2014 Toyota Highlander
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 36 of 137 complaints (26%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Visibility & Lighting include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 211 in 2013 to 137 in 2014.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | vs. 2014 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–3,300 | 2,250–3,300 | 2,250–3,100 | 2,250–3,100 | 2,250–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–28 | 19–28 | 20–28 | 20–28 | 20–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–28 / 22–28 | 17–28 / 22–28 | 18–28 / 24–28 | 18–28 / 24–28 | 18–28 / 24–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–468 | 317–465 | 313–437 | 313–437 | 313–437 | |
| Complaints filed | 191 | 211 | 137 | 194 | 115 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 16 | 26 | 5 | 17 | 14 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 13 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2014 Toyota Highlander have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2014 Toyota Highlander?
Electrical: 36 of 137 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA rates it 20–28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2014 Toyota Highlander?
EPA estimates $2,250–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.7L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 398 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 419 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 437 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 27 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 319 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 28 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 313 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 36 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Other | 34 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · Campaign 18E107000 · Nov 30, 2018
Defect: Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
Consequence: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 14V576000 · Sep 19, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · Campaign 14V274000 · May 23, 2014
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
SEAT BELTS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 14V272000 · May 22, 2014
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · Campaign 14V051000 · Feb 11, 2014
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.