2014 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2014 Toyota Highlander has a complaint index of 10, ranking 19th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Best verdict. It has 135 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 10/100
- #19 of 21 Highlander years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 135
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 1
Top 2014 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System37 (27%)
- Structure & Body36 (27%)
- Other34 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (7%)
- Engine8 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (6%)
- Seat Belts5 (4%)
- Brakes4 (3%)
- Steering4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in side-impact and frontal crashes, and seat belts reportedly did not tighten during collisions.
- Owners describe brakes that did not respond when pressed, including one case where a car rolled through a driveway crash.
- Some owners report difficulty seeing objects or pedestrians clearly, cited in at least one crash involving a pedestrian.
- Electrical system complaints include smoke and a burning smell from seat-heater switches near the gear shift, and a horn that failed to sound.
- Structure and body complaints include a chirping noise traced to friction in the second-row seat rail.
2014 Toyota Highlander recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V576000Sep 19, 2014Fuel System15,872 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
- NHTSA 14V274000May 22, 2014Structure & Body231 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
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.
- 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 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 Highlander has a complaint index of 10, the second-lowest of the 21 model years covered, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Highlander years.
- What are the top problem areas for the 2014 Highlander?
- NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints make up 27% of reports (37 complaints) and Structure & Body complaints also make up 27% (36 complaints), the two largest categories.
- Does the 2014 Highlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Highlander, covering the fuel delivery pipe, a second-row seat, airbag control unit software, and a third-row seat belt anchor. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 Highlander compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 10 and rank of 19th worst out of 21 years, the 2014 Highlander performs better than years like 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, all of which carry Avoid verdicts.