2014 Toyota Highlander: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2014 Toyota Highlander? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 131 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2014 Toyota Highlander Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 5 2014 Toyota Highlander trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2014 Toyota Highlander Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2014 Toyota Highlander SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
16.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
16.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2014 Toyota Highlander has 131 owner complaints, 5 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Highlander
- Model year
- 2014
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 131
- Crash-related complaints
- 5
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 25
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2014 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Uncategorized Issues
Structural Problems
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Uncategorized Issues, Structural Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2014 Toyota Highlander?
The 2014 Toyota Highlander shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2014 Toyota Highlander
Inspection Focus
- Inspect electrical systems, including battery, alternator, and wiring harnesses.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for structural or electrical issues.
- Request service records for any reported electrical or structural repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle's structural integrity and electrical components before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect electrical systems, including battery, alternator, and wiring harnesses.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for structural or electrical issues.
- Request service records for any reported electrical or structural repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle's structural integrity and electrical components before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2014 Toyota Highlander, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2014 Toyota Highlander are concentrated in electrical faults, uncategorized issues, and structural problems, though the total of 131 complaints across one model year is relatively low. The data suggests potential concerns with electrical systems and structural integrity, but the low confidence level and small sample size limit strong conclusions.
- Electrical faults account for 33 of 131 complaints, the highest reported component.
- Structural problems are reported in 31 complaints, nearly as frequent as electrical faults.
- Unintended acceleration is noted in 5 complaints, though crash-related complaints total only 5.
- Electrical faults, including potential issues with wiring, battery, or infotainment systems.
- Structural problems, possibly related to body integrity or chassis components.
- Uncategorized issues, which may indicate problems not easily classified by NHTSA.
All 2014 Toyota Highlander Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Toyota Highlander. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 33 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 33 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 31 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2014 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that a hybrid system warning alert was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the windshield wiring system had failed and that the windshield needed to b…
Was driving 70 mph on nj 287 when all sudden I hear something that sounded like implosion and air was coming from sunroof. Ended up being sun roof glass flew out of car sunroof frame. Toyota knew it was a defect as they did inspection but did not want to cover it because they s…
Rear lights located both on the tailgate and body of the vehicle. The lights covers failed to remain adhered to the lights themselves and fell off and are partially adhered as a result of what appears to be a failure of the adhesion material . Two light covers may have been lost …
Installed (4) Firestone Destination Le3 tires in March 2022. All four tires became dry rot in just over 2 years, failed inspection at 2 1/2 years. 70,000 mile tires with roughly 28,000 miles left of the warranty.
Water leaks inside the car every time it rains. We checked the sunroof drain tubes. They are clear. It is getting in through the roof rail bolts. It runs down the pillars to the floor and underneath the floor carpet. The carpet is wet for long periods of time in rainy seasons. I …
The vehicle is painted in Blizzard Pearl, which has a known peeling issue. Toyota never sent us any notification of an issue with the paint. A patch of the paint has peeled off of the top of the vehicle and has continued to grow larger. When we contacted Toyota, we were informed…
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the moon roof detached from the vehicle. There was no warning light and there was no impact to have caused the failure. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer had previous…
The lift gate will not open and close properly. It only works about 5% of the time.
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the tailgate failed to open and close properly or as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was made aware o…
Some doors do not lock when the electric lock switch is pressed on the FOB or using the button on the door. Sometimes the doors that did lock don’t the next time. This is a security issue while driving the vehicle and another security issue when parking. It’s also a safety issue …
As other 2014 Toyota highlander: issues with the power liftgate/rear door. Have problems open and closing the rear door to the point that it's not working properly anymore. Toyota is not responding unless you pay around $4,000 to get it fix.There are plenty of cases like mine and…
The glass from the panoramic sunroof detached from the vehicle while traveling approximately 60 MPH.
While driving car started singing and message came on dashboard about idling will cause the engine to turn off then the car turned off while I was driving it has happened multiple other times even after taking it to the dealership twice and then doing an update on it
On or about 12-01-2022 the windshield wipers stopped functioning. The result was an inability to drive the car in the rain and especially at night. It was impossible to see so we pulled over and waited for the rain to stop. After analyzing the issue the motor had failed. We conta…
Hi, the stereo sound on My Toyota highlander keep going in and out, I can start the car in the morning and the radio will work no problem but if I turn off the car or the radio sound or music will go away. after the car is off for about 3 to 4 hours period of time the sound will…
Steering column locked on several occasions while driving. Electrical systems blink on and off. Exactly as described in NHTSA recall #15V144000 and as far I can tell the exact same part number.
rear tailgate door non-functioning. auto door button does not work and door cannot be opened manually. serious safety issue if car in accident and side doors won't open. checked by dealer in dec. 2020, and they knew about problem and not covered under warrranty. toyota knew ab…
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while opening the hatchback, the hatchback failed to fully open as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the support struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. T…
While driving the vehicle, the rear pane of the vehicle's moon roof spontaneously shattered into pieces. The moon roof has two basic components - the soft cover that lies under the glass moon roof and the 2-pane glass moon roof. Had the soft cover not been closed, the glass sha…
This is a known problem with the Toyota Highlander where the Power Rear Door struts will not work in cold weather. They even issued a service bulletin but refuses to issue a recall on the defective parts. If the rear hatch refuses to close or open, it can be a safety hazard as th…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2014 Toyota Highlander.
2014 Toyota Highlander Recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2014 Toyota Highlander. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2014 Toyota Highlander Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 131 owner complaints, 5 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2014 Toyota Highlander shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Toyota Highlander?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (33 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (33 complaints). #3: Structural Problems (31 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2014 Toyota Highlander?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2014 Toyota Highlander?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2014 Toyota Highlander, NHTSA complaints include 5 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 131 total complaints. 6 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2014 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2014 Toyota Highlander. A major recall area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2014 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2014 Toyota Highlander shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2014 Toyota Highlander based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.