VehicleVerdict

2014 Toyota Highlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2014 Toyota Highlander is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 158 owner complaints run below the Highlander median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 9 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (37), body & structure (34), and other (33), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

158

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

9

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Highlander years?

See all Highlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Toyota Highlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3723%
Body & Structure3422%
Other3321%
Visibility & Wipers96%
Transmission85%
Tires & Wheels64%
Seat Belts53%
Speed Control53%
Suspension43%
Steering43%
Brakes32%
Engine32%
Seats21%
Lighting21%
Airbags21%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2014 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18E107000Visibility & WipersNovember 27, 2018 · 8,202 units

Defect

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).

Consequence

The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

14V576000Fuel SystemSeptember 19, 2014 · 15,872 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

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.

14V272000Electrical SystemMay 22, 2014 · 48,840 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

14V274000SeatsMay 22, 2014 · 231 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

14V051000Seat BeltsFebruary 7, 2014 · 7,067 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 4, 2026 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 13, 2018 · crash

WHEN THE A/C OR HEATER IS ON, THERE IS A VERY FOUL ALMOST ROTTEN TYPE OF SMELL COMING INTO THE CABIN. I NOTICE IT AS SOON AS I START THE CAR. IT USED TO GO AWAY AFTER DRIVING IT SEVERAL MILES, BUT LATELY IT SEEMS TO CONTINUE WITH THE BAD SMELL FOR A LONGER TIME. WE HAVE NOTICED IT FOR SEVERAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 1, 2016

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON OUR STREET, WHICH IS CONSIDERED A PRIVATE ROAD, WHILE PREPARING TO TURN AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD, A 94YR OLD WOMAN WALKED IN FRONT OF MY CAR, WAS STRUCK, AND DIED. AT NO TIME DURING MY TURN DID I SEE THE WOMAN AS SHE STEPPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. RESEARCH OF THE 2014…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 24, 2019 · crash

2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WHEELS LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TRANSMISSION STOPS, PULLS, THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARS STATING 'CHECK ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRACK OFF'. THE SOLENOID FAILED. *JS

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 29, 2018

2014 Toyota Highlander — common questions

Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 158 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Highlander year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2014 Highlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (37 complaints), body & structure (34 complaints), other (33 complaints).

Does the 2014 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Highlander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Highlander years to avoid are 2019, 2021, 2008, 2017. The cleanest record among Highlander years belongs to 2000.

How safe is the 2014 Toyota Highlander?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Toyota Highlander earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.