Are there open safety recalls?
5 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2014 Toyota Highlander has 5 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 134 owner complaints, and gets about 20 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2014 Toyota Highlander
- Engine 6-cyl 3.5L
- Drive All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
1 death reported
Out of 134 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2014.
- 20122recalls
- 20133recalls
- 2014 · this car5recalls
- 20152recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2014 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
5 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Electrical System
27/11/2018
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).
How they fix it: 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.
-
Electrical System
22/05/2014
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."
How they fix it: 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.
-
Fuel System, Gasoline
19/09/2014
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Seats
22/05/2014
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."
How they fix it: 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.
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Seat Belts
07/02/2014
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."
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2014.
- 2012191reports
- 2013210reports
- 2014 · this car134reports
- 2015189reports
134 owner reports on file
5 crash mentions 1 fire mentions 6 injury mentions 1 death mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 134 total reports.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32 of 134
The radio keeps freezing up all the time along with the back tail light area going in and out. I keep smelling like burnt wire smell. Engine sound really rough.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 28 of 134
The lift gate will not open and close properly. It only works about 5% of the time.
- STRUCTURE 27 of 134
The driver’s-side rear spoiler on my 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD has melted, bubbled, and warped. The vehicle has been stored 100% of the time in a fully enclosed garage with no windows since new. It has only 65,000 miles and has rec
- POWER TRAIN 7 of 134
SHARDS OF METAL INSIDE TRANSMISSION PAN AT 74K MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT MPH, THE VEHICLES FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL. *TR
- VISIBILITY/WIPER 5 of 134
The glass from the panoramic sunroof detached from the vehicle while traveling approximately 60 MPH.
- TIRES 4 of 134
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.
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2014.
- 201220mpg
- 201320mpg
- 2014 · this car20mpg
- 201522mpg
$3,100
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 18 mpg
Highway driving 24 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 20 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $4,500 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
6-cyl 3.5L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.5L
- Cylinders
- 6
- Displacement
- 3.5 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 5 open NHTSA recalls (including the electrical system). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2014 Toyota Highlander listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2014 Toyota Highlander? +
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2014 Toyota Highlander, including the electrical system. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Toyota Highlander get? +
The EPA rates the 2014 Toyota Highlander at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), about $3,100 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2014 Toyota Highlander? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2014 Toyota Highlander 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2014 Toyota Highlander? +
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Toyota Highlander, including 5 involving a crash. The most-reported area is electrical system.
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