IllustrationTHE 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.
2014 Toyota Highlander
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2014 Toyota Highlander do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Highlander years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
310–25K
3125–50K
1850–75K
875–100K
3100–150K
2150K+
93 reports with mileage · 42 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
33 reportsGPS/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. SPO…
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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.
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 LEV…
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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.
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
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 …
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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
REAR LIFT DOOR (HATCHBACK) DOES NOT STOP IF AN ARM OR BODY PART IS IN THE WAY ONCE THE BUTTON TO CLOSE IS PUSHED. MY HAIR GOT CAUGHT IN THE LOCK AND THE DOOR WAS CLOSING SO I TRIED TO STOP IT WITH MY ARM AND IT KEPT CLOSING ON MY ARM WITH MY HAIR CAUGHT AND MY ARM IS SEVERELY BRUISED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND SHUT OFF IN MY D…
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REAR LIFT DOOR (HATCHBACK) DOES NOT STOP IF AN ARM OR BODY PART IS IN THE WAY ONCE THE BUTTON TO CLOSE IS PUSHED. MY HAIR GOT CAUGHT IN THE LOCK AND THE DOOR WAS CLOSING SO I TRIED TO STOP IT WITH MY ARM AND IT KEPT CLOSING ON MY ARM WITH MY HAIR CAUGHT AND MY ARM IS SEVERELY BRUISED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND SHUT OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY
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 MONTHS NOW. IT HAS 28,000 MILES O…
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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 MONTHS NOW. IT HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT AS OF 4-25-16.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM. WILL NOT SET TO GO TO SPECIFIC ADDRESSES, WILL NOT OPERATE MUCH LIKE A NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOULD.
THE HVAC SYSTEM DOES NOT DRAIN COMPLETELY IN HOT CLIMATES, CAUSING A BUILD UP OF MOLD/MILDEW IN THE AC SYSTEM, BLOWING IT INTO THE CAR. THE ODOR IS FOUL AND DAMAGING TO CUSTOMERS RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS. THIS OCCURS IN THE SUMMER, IN HOT MONTHS WITH THE AC IS USED ON A DAILY BASIS. IT DOES NOT OCCUR IN THE WINTER.
I NOTICED A BAD SMELL FOR MONTHS AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. RECENTLY I NOTICED WATER COMING IN FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD ME BRING IT IN IMMEDIATELY. THEY FOUND MOLD AND SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE MOON ROOF LEAKING. THE CARPETING WAS REPLACED BY PROFESSIONALS SIN…
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I NOTICED A BAD SMELL FOR MONTHS AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. RECENTLY I NOTICED WATER COMING IN FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD ME BRING IT IN IMMEDIATELY. THEY FOUND MOLD AND SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE MOON ROOF LEAKING. THE CARPETING WAS REPLACED BY PROFESSIONALS SINCE THEIR EMPLOYEES COULD NOT BE EXPOSED TO THE MOLD. I HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND DROVE IT WITH MY ASTHMATIC CHILD DAILY. NO ONE HAS YET TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH HAZARD THIS IS. NOT TO MENTION THE MOLDING AROUND THE DOORS AND SEVERAL GUARDS AND PIECES NO LONGER FIT PROPERLY AND ARE SLIDING ALL OVER THE FLOOR AS I DRIVE.
Official recalls
414V576000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
14V272000 · Electrical System:software; Seat Belts
May 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."
Consequence & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
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.
Seat Belts
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.
14V274000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly
May 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."
Consequence & remedy
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.
14V051000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Feb 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."
Consequence & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.