota Highlander where the Power Rear Door struts will not work in cold weather. They even issued a service bulletin but refuses to issue a recall on the defective parts. If the rear hatch refuses to close or open, it can be a safety hazard as these doors are very difficult to close and open manually as it requires a fair amount of strength to perform. From Toyota's own service Bulletin T-SB-0023-16: "Some 2014 – 2015 model year Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the Power Back Door is inoperative or stops during operation. In some cases this condition may be associated with cold weather."
Other or unspecified, May 26, 2021
Passenger door and rear left and right door doesn't lock or unlock with key fob, but can be locked and unlocked manually but if in a car crash and you have a child in the back seat it may creating a safety hazard if the doors are locked manually and you can't get your child out in a timely manner. I was told at the service center in Waldorf Maryland Toyota that it is a common problems, and there always changed on this make and model.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2021
BLUETOOTH FOR PHONE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY IN THOUSANDS OF TOYOTAS OVER MANY YEARS RENDERING HANDSFREE INOPERABLE. THERE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED LOUD ECHO IN THE PHONE HELD BY THE PERSON OUTSIDE THE CAR CALLING OR RECEIVING A CALL FROM THE CAR. THE CALL MUST BE TERMINATED AND THE DRIVER MUST USE THEIR HANDSET TO RECEIVE OR MAKE THE CALL. THIS IS WELL KNOWN BY TOYOTA AND IS A HUGE DISTRACTED DRIVING SAFETY PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY AND A RECALL ISSUED TO DO SO. THIS PROBLEM HAS GONE ON TOO LONG. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2014 HIGHLANDER FROM INCEPTION AND LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WE'VE GIVEN UP WAITING FOR THE FIX. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2021
MY POWERED REAR TAILGATE DOOR MALFUNCTIONS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO OPEN IT. ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON TO HAVE IT OPEN, IT CRACKS OPEN AND THEN STARTS BEEPING. THEN TO OPEN IT, I HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN IT BY HAND.
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2021
THE REAR LIFT GATE POWER STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 38000 MILES ON A 2014 VEHICLE. HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON TOYOTA FORUMS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2020
TAILGATE DOES NOT OPEN SOMETIMES. IT WILL DO A LONG BEEP. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPEN BUT NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPEN LESS THEN HALF WAY AND THEN DO A LONG BEEP.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2020
SHARDS OF METAL INSIDE TRANSMISSION PAN AT 74K MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT MPH, THE VEHICLES FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2020
AROUND 55,000 MILES DRIVEN, MY PANORAMIC ROOF STARTED LEAKING INTO PILLARS. IT CAUSED BOTH REAR DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WET AND CARPETS WET. MY ROOF LEAKS WHENEVER THERE IS RAIN. ROOF DOES NOT LEAK WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED DOWN HILL, BUT IT LEAKS WHENEVER CAR IS PARKED UPHILL. ROOF ALSO LEAKS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA, BUT THEY SAID I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LEAK SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY SAID I HAVE TO REPLACE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING INCLUDE SUNROOF.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2020
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AT 60 MPH, SOUTH BOUND ON RTE 495 SOUTH IN FOXBORO, MA AT 2:35 ON DEC 29, 2019. DRIVER HEARD A THUD ON THE ROOF, PULLED OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE, OPENED THE MOONROOF SHADE AND DISCOVERED THAT MOONROOF GLASS WAS GONE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF SHATTERED GLASS. DRIVER DID NOT SEE ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON THAT WAS DAMAGED OR INJURED. DRIVER WAS TRAVELING ALONE. ON INSPECTION REPAIR SHOP DID NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE TO ROOF OR WINDOW FRAME AND NO GLASS SHARDS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2019
THERE HAS BEEN A LEAK COMING FROM THE ROOF IN TO THE C PILLAR, CAUSING WATER TO GO IN TO THE CABIN UNDER THE CARPET. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2019
POWER BACK DOOR JUST BEEPS WILL NOT OPEN IN COLD WEATHER. MANUALLY OPENS,HOWEVER, IT'S A STRUGGLE TO OPEN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2019
ENTUNE RADIO/HEADUNIT (HU) REBOOT ITSELF WHILE IN A CALL. REBOOT OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED, DURING ANY DRIVING CONDITION. AS THE HU REBOOTS, DRIVER IS UNABLE TO USE REAR-VIEW CAMERA AND ANY OTHER FEATURE DISPLAYED IN HU. ROAD ATTENTION IS AFFECTED SINCE DRIVER IS DISTRACTED BY THE SCREEN GOING BLACK AND ON AGAIN. ALSO IF DRIVER IS IN A CALL HAS TO END CALL FROM THE PHONE AND CALL AGAIN USING THE PHONE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2019
THE REAR LIFT GATE WILL OFTEN NOT CLOSE CORRECTLY ON THE FIRST TRY. IT BEEPS AS IF SOMETHING IS IN ITS WAY AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. RECENTLY IT GOT STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION ANS IT HAD TO FORCIBLY BE CLOSED. NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS STATIONARY AND THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED BOTH WHILE ON AND OFF.
