Most common 2014 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of the 136 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Highlander complaints by model year
Best Highlander years: 2025, 2016, 2014. Years to avoid: 2021, 2019, 2023, 2022, 2020. Compare all years →
2014 Toyota Highlander recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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…
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.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
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…
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.
Seat belts › Rear/other
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.
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.
What 2014 Toyota Highlander owners say
Electrical system all 35 →
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that a hybrid system warning alert was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the windshield wiring system had failed and that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic informed the contact that the windshield failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18E107000 (Electrical System, Visibility). The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The windshield manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
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.
Body & structure all 32 →
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while opening the hatchback, the hatchback failed to fully open as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the support struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
The driver's-side rear spoiler on my 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD has melted, bubbled, and warped. The vehicle has been stored 100% of the time in a fully enclosed garage with no windows since new. It has only 65,000 miles and has received all service exclusively at authorized Toyota dealerships. There has been no direct sun exposure, accident, or misuse. Toyota dealer and Corporate attributed this to "solar convergence" and denied any repair assistance or goodwill coverage. This explanation does not match the facts given the garage setup and minimal outdoor time. This appears to be a materials/design defect in the black plastic spoiler. Similar melting/warping issues are reported by other owners on Highlanders and RAV4s, even on low-mileage garaged vehicles. Dealer replacement quotes are typically $2,700+. …
Windows, wipers & sunroof
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that a hybrid system warning alert was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the windshield wiring system had failed and that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic informed the contact that the windshield failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18E107000 (Electrical System, Visibility). The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The windshield manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
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.
2014 Toyota Highlander engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid | CVT | AWD | 27 / 28 / 28 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander a good car?
Based on 136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Highlander rates average: 28% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Highlander at the same age. It is one of the best Highlander years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Toyota Highlander?
The electrical system — 35 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about horn. Next are the body & structure (32) and windows, wipers & sunroof (10).
How many recalls does the 2014 Toyota Highlander have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2014 Toyota Highlander, the most recent from September 19, 2014 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Highlander?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2016 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2019, 2023, 2022 and 2020. See the full Toyota Highlander years comparison.
At what mileage do 2014 Toyota Highlander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 37,000 miles; 67% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.