2014 Toyota Highlander Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Horn
  1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  416%
• 25k–50k
  1144%
• 50k–75k
  728%
• 75k–100k
  14%
• 100k–150k
  14%
• 150k+
  14%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

The power rear hatch will not properly open or close. The safety of others are at risk due to several factors. For example, the door will not open properly causing hands, fingers, and other object to get jammed in the doorway when trying to close it manually or when the door closes automatically without warning. It also does not close properly when the hatch is not working properly which could potentially be an issue while traveling where objects could fall out of the vehicle and injure other drivers. There are several articles online reporting the issue and will only be fixed if the vehicle is under warranty. Many of these vehicles are out of warranty due to their age. There was no prior warning other than a beeping noise when the door would not close properly.

While driving car started singing and message came on dashboard about idling will cause the engine to turn off then the car turned off while I was driving it has happened multiple other times even after taking it to the dealership twice and then doing an update on it

The power lift gate actuators only worked intermittently and caused us to close/open by hand. This occurred while parked. This eventually lead to a leak in the driver side actuator. A review of the NHTSA website showed that of the 54 complaints listed 14 concerned the power lift gates. That is about 25%. I had to have the dealer replace both and they said there was not a recall. They suggested I call Toyota directly. Toyota rep said they could not reimburse me after the repair was complete. No suggestion as to replacing my car while it waited in shop for action from Toyota. However Toyota did pay for half of the repair ($1000) and stated that if a recall occurred at a later date we could revisit the cost of the other actuator. Since there are so many complaints re this problem I hope this notification might lead to other documentation of similar issues and maybe a recall. …

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.

The rear trunk door of my Toyota Highlander is not functioning as expected. The motors that power the actuators of the trunk door are not working and we have to manually open and close the trunk door. Sometimes we do not realize if the trunk is closed or not which creates a significant safety concern. Toyota was having similar problems in the 2008 to 2013 Highlander models but the same issue still persists in the 2014 models also. I took the vehicle to the dealership at irving, tx and they advised me that the motor powering the actuators will need to be replaced and Toyota covers it as part of warranty. Since the vehicle's factory warranty expired in this year they advised me that I will have to bear the cost of repair and parts.

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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. While attempting to open the rear gate, it stopped in the middle. The contact manually had to push it up. The contact stated that the gate had been malfunctioning for approximately eight months. The gate would sometimes open or not open, and would occasionally because get stuck in the process. The vehicle was taken to ronnie ward Toyota of ruston (1001 north service rd e, ruston, la 71270), but they were not able to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the rear power doors and trunk made a buzzing noise and were inoperative. The contact referenced service bulletin number: sb0023-16 and NHTSA id number: 10134306 (structure, electrical system). Sparks Toyota (located at 4855 highway 501, myrtle beach, sc 29526, [phone]) was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Related recalls

Electrical complaints in other Highlander years