RoadVitals

2014 Toyota Highlander Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Jul 15, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 134 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Toyota Highlander submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalOther / unspecifiedVisibility
Filed Jul 15, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11750492
Incident
May 11, 2026
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Feb 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that a hybrid system warning alert was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the windshield wiring system had failed and that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic informed the contact that the windshield failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18E107000 (Electrical System, Visibility). The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The windshield manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

NHTSA ID
11715109
Incident
Feb 2, 2026
Mileage
190,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the moon roof detached from the vehicle. There was no warning light and there was no impact to have caused the failure. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer had previously replaced a piece on the moon roof. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the moon roof glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

NHTSA ID
11631027
Incident
Dec 6, 2024
Mileage
99,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 25, 2023

The glass from the panoramic sunroof detached from the vehicle while traveling approximately 60 MPH.

NHTSA ID
11513770
Incident
Mar 25, 2023
Visibility
Filed Jan 11, 2023

On or about 12-01-2022 the windshield wipers stopped functioning. The result was an inability to drive the car in the rain and especially at night. It was impossible to see so we pulled over and waited for the rain to stop. After analyzing the issue the motor had failed. We contacted Toyota for a replacement motor. What we found: No wiper motors are available from Toyota, no aftermarket parts are available. We ordered a motor from Gladstone Toyota but after a couple of weeks began calling. What I was told: no wiper motors are available and there is no release date for when they will be. I began calling around and found that some dealers (TRD Shop) have over 200 on back order and only 80 were released last time they made them. where we are today: We have a vehicle made by Toyota that is unsafe to operate due to the fact the wipers don't work We replaced the wiper switch $232.00 but that only allowed the rear wipers to function further inspection verified the front wiper motor failed in conjunction with the switch that controls the rear wipers. I contacted Toyota engagement center and reported the issues. case #230106000756 they told us they would have a parts specialist contact us no later than 01-09-23 that never happened ans on 01-10-23 I contacted them to let them know we haven't heard anything. They have yet to reply or contact us regarding our back order. We purchased the vehicle new from Gladstone Toyota all maintenance done there. Issue is the vehicle is unsafe to drive in Oregon in the middle of winter, Parts are not available to repair Toyota unwilling to reply or see what they can do for us using their online engagement website.

NHTSA ID
11501244
Incident
Dec 1, 2022
Visibility
Filed May 24, 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, there was a loud wind sound present. After opening the interior sun roof sliding shade, it was discovered that the glass sun roof had detached from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was repaired at a local repair center. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA ID
11418319
Incident
May 3, 2021
Mileage
168,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 23, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON OUR STREET, WHICH IS CONSIDERED A PRIVATE ROAD, WHILE PREPARING TO TURN AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD, A 94YR OLD WOMAN WALKED IN FRONT OF MY CAR, WAS STRUCK, AND DIED. AT NO TIME DURING MY TURN DID I SEE THE WOMAN AS SHE STEPPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. RESEARCH OF THE 2014 HIGHLANDER REVEALED MANY OWNERS HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING ANY OBJECT OR PERSON DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT OF THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. RESEARCH AT TOYOTA NATION FORUM, REVEALED ALL OWNERS HAD BLIND SPOTS DUE TO THE SIZE AND POSITION OF THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. MOST WERE RELATED TO DRIVERS 5'2" IN HEIGHT, BUT 6FT DRIVERS ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BLIND SPOT OF THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. IN FACT, I FOUND ANOTHER DRIVER WHO HIT A PEDESTRIAN, BUT THEIR VICTIM SURVIVED.

NHTSA ID
11203156
Incident
Jan 24, 2019
Mileage
42,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 23, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE AT THE DEALER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER (PRIME TOYOTA BOSTON, 1605 VFW PKWY, WEST ROXBURY, MA 02132) AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.

NHTSA ID
11064439
Incident
Apr 9, 2014
Visibility
Filed Oct 31, 2016

MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY KIDS, ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT AND THE GLASS FELL ALL OVER ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10920200
Incident
Oct 28, 2016
Mileage
29,700 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 26, 2014

THE SAFETY FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10628341
Incident
Aug 23, 2014
Mileage
470 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .