NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
135 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 3, 2017
Exterior Lighting
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE MELTING THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. BOTH SIDES ARE MELTING FROM THE HEAT OF THE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULBS. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED AT 37,000 MILES, AT 3 YEARS OLD. FACTORY INSTALLED PARTS, NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE ONLY OPERATING AT NIGHT,…
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THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE MELTING THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. BOTH SIDES ARE MELTING FROM THE HEAT OF THE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULBS. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED AT 37,000 MILES, AT 3 YEARS OLD. FACTORY INSTALLED PARTS, NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE ONLY OPERATING AT NIGHT, ABOUT 25% OF THE DRIVING TIME ON THE VEHICLE, SO THE MELTING OCCURRED WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES OF DRIVING TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN IT WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA, BUT THIS MELTING HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE DAY ONE. THIS DEFECT WILL AFFECT THE SAFETY OF NIGHTTIME DRIVING IN THE VEHICLE. WORKED FOR MONTHS WITH DEALERSHIP, UNSATISFACTORY RESOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11021275
55,000 miles · Jul 7, 2017
Structure
AFTER NUMEROUS ELECTRIC ISSUES WITH MY 2014 HIGHLANDER NOW THE REAR ELECTRIC LIFT GATE CYLINDERS ARE BAD. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THIS AM AND FOR $1550 THEY WILL REPLACE THEM WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UPDATED PART NUMBER AND CYLINDER. AS I HAVE READ I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IF THEY HAVE …
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AFTER NUMEROUS ELECTRIC ISSUES WITH MY 2014 HIGHLANDER NOW THE REAR ELECTRIC LIFT GATE CYLINDERS ARE BAD. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THIS AM AND FOR $1550 THEY WILL REPLACE THEM WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UPDATED PART NUMBER AND CYLINDER. AS I HAVE READ I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IF THEY HAVE AN UPDATED NEW CYLINDER WHY DON'T THEY THE RIGHT THING AND REPLACE THE BAD DESIGN....UHGG I WANT MY OLD CHEVROLET BACK....
NHTSA ODI #11003581
18,000 miles · Jun 28, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN USING THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL IT MAINTAINS A USER SPECIFIED TRAVELLING DISTANCE BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. WHEN THE VEHICLE CHANGES LANES, OR IS TURNING OFF, THE VEHICLE IS BARELY OFF THE LANE, BUT THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL STILL REACTS TO THE CAR THAT HAS EXITED THE LANE. THIS CAUSES MY TOYOTA TO REACT TO THE SLO…
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WHEN USING THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL IT MAINTAINS A USER SPECIFIED TRAVELLING DISTANCE BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. WHEN THE VEHICLE CHANGES LANES, OR IS TURNING OFF, THE VEHICLE IS BARELY OFF THE LANE, BUT THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL STILL REACTS TO THE CAR THAT HAS EXITED THE LANE. THIS CAUSES MY TOYOTA TO REACT TO THE SLOWED VEHICLE THAT HAS JUST EXITED MY LANE BY SLOWING UNNECESSARILY, AND CAUSING VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO HAVE TO SLOW AND SOME TIMES GET IRRITATED BY THIS ACTION. I TOLD TOYOTA ABOUT THIS. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A FIX ON THE WAY, BUT NO ACTION HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. A TECH DROVE THE CAR ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HE OBVIOUSLY DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH, BECAUSE IF HE HAD, HE SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THIS ODD BEHAVIOR. IT HAPPENS SOME ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT IS MORE PRONOUNCED BEHAVIOR WHEN ON 2 LAND ROADS. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW.
NHTSA ODI #11002035
35,000 miles · Jun 6, 2017
Electrical System
THE ENTUNE RADIO HAS A BUG THAT CAUSES IT TO REBOOT RANDOMLY. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND RELYING ON THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR DIRECTIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT IS ANNOYING, DISTRACTING AND VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND IT APPEARS THAT RELOADING OR NEW FIRMWARE DOES NOT WORK WHICH IS WHAT TOYOTA RECOMM…
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THE ENTUNE RADIO HAS A BUG THAT CAUSES IT TO REBOOT RANDOMLY. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND RELYING ON THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR DIRECTIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT IS ANNOYING, DISTRACTING AND VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND IT APPEARS THAT RELOADING OR NEW FIRMWARE DOES NOT WORK WHICH IS WHAT TOYOTA RECOMMENDS. REFER TO THIS LINK FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.LANDERFAN.COM/ARCHIVES/ENTUNE-NAVIGATION-FREEZE-CRASH-REBOOT-FOLLOWUP/
NHTSA ODI #10993364
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2017
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE BECAUSE IT HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR VARIOUS RATES OF SPEED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE BECAUSE IT HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR VARIOUS RATES OF SPEED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THEY HAD A SERVICE CAMPAIGN OR SOLUTION TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10985684
27,000 miles · Apr 15, 2017
Unknown Or Other
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
NHTSA ODI #10978621
33,000 miles · Apr 1, 2017
Unknown Or Other
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
NHTSA ODI #10969933
39,000 miles · Dec 18, 2016
Electrical System
STATIONARY VEHICLE. POWER REAR LIFT GATE WILL OPEN OR CLOSE ON DEMAND ONLY SPORADICALLY. IT MAY BEGIN TO OPEN OR CLOSE AND MOVE JUST SEVERAL INCHES, OR PERHAPS A FOOT. IT THUS REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO MANUALLY OPEN OR CLOSE THE GATE WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH ESPECIALLY FOR SMALLER OR ELDERLY PEOPLE AS THE RESISTANC…
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STATIONARY VEHICLE. POWER REAR LIFT GATE WILL OPEN OR CLOSE ON DEMAND ONLY SPORADICALLY. IT MAY BEGIN TO OPEN OR CLOSE AND MOVE JUST SEVERAL INCHES, OR PERHAPS A FOOT. IT THUS REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO MANUALLY OPEN OR CLOSE THE GATE WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH ESPECIALLY FOR SMALLER OR ELDERLY PEOPLE AS THE RESISTANCE IS SEVERE, REQUIRING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND RISK OF INJURY. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY.
NHTSA ODI #10936035
29,700 miles · Oct 31, 2016
Visibility
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY KIDS, ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT AND THE GLASS FELL ALL OVER ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10920200
50,182 miles · Aug 27, 2016
Unknown Or OtherInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #10901965
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 ↗