2014 Toyota Highlander
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2014 Toyota Highlander.
What to watch for on the 2014 Toyota Highlander
VVT-i Oil Line Rupture
On early engines, a rubber section of the oil line to the variable valve timing can burst and dump the engine's oil within seconds.
Water Pump Leak
Water pumps commonly start weeping coolant with age.
Which of these apply to your 2014 Highlander?
Your guide shows which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
Recalls on the 2014 Toyota Highlander
Electrical system
The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module…
Electrical system: software
The affected vehicles may have improper software installed in the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) for the operation of the front…
Fuel system: hoses
Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.
2 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 136 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2014 Toyota Highlander at a glance
- Trims
- LELE PlusLE V6LimitedLimited HybridLimited PlatinumLimited Platinum HybridXLE
- Engine
- 2.7L 4-Cylinder, 3.5L 6-Cylinder, 3.5L 6-Cylinder Hybrid
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd, CVT
- Drivetrain
- FWD, AWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline, Hybrid
- Body style
- SUV
About the 3rd Gen
The 2014-2019 Toyota Highlander is the third generation of the three-row crossover, built on a revised version of the previous platform with a substantially more expressive exterior and a higher-quality interior. Engines were the 2.7-liter four-cylinder, the 3.5-liter V6, which switched to the D-4S dual-injection 2GR-FKS for 2017, and a V6 Hybrid. Transmissions were a six-speed automatic through 2016 and an eight-speed automatic on V6 models from 2017, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional.
The 2017 update was significant enough that many buyers treat it as a dividing line within the generation, bringing the new engine, the eight-speed transmission, a restyled front end, and standard Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance. Interior storage was improved with a full-width shelf across the dashboard. The fourth generation that followed in 2020 moved to the TNGA-K platform.
For used buyers, this generation is among the most recommended three-row crossovers of its period, combining strong reliability with genuinely usable space. Torque converter shudder on the eight-speed automatic is the most frequently reported drivetrain complaint and is generally addressed through a fluid service or software update. Wind and road noise at highway speed draw more owner comment than any mechanical issue. Post-2017 V6 examples are the ones to target for the combination of the updated powertrain and standard safety equipment.
Other Toyota Highlander years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2014 Toyota Highlander?
Owners have filed 136 complaints about the 2014 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. There are 5 recall campaigns covering this model year. Known problems on its engines include vvt-i oil line rupture and water pump leak. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 5 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2014 Toyota Highlander?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2014 Toyota Highlander listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.