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ProblemsByVin File / 2014-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER NHTSA data synced 8 hours ago
2014 · Toyota

Toyota Highlander problems

133 owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Highlander?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
31 reports · fails ~54,334 mi · avg $850
moderate
body
27 reports · fails ~41,363 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
visibility
8 reports · fails ~84,675 mi · avg $350
critical
powertrain
7 reports · fails ~92,622 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
cruise control
4 reports · fails ~19,875 mi · avg $600
severe
steering
4 reports · fails ~36,667 mi · avg $700
moderate
suspension
4 reports · fails ~33,667 mi · avg $900
moderate
tires
4 reports · fails ~19,975 mi · avg $150
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2014 Highlander's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2014 Highlander?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2014 Highlander · cruise control
The speedometer consistently indicated that I am traveling 2 to 3 MPH more than my actual speed. The highlander is factory original with no aftermarket parts installed. This issue was observed while traveling cross country and observing the plethora of radar speed indicators…
12/30/2014 · at 6,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10669076.0 · see cruise control pattern →
2014 Highlander · seatbelts
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.
12/28/2020 · at 70,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385249.0 · see seatbelts pattern →
2014 Highlander · body
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.
12/20/2017 · at 50,200 mi · NHTSA ODI #11055728.0 · see body pattern →
2014 Highlander · electrical
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…
12/18/2016 · at 39,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10936035.0 · see electrical pattern →
View all 133 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2014 Toyota Highlander? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 4

severe NHTSA 14V272000 May 22, 2014

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 14V274000 May 22, 2014

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, through April 29, 2014

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 14V576000 September 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

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 133 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Toyota Highlander has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2014 Toyota Highlander?

The 2014 Toyota Highlander is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2014 Toyota Highlander?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 31 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,334 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 84,675 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2014 Toyota Highlander?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 133 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 8 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Toyota/Highlander. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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