IllustrationMY POWERED REAR TAILGATE DOOR MALFUNCTIONS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO OPEN IT. ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON TO HAVE IT OPEN, IT CRACKS OPEN AND THEN STARTS BEEPING. THEN TO OPEN IT, I HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN IT BY HAND.
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
What owners actually said
135 reportsTHE REAR LIFT GATE POWER STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 38000 MILES ON A 2014 VEHICLE. HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON TOYOTA FORUMS.
PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT, WHEN I GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TODAY. DINGING SOUND COMING FROM SOMEWHERE WHEN WE DROVE IT LAST NIGHT.
NEAR THE END OF A 180 MILE TRIP, VEHICLE WAS ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN LIGHT CAME ON SAYING ENGINE HAD STOPPED. ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL DESPITE IT BEING FULL AT THE START OF THE TRIP. MECHANIC FOUND THAT ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FULL. UPPER MANIFOLD ALSO HAD TO …
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NEAR THE END OF A 180 MILE TRIP, VEHICLE WAS ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN LIGHT CAME ON SAYING ENGINE HAD STOPPED. ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL DESPITE IT BEING FULL AT THE START OF THE TRIP. MECHANIC FOUND THAT ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FULL. UPPER MANIFOLD ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PRESENCE OF METAL SHAVINGS. TRANSMISSION WAS LATER FOUND TO BE LEAKING OIL AND AT THIS TIME APPEARS UNFIXABLE. CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES AND THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF ANY ISSUES - CAR RAN SMOOTHLY UNTIL THE ENGINE SEIZED.
TAILGATE DOES NOT OPEN SOMETIMES. IT WILL DO A LONG BEEP. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPEN BUT NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPEN LESS THEN HALF WAY AND THEN DO A LONG BEEP.
THE REAR DOOR (HATCH) ELECTRICAL DOES NOT FUNCTION
DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS NOT WORKING. CAN NO LONGER USE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK/LOCK DOORS. POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.
SHARDS OF METAL INSIDE TRANSMISSION PAN AT 74K MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT MPH, THE VEHICLES FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL. *TR
THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK ALL THE TIME MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR THE KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT TO OPEN THE DOORS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON MY 2014 HIGHLANDER. IT ALSO MAKES IT PRETTY EASY FOR PEOPLE TO STEAL STUFF FROM YOUR CAR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS A KNOW ISSUE AND THE INTERNET FORUMS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE WITH T…
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THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK ALL THE TIME MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR THE KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT TO OPEN THE DOORS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON MY 2014 HIGHLANDER. IT ALSO MAKES IT PRETTY EASY FOR PEOPLE TO STEAL STUFF FROM YOUR CAR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS A KNOW ISSUE AND THE INTERNET FORUMS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH ZERO HELP FROM THE DEALER. NEW LOCK MECHANISMS ARE 300 DOLLARS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE ONE AT 75K MILES,. NOW I HAVE TO DO THE OTHER. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 100K. *TR
AROUND 55,000 MILES DRIVEN, MY PANORAMIC ROOF STARTED LEAKING INTO PILLARS. IT CAUSED BOTH REAR DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WET AND CARPETS WET. MY ROOF LEAKS WHENEVER THERE IS RAIN. ROOF DOES NOT LEAK WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED DOWN HILL, BUT IT LEAKS WHENEVER CAR IS PARKED UPHILL. ROOF ALSO LEAKS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY IN …
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AROUND 55,000 MILES DRIVEN, MY PANORAMIC ROOF STARTED LEAKING INTO PILLARS. IT CAUSED BOTH REAR DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WET AND CARPETS WET. MY ROOF LEAKS WHENEVER THERE IS RAIN. ROOF DOES NOT LEAK WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED DOWN HILL, BUT IT LEAKS WHENEVER CAR IS PARKED UPHILL. ROOF ALSO LEAKS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA, BUT THEY SAID I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LEAK SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY SAID I HAVE TO REPLACE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING INCLUDE SUNROOF.
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.