YearToAvoid

2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

13/100

#14 most-complained of 16 Highlander Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 13, ranking 14th out of 16 model years, meaning it has fewer reported problems than most other years. It has 2 complaints, 1 recall, and no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.

Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28
27.5 city / 28 hwy

Top 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System1 (50%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers1 (50%)

What owners report

  • Owners report a hybrid system failure warning appearing on the instrument panel, telling the driver to stop the car immediately.
  • The vehicle reportedly slowed on its own after the warning, dropping speed until it nearly stopped, forcing the driver to pull over.
  • This electrical system issue was reported at a median mileage of 17,200 miles.
2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month1Sep 2014Feb 2015
2 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2014 to Feb 2015; peak Sep 2014 (1).

2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V272000May 22, 2014Electrical System48,840 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    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.

2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27.5 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other Highlander Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Caution539028
2013Good405028
2014No verdict132128
2015No verdict274028
2016Caution606028

All Toyota Highlander Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 Highlander Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 13, ranking 14th out of 16 model years, which is better than most other years of this model.
What problems does the 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists 2 complaints for the 2014 Highlander Hybrid, split evenly between the Electrical System and Visibility & Wipers. One complaint described a hybrid system failure warning that caused the vehicle to slow down.
Does the 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA recall 14V272000 covers improper software in the air bag electronic control unit; Toyota dealers install a free software update as the remedy.
How does the 2014 Highlander Hybrid compare to other years?
The 2014 model's Complaint Index of 13 is much lower than the 2010 (100), 2021 (93), and 2023 (87) model years, which are marked Avoid, making 2014 one of the better years in this range.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.