2014 Toyota Highlander recalls and problems

The 2014 Toyota Highlander has 4 safety recalls and 136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
136
Crashes / fires
5 / 1
Injuries / deaths
6 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2014 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2014 Toyota Highlander recalls

Recall 14V-576: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Sep 19, 2014 · 15,872 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 14V-272: Electrical System, Seat Belts

Reported May 22, 2014 · 48,840 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 14V-274: Seats

Reported May 22, 2014 · 231 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 14V-051: Seat Belts

Reported Feb 7, 2014 · 7,067 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2014 Toyota Highlander problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System36
Structure34
Unknown or Other33
Power Train9
Visibility/Wiper6
Seat Belts5
Vehicle Speed Control5
Steering4
Suspension4
Tires4
Visibility4
Engine3

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 23
  • Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate — 5
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 3
  • Electrical System › Horn — 1
  • Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 1
  • Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and Attachments — 1
  • Structure › Body › Hood — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 36,700 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2014 Toyota Highlander complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported Sep 28, 2026
Transmission failing beginning at 60,000 miles. Safety issue because car shudders and refuses to accelerate at seemingly random times. My mechanic said this is a known issue and recommended transmission flushing. We've been doing this for six years at lesser and lesser intervals before the problem reappears. Our local Toyota dealership said they've never heard of the problem but it is reported on numerous automotive forums.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · reported Aug 30, 2026
Component: Latches/Locks — Power Door Lock Actuator I am the original owner of a 2014 Toyota Highlander AWD, currently with 88,000 miles on it. I have experienced six power door lock actuator failures on this vehicle. All replacements were OEM Toyota parts, and all repairs were paid out of pocket. Failure history: - 01/12/2019 — driver rear (original part) - 02/27/2019 — driver front (original part) - 12/07/2019 — passenger rear (original part) - 06/09/2023 — passenger front (original part) - 08/08/2025 — driver rear (OEM replacement, 6 yr 7 mo service life) - 08/30/2026 — driver…
Electrical System · reported Jul 15, 2026
The radio keeps freezing up all the time along with the back tail light area going in and out. I keep smelling like burnt wire smell. Engine sound really rough.
Structure · reported May 5, 2026
The driver’s-side rear spoiler on my 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD has melted, bubbled, and warped. The vehicle has been stored 100% of the time in a fully enclosed garage with no windows since new. It has only 65,000 miles and has received all service exclusively at authorized Toyota dealerships. There has been no direct sun exposure, accident, or misuse. Toyota dealer and Corporate attributed this to “solar convergence” and denied any repair assistance or goodwill coverage. This explanation does not match the facts given the garage setup and minimal outdoor time. This appears to…
Electrical System · reported May 4, 2026
I noticed the smell of wires burning, a billow of smoke started emitting from the two levers used to heat the seats near the gear shift area. I was on the freeway and immediately pulled to the side of the road, turned off the car and called 911 before any flames were seen. There were no warning signs, lamps or other symptoms until the smell of burning wires and the smoke.

Other Toyota Highlander years

Compare all Toyota Highlander years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Toyota Highlander: 14V-576 (fuel system, gasoline), 14V-272 (electrical system, seat belts), 14V-274 (seats), 14V-051 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Toyota Highlander?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (36 reports), followed by structure (34). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 36,700 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.