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
136 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 12, 2018, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A SOUND, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND COULD NOT STOP WHEN PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE PARKING BRAKE. CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S YARD WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE CAR ROLL OVER. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO ME, A PASSERBY, OR NEIGHBOR'S CHILDREN.
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.
Suspension, Jun 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE MAKING TURNS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DAMAGED REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. *TT
Electrical system, May 11, 2018
EVERY SINGLE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING REMOTE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING TO NOT WORK. DOORS, AFTER FAILING, REQUIRED TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. THE DRIVER FRONT AND REAR FAILED ABOUT 39 MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE, THEN 3 MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT REAR ONE FAILED, AND NOW THE FOURTH AND FINAL ONE HAS FAILED.
Structure, May 6, 2018
LIFT GATE GET STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. I LIVE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SO IT'S NOT DUE TO COLD TEMPS. SOMETIME IT TAKE 10 TRIED TO CLOSE THE GATE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE TIME LATELY, SO I TRY NOT TO USE THE GATE. PUTTING IT IN A TURNING OFF THE SWITCH IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOES NOT HELP.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Apr 14, 2018, crash
I WAS T BONED ON PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN HEAD ON COLLISION. SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN- I INITIALLY HIT DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, WHEN T-BONED, THEN WITH FRONT IMPACT HIT STEERING WHEEL, ROOF AND CENTER CONSOLE. *TT *TR
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2018
LIFTGATE GETTING STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION MAKING IT A HAZARD TO DRIVE, NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. POWER WINDOWS BARELY CLOSE- REPORTED TO TOYOTA BUT CLAIMED IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE.
Electrical system, Feb 22, 2018
I HAVE THREE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN MY 2014 HIGHLANDER STARTING IN JUNE 2017 (RIGHT AFTER MY WARRANTEE EXPIRED): 1. THE ELECTRONIC LIFTGATE IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. WHEN OPENING, IT TAKES MULTIPLE (5-10) ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO OPEN ALL THE WAY UP. SAME WITH CLOSING THE LIFTGATE. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. 2. THE ELECTRIC PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY UNTIL YOU TRY TO CLOSE IT MULTIPLE (5-10) TIMES. IT GOES UP ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY, THEN OPENS AGAIN. I FOUND THAT IT WORKS QUICKER, AFTER 2-3 TIMES IF THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. VEHICLE CAN BE STATIONARY OR MOVING. 3. THE BLUETOOTH CONNECTING MY ANDROID PHONE STAYS CONNECTED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND THEN I HAVE TO INITIALIZE IT AGAIN TO MAKE IT WORK. VEHICLE CAN BE STATIONARY OR MOVING.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE AT THE DEALER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER (PRIME TOYOTA BOSTON, 1605 VFW PKWY, WEST ROXBURY, MA 02132) AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.
Structure, Jan 5, 2018
LIFT GATE WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE IN COLD TEMPERATURES. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER IN BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WE DO NOT WISH TO INJURE OURSELVES TRYING TO OPEN OUR BACK DOOR. THIS VEHICLE IS USED IN OUR DELIVERY BUSINESS AND IT IS NECESSARY TO FREQUENTLY USE OUR BACK DOOR.
Structure, Dec 20, 2017
POWER LIFT GATE WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AND LOCK WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND COLD AS STATED.
Structure, Dec 12, 2017
CHROME GRILL IS BUBBLING AND LOOKS LIKE IT'S GETTING READY TO PEEL. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND TAKEN CARE OF SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT WILL DEFINITELY LOWER THE VALUE OF MY CAR. MY HUSBAND NOTICED THIS ISSUE JUST RECENTLY WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE.
Structure, Nov 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR CLOSE THE LIFTGATE AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE MANUALLY AND HOLD THE LIFTGATE OPEN MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LIFTGATE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
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.
Suspension, Sep 8, 2017
I'VE PURCHASED 2014 HIGHLANDER ON JAN 2014. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERS ABOUT THE REAR NOISE STARTING IN 2014 AND ALL THEY COULD SAID WAS TO MAKE SURE THE JACK TOOL IS SECURED IN THE BACK. THEY COULDN'T IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE. TODAY I FOUND SB0016-16 AND HAD A DEALER CONFIRMED THE TRAILING ARM ISSUE. THIS IS PART OF THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. I CONTACTED TOYODA WITH CASE #1708260897 AND THEY SAID MINE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WON'T PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT DIDN'T MATTER IF THE ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED BEFORE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND BEFORE THIS BULLETIN SB0016-16 CAME OUT. THE REPAIR COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE $1,200.
Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2017
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE MELTING THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. BOTH SIDES ARE MELTING FROM THE HEAT OF THE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULBS. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED AT 37,000 MILES, AT 3 YEARS OLD. FACTORY INSTALLED PARTS, NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE ONLY OPERATING AT NIGHT, ABOUT 25% OF THE DRIVING TIME ON THE VEHICLE, SO THE MELTING OCCURRED WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES OF DRIVING TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN IT WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA, BUT THIS MELTING HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE DAY ONE. THIS DEFECT WILL AFFECT THE SAFETY OF NIGHTTIME DRIVING IN THE VEHICLE. WORKED FOR MONTHS WITH DEALERSHIP, UNSATISFACTORY RESOLUTION.
Structure, Jul 7, 2017
AFTER NUMEROUS ELECTRIC ISSUES WITH MY 2014 HIGHLANDER NOW THE REAR ELECTRIC LIFT GATE CYLINDERS ARE BAD. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THIS AM AND FOR $1550 THEY WILL REPLACE THEM WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UPDATED PART NUMBER AND CYLINDER. AS I HAVE READ I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IF THEY HAVE AN UPDATED NEW CYLINDER WHY DON'T THEY THE RIGHT THING AND REPLACE THE BAD DESIGN....UHGG I WANT MY OLD CHEVROLET BACK....
Vehicle speed control, Jun 28, 2017
WHEN USING THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL IT MAINTAINS A USER SPECIFIED TRAVELLING DISTANCE BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. WHEN THE VEHICLE CHANGES LANES, OR IS TURNING OFF, THE VEHICLE IS BARELY OFF THE LANE, BUT THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL STILL REACTS TO THE CAR THAT HAS EXITED THE LANE. THIS CAUSES MY TOYOTA TO REACT TO THE SLOWED VEHICLE THAT HAS JUST EXITED MY LANE BY SLOWING UNNECESSARILY, AND CAUSING VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO HAVE TO SLOW AND SOME TIMES GET IRRITATED BY THIS ACTION. I TOLD TOYOTA ABOUT THIS. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A FIX ON THE WAY, BUT NO ACTION HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. A TECH DROVE THE CAR ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HE OBVIOUSLY DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH, BECAUSE IF HE HAD, HE SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THIS ODD BEHAVIOR. IT HAPPENS SOME ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT IS MORE PRONOUNCED BEHAVIOR WHEN ON 2 LAND ROADS. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW.
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2017
THE ENTUNE RADIO HAS A BUG THAT CAUSES IT TO REBOOT RANDOMLY. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND RELYING ON THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR DIRECTIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT IS ANNOYING, DISTRACTING AND VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND IT APPEARS THAT RELOADING OR NEW FIRMWARE DOES NOT WORK WHICH IS WHAT TOYOTA RECOMMENDS. REFER TO THIS LINK FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.LANDERFAN.COM/ARCHIVES/ENTUNE-NAVIGATION-FREEZE-CRASH-REBOOT-FOLLOWUP/
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE BECAUSE IT HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR VARIOUS RATES OF SPEED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THEY HAD A SERVICE CAMPAIGN OR SOLUTION TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
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
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2016
STATIONARY VEHICLE. POWER REAR LIFT GATE WILL OPEN OR CLOSE ON DEMAND ONLY SPORADICALLY. IT MAY BEGIN TO OPEN OR CLOSE AND MOVE JUST SEVERAL INCHES, OR PERHAPS A FOOT. IT THUS REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO MANUALLY OPEN OR CLOSE THE GATE WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH ESPECIALLY FOR SMALLER OR ELDERLY PEOPLE AS THE RESISTANCE IS SEVERE, REQUIRING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND RISK OF INJURY. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY.
Visibility, Oct 31, 2016
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY KIDS, ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT AND THE GLASS FELL ALL OVER ME. *TR