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.
2014 Toyota Highlander body problems
moderate 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 27 body complaints filed for the 2014 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Body accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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.
Automatic liftgate does not close. Starts to close, stops, then beeps. Requires manual closure. Have had in for repair 5 times, including having the entire assembly replaced. Still malfunctions. While using a loaner car of the same make/model/year, it had the same malfunction. *tr
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…
Had body trouble with your 2014 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2014 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 15,586 and 59,000 miles, with the median around 49,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,586; a quarter make it past 59,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.