I WAS T BONED ON PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN HEAD ON COLLISION. SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN- I INITIALLY HIT DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, WHEN T-BONED, THEN WITH FRONT IMPACT HIT STEERING WHEEL, ROOF AND CENTER CONSOLE. *TT *TR
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
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.
What owners actually said
135 reportsLIFTGATE GETTING STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION MAKING IT A HAZARD TO DRIVE, NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. POWER WINDOWS BARELY CLOSE- REPORTED TO TOYOTA BUT CLAIMED IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE.
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 PASSE…
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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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE AT THE DEALER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER (PRIME TOYOTA BOSTON, 1605 VFW PKWY, WEST ROXBURY, MA 02132) AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE AT THE DEALER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER (PRIME TOYOTA BOSTON, 1605 VFW PKWY, WEST ROXBURY, MA 02132) AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.
LIFT GATE WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE IN COLD TEMPERATURES. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER IN BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WE DO NOT WISH TO INJURE OURSELVES TRYING TO OPEN OUR BACK DOOR. THIS VEHICLE IS USED IN OUR DELIVE…
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LIFT GATE WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE IN COLD TEMPERATURES. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER IN BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WE DO NOT WISH TO INJURE OURSELVES TRYING TO OPEN OUR BACK DOOR. THIS VEHICLE IS USED IN OUR DELIVERY BUSINESS AND IT IS NECESSARY TO FREQUENTLY USE OUR BACK DOOR.
POWER LIFT GATE WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AND LOCK WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND COLD AS STATED.
CHROME GRILL IS BUBBLING AND LOOKS LIKE IT'S GETTING READY TO PEEL. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND TAKEN CARE OF SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT WILL DEFINITELY LOWER THE VALUE OF MY CAR. MY HUSBAND NOTICED THIS ISSUE JUST RECENTLY WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR CLOSE THE LIFTGATE AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE MANUALLY AND HOLD THE LIFTGATE OPEN MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR CLOSE THE LIFTGATE AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE MANUALLY AND HOLD THE LIFTGATE OPEN MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LIFTGATE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2014 HAS A HUGE SECURITY AND SAFETY ISSUE. ITS STEERING WHEEL JAMMED AND IT BECOME COMPLETELY DISABLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE WONT START AGAIN. IT HAS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES IN THE DASHBOARD. 1- 'EPS FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL IS HARDER TO TURN'. 2- 'THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED. PLEASE PUT THE SHIFT LEV…
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MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2014 HAS A HUGE SECURITY AND SAFETY ISSUE. ITS STEERING WHEEL JAMMED AND IT BECOME COMPLETELY DISABLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE WONT START AGAIN. IT HAS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES IN THE DASHBOARD. 1- 'EPS FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL IS HARDER TO TURN'. 2- 'THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED. PLEASE PUT THE SHIFT LEVER TO P'. 3- 'TRAC OFF' 4- 'BRAKE OVERRIDE SYSTEM FAILURE'. MY CAR HAD SAME ISSUE BACK AUG 2017 BUT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE SUCH ISSUE AND THE CAR STARTED NORMAL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF DIAGNOSTICS THEY PERFORMED BECAUSE I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WHICH HAS SIMILAR SYMPTOM AS THE RECALL ISSUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 15V14000) FOR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2015 MODELS. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SECURITY FAULT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS IDOL WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL JAMMED. ON BOTH OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
I'VE PURCHASED 2014 HIGHLANDER ON JAN 2014. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERS ABOUT THE REAR NOISE STARTING IN 2014 AND ALL THEY COULD SAID WAS TO MAKE SURE THE JACK TOOL IS SECURED IN THE BACK. THEY COULDN'T IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE. TODAY I FOUND SB0016-16 AND HAD A DEALER CONFIRMED THE TRAILING ARM ISSUE. THIS IS PART OF THE REAR…
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I'VE PURCHASED 2014 HIGHLANDER ON JAN 2014. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERS ABOUT THE REAR NOISE STARTING IN 2014 AND ALL THEY COULD SAID WAS TO MAKE SURE THE JACK TOOL IS SECURED IN THE BACK. THEY COULDN'T IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE. TODAY I FOUND SB0016-16 AND HAD A DEALER CONFIRMED THE TRAILING ARM ISSUE. THIS IS PART OF THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. I CONTACTED TOYODA WITH CASE #1708260897 AND THEY SAID MINE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WON'T PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT DIDN'T MATTER IF THE ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED BEFORE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND BEFORE THIS BULLETIN SB0016-16 CAME OUT. THE REPAIR COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE $1,200.
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.
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