NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
35 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · Jul 7, 2019
Electrical System
WE ARE AFFECTED BY I AM LEARNING VERY COMMON ISSUE IN TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2014 AND LATER. POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE ALL FAILING AT AROUND 4-5 YEARS. I HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED THIS ON ANY OTHER CARS I OWNED AND IT SEEMS SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THESE SINCE PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE I TALKED TO HAD ONE OR MORE FAIL IN TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. …
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WE ARE AFFECTED BY I AM LEARNING VERY COMMON ISSUE IN TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2014 AND LATER. POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE ALL FAILING AT AROUND 4-5 YEARS. I HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED THIS ON ANY OTHER CARS I OWNED AND IT SEEMS SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THESE SINCE PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE I TALKED TO HAD ONE OR MORE FAIL IN TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT IT IS SAFETY CONCERNS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT ONE OF THE DOOR WAS BEING LEFT UNLOCKED. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT IT FAILED TO LOCK.
NHTSA ODI #11229865
40,000 miles · Jun 29, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
THE REAR LIFT GATE WILL OFTEN NOT CLOSE CORRECTLY ON THE FIRST TRY. IT BEEPS AS IF SOMETHING IS IN ITS WAY AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. RECENTLY IT GOT STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION ANS IT HAD TO FORCIBLY BE CLOSED. NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS STATIONARY AND THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED BOTH WHILE ON AND OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11228352
68,000 miles · Jun 21, 2019
Electrical System
VEHICLE IN MOTION: RADIO/ENTUNE/NAVIGATION SYSTEM FREEZES AND REBOOTS MULTIPLE TIMES. VEHICLE STATIONARY: INTERIOR CABIN LIGHT WHEN SET TO "DOOR" FADES ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY. KEYLESS FOB FAILS TO FUNCTION ONCE CAR HAS BEEN STARTED; WHEN MOTOR SHUT OFF AND DOOR IS OPEN, WARNING LIGHT INDICATES NO KEY DETECTED.
NHTSA ODI #11221706
58,000 miles · Jun 3, 2019
Electrical SystemStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE, IT OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE HAD TO BE CLOSED MANUALLY OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHUCK PATTERSON TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 200 EAST AVE, CHICO, CA 95926) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE, IT OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE HAD TO BE CLOSED MANUALLY OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHUCK PATTERSON TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 200 EAST AVE, CHICO, CA 95926) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI LIFTGATE CONNECTOR OR THE POWER UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #11217631
136,000 miles · Mar 26, 2019
Electrical SystemStructure
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 T…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11191568
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE SAFETY OF THE WELLBEING OF MYSELF AND PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. THE REAR AUTOMATUC DOOR LOCK ON MY PASSENGER SIDE OF MY HIGHLANDER WENT OUT FIRST. THEN THE DRIVER DOOR AT ANY GIVEN TIME MAY OR MAY NOT OPEN. NOT EVEN WITH THE KEY. I HAVE TO GO TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER AND UNLOCK THE DOOR AND …
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MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE SAFETY OF THE WELLBEING OF MYSELF AND PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. THE REAR AUTOMATUC DOOR LOCK ON MY PASSENGER SIDE OF MY HIGHLANDER WENT OUT FIRST. THEN THE DRIVER DOOR AT ANY GIVEN TIME MAY OR MAY NOT OPEN. NOT EVEN WITH THE KEY. I HAVE TO GO TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER AND UNLOCK THE DOOR AND GO BACK AROUND TO GET IN. MY CONCERN IS BEING IN A WRECK AND THE DOOR NOT OPENING. NOT BEING ABLE TO GET A CHILD OUT OF THE CARSEAT IN THE BACK BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN. YES. IT MAY BE THE ACTUATORS AND I HAVE READ THE EXPENSIVE REVIEWS OF GETTING THOSE FIXED ONLY TO FIND IT HAPPENS AGAIN OVER AND OVER. MY OTHER COMPLAINT IS THE BLUETOOTH PHONE SYSTEM WILL FREEZE UP AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR TO UNFREEZE IT. THE SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN CONTINUOUSLY. I HAVE READ REVIEWS ON THIS ALSO AND TOYOTA IS AWARE OF BOTH OF THESE COMPLAINTS BUT HAVE HAD NO RECALLS TO DATE. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA ODI #11187290
26,000 miles · Mar 13, 2019
Electrical System
DOOR ACTUATOR - DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY FOB OR BUTTON ON DOOR.
NHTSA ODI #11186388
39,000 miles · Dec 6, 2018
Electrical System
DOOR ACTUATORS FAILED IN ALL 4 DOORS 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE AND JUST AFTER WARRANTY WAS OVER.
NHTSA ODI #11156579
25,000 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Electrical System
TOYOTA ENTUNE SYSTEM , CONSTANTLY SHUT DOWN AND REBOOT WHILE DRIVING, LOSING BLUETOOTH CONNECTION, RADIO, NAVIGATION
NHTSA ODI #11151296
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2018
Electrical System
BLUETOOTH STOPPED WORKING. WHEN MY PHONE WOULD BE PLUGGED IN, THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY DISCONNECT FROM ITSELF FROM THE PHONE. TOUCHSCREEN WOULD ZAP IN AND OUT UNTIL IT WOULD FINALLY SHUT OFF. GOT SUSPENDED FROM WORK FOR TWO WEEKS BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START (I HAD NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK). TOOK CAR TO DEALER A…
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BLUETOOTH STOPPED WORKING. WHEN MY PHONE WOULD BE PLUGGED IN, THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY DISCONNECT FROM ITSELF FROM THE PHONE. TOUCHSCREEN WOULD ZAP IN AND OUT UNTIL IT WOULD FINALLY SHUT OFF. GOT SUSPENDED FROM WORK FOR TWO WEEKS BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START (I HAD NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK). TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH BATTERY. IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THE SOFTWARE.
NHTSA ODI #11150240
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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