Verdict
2014 Toyota Highlander: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2014 Toyota Highlander — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for SUV.
Owners filed 135 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 58% of 2014 SUVs. Electrical System leads the reports (24%). 5 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2014 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
135
Reports to NHTSA, 2014
Safety recalls
5
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
22
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 58% of 2014 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2014 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (24% of 135 reports), followed by unknown or other (21%).
+ 10 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 135 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11735704, ODI 11715109, ODI 11505234, ODI 11418665, ODI 11331293.
Recalls(5)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Seat BeltsJul 2014 · 14V051000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
Electrical System · 14V272000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
Seats · 14V274000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
Fuel System · 14V576000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Electrical System · 18E107000Details +Close −
Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
Risk: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2014 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2014 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus | 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 27 | 28 | 28 |
| Highlander 2WD | 2.7L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 | 25 | 22 |
| Highlander 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 | 25 | 21 |
| Highlander AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 | 24 | 20 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2014 Toyota Highlander: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2014 Toyota Highlander?
Owners filed 135 NHTSA complaints about the 2014 Toyota Highlander — more complaints than 58% of comparable 2014 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2014 Toyota Highlander?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (24% of complaints) and unknown or other (21%).
How many recalls does the 2014 Toyota Highlander have?
5 recalls have been issued that affect the 2014 Toyota Highlander, covering components such as seat belts. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Toyota Highlander get?
The EPA rates the 2014 Toyota Highlander between 20 and 28 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.