2014 Toyota Highlander Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 37 Electrical System complaints for the 2014 Toyota Highlander, 27% of its 135 total complaints for the year. A related recall (14V272000) covers improper air bag control unit software. Median mileage at failure is 40,000.
- Electrical System complaints
- 37
- 27% of 135
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 40,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Door lock actuators fail repeatedly across multiple doors, leaving doors unable to lock or unlock with the key fob or button.
- Power liftgate opens or closes only partway or sporadically, sometimes stopping and requiring the driver to force it shut manually.
- Owners report burning-wire smells, with one case involving smoke from the seat-heater switches near the gear shift and another involving a rough engine sound alongside a freezing radio and flickering tail light.
- Low-beam headlight bulbs generate enough heat to melt the plastic headlight assembly cover.
- The Entune touchscreen head unit reboots itself while driving or during phone calls, blacking out the screen and disabling the rear-view camera.
- The horn failed to sound during an attempted evasive maneuver, and rear door locks were reported to disengage on their own while driving.
When 2014 Toyota Highlander electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 10, 2014, latest Jul 15, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2014 Toyota Highlander
- 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.
Electrical System complaints by Highlander model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does the 2014 Toyota Highlander have?
- NHTSA lists 37 Electrical System complaints for the 2014 Highlander, which is 27% of the 135 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2014 Highlander's electrical system?
- Yes. Recall 14V272000, reported May 22, 2014, covers improper software installed in the air bag electronic control unit; Toyota's remedy is a free software update.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2014 Highlander is 40,000 miles.
- Are the electrical complaints linked to any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 1 fire among the 37 Electrical System complaints for the 2014 Highlander, with 0 injuries reported.
- How does 2014 compare to other Highlander years for electrical complaints?
- The 2014 Highlander's 27% share of complaints tied to the Electrical System is higher than 2011-2013 (14-16%) and 2016-2025 (6-20%), but below 2010 (28%) and 2015 (32%).