Other or unspecified, May 19, 2019
SPEEDOMETER NUMBERS ARE NOT VISIBLE TO THE DRIVER. THE NUMBERS INDICATING THE KILOMETER SPEED ARE TOO SMALL AND THE NUMBERS ARE NOT LIGHTED BRIGHTLY ENOUGH TO SEE. THE NUMBERS ARE NOT VISIBLE IN DAYLIGHT OR AT NIGHT. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN I AM DRIVING IN CANADA. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NO SOLUTION TO THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. PLEASE NOT THAT I HAVE EXCELLENT EYESIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2018
MY HIGHLANDER HAS HAD A TOTAL OF 14 (INCLUDING THE 4 ORIGINAL) DOOR ACTUATORS IN THE 4 PASSENGER DOORS. THE 1ST FAILED AT ABOUT 13K MILES. I HAVE ABOUT 75K MILES NOW. AS SOON AS (OR SHORTLY AFTER) A FAILED ONE HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE ISSUE TRAVELS TO ANOTHER DOOR. THAT PATTERN HAS CONTINUED TO REACH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTUATORS SO FAR. THE 15TH ACTUATOR WILL SOON BE INSTALLED. TOYOTA WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE ONCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, EVEN THOUGH IT ORIGINATED LONG BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. I DON'T BELIEVE THE ACTUATORS ARE ACTUALLY THE PROBLEM, BUT POSSIBLY WHATEVER COMPUTER OR DEVICE IS SENDING THE SIGNAL TO THE DOORS TO LOCK/UNLOCK. IT HAPPENS WITH EITHER THE REMOTE OR THE LOCKING CONTROLS ON THE DOORS ITSELF. I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY AND INCONVENIENCE ISSUE WHEN YOU CANNOT RELY ON THE DOORS TO LOCK OR UNLOCK UPON COMMAND. UPON LEAVING THE CAR, YOU'RE NEVER QUITE SURE IF THE CAR IS SAFELY SECURED. BEING THE PRIMARY DRIVER, I'M NOT CERTAIN IF THE AFFECTED DOOR DU JOUR IS LOCKING UPON PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE, WHICH COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE "BAD ACTUATOR" WILL ALSO NOT OPEN FREQUENTLY, WHICH IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE IF RAIN IS POURING AND YOU HAVE YOUR HANDS FULL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Other or unspecified, Oct 10, 2018
ONE DAY I FIND A WATER UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AND UNDER THE PASSENGER SEATTLE AND THE BACK SEAT TOO SO I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT DRAIN CLOGGED DUE TO A LOT OF RAIN AND DEBRIS AND THEY ASK ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE A LOT OF CARS PARK THERE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND I TOLD THEM I HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE CAR AND THEY SAID IT DOESN'T MATTER AND THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT WITH THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND THAT FLOOD CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR FIRE BECOUSE ALL THE WIRE THERE
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2018
THE BACK HATCH NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CAN'T ESCAPE OUT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. CAR IS PARKED WHEN WE TRY TO OPERATE THE HATCH.
Suspension, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2018
GPS/RADIO OFTEN TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. SCREEN COMPLETELY GOES BLANK AND KEEPS TRYING TO RESET ITSELF. VOICE COMMANDS OFTEN DON'T WORK WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. BLUE TOOTH OFTEN DOESN'T CONNECT WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. TAILGATE OFTEN DOESN'T CLOSE AND TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET TO WORKING AGAIN WHEN STATIONARY. SPONGY/BROKEN SPRING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR AS I DROVE OVER UNEVEN ROAD. REAR LEFT TAIL LIGHT ALWAYS FOGGY AND CONTAINS MOISTURE EVEN AFTER REPLACING IT. CHIRPING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT SIDE OF CAR WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON WINDY DAYS. WHEEL AND CAR SHAKING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT SPEED OVER 60 MPH.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2017
MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2014 HAS A HUGE SECURITY AND SAFETY ISSUE. ITS STEERING WHEEL JAMMED AND IT BECOME COMPLETELY DISABLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE WONT START AGAIN. IT HAS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES IN THE DASHBOARD. 1- 'EPS FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL IS HARDER TO TURN'. 2- 'THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED. PLEASE PUT THE SHIFT LEVER TO P'. 3- 'TRAC OFF' 4- 'BRAKE OVERRIDE SYSTEM FAILURE'. MY CAR HAD SAME ISSUE BACK AUG 2017 BUT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE SUCH ISSUE AND THE CAR STARTED NORMAL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF DIAGNOSTICS THEY PERFORMED BECAUSE I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WHICH HAS SIMILAR SYMPTOM AS THE RECALL ISSUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 15V14000) FOR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2015 MODELS. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SECURITY FAULT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS IDOL WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL JAMMED. ON BOTH OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2017
SUNROOF EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY 19 IN FLORIDA. THE TOYOTA COMPANY DENIED DEFECT AND I HAD TO HAVE REPAIR DONE USING MY INSURANCE. IF THE SUNROOF COVER HAD NOT BEEN CLOSED, PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULD HAVE HAD LOTS OF GLASS CAUSING INJURY OR AN ACCIDENT
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2017
THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS SO MANY ISSUES IT HARD TO LIST THEM IN THIS SMALL SPACE. IT WILL REBOOT MANY TIMES A DAY, SOMETIMES JUST TURNS IT SELF OFF AND HAVE TO PULL TO THE SIDE TURN OFF ENGINE AND IT WILL COME BACK ON. COMMUNICATION IS EXTREMELY POOR, IT LAGS BEING WHERE I AM, IT POOR AT FINDING ADDRESSES THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TOTALLY REDO THE SOFTWARE AND OFFER IT FOR FREE ITS SO BAD