What's Wrong with the 3rd Generation (2014–2019) Highlander?

Highlander owners have made 174 complaints about the 2014–2019 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 64th out of 81 Toyota generations in overall reliability, with some interior and body concerns.

Compare With Other Highlander Generations

Common 2014-2019 Toyota Highlander Problems

Some of the worst issues 3rd generation Highlander owners have to deal with.

  1. Bluetooth Echos During Calls

    What's the point of hands-free calling if you can't have a conversation without an annoying echo getting in the way? That's the position many 2016-2019 Toyota owners find themselves in as they struggle with their car's bluetooth connection.

    Continue reading article "Bluetooth Echos During Calls"

  3. Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires

    Somewhere in the mid-2000's there was an industry-wide push by automakers to replace plastic and glass-based wiring insulation with a more eco-friendly soy-based coating. It's biodegradable, commendable, and a complete disaster for owners. …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

3rd Generation (2014–2019) Highlander Key Numbers

  1. 6 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 174 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 64th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 81 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 3rd Generation Highlander Owners

  • Freeman, et al., v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. et al.

    1. Case Filed

      Toyota Bluetooth echo problems have caused a class action lawsuit that alleges when the driver of the Toyota uses the hands-free phone system to make or receive a call, the person on the other end of the call hears an echo of their own words.

    Problem
    Bluetooth Echos During Calls
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2018 4Runner
    • 2017-2018 Avalon
    • 2017-2018 Avalon Hybrid
    • 2016-2018 Highlander
    • 2016-2018 Highlander Hybrid
    • 2016-2018 Prius
    • 2016-2018 Prius V
    • 2016-2018 Sequoia
    • 2016-2018 Sienna
    • 2016-2018 Tacoma
    • 2016-2018 Tundra
    • 2018 Yaris
    Location
    Missouri

Recent 3rd Generation (2014–2019) Highlander News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A lawsuit wonders how Toyota can keep calling their bluetooth implementation "hands-free" when owners very much need to use their hands to prevent echos on each and every call.

    For years owners have complained about this issue, but Toyota's only suggestion has been to pickup the phone and turn it's volume all the way up after the call has been initiated. Oh, and also make sure the radio volume is below level 45. Sorta defeats the point, don't you think?…

    keep reading article "Illinois Lawsuit Says Toyota's Hands-Free Calling is Unusable"

  2. Toyota has blamed a musty A/C smell on microbes [i.e., mold] growing o the evaporator surface and now a lawsuit wants them to do something about it.

    The plaintiffs claim the vehicles have defective heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that cause smells and health problems from mold that collects on the evaporators. Numerous complaints have allegedly been filed with the government, Toyota and Lexus dealerships nationwide since at least 1999.

    This isn't the first time Toyota has been sued for musty A/C units.

    keep reading article "Air Conditioner Lawsuit Complains About Mold Smell From Toyota HVAC"

  5. When Toyota switched away from using plastic or glass-based inulation in favor of soy, it invited in some very unwelcome Toyota loyalisits.

    According to the plaintiff, she learned the hard way about the soy wiring when her Avalon wouldn't start and a look under the hood showed wires chewed, so she had the car towed to a dealer. Toyota told her rodents had caused the damage and it would be no problem to repair the problems as long as she could cough up $6,000 to cover the bill.

    The soy-based wiring is allegedly attracting in rodents, who love to chew it up and use it for nesting material. The lawsuit, Heidi Browder vs. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al. follows a similar lawsuit filed against Honda earlier this year.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Toyota’s Use of Soy-Based Wiring is Attracting Rodent Damage"

  6. This just in from the team at Toyota: sensors work much better when they're connected during manufacturing.

    Toyota says federal safety standards require a vehicle to activate a warning light if there is a drop in the brake fluid level. However, the automaker says there is a possibility the wire harness that attaches to the brake fluid reservoir sensor was never connected during manufacturing.

    In other news: the sun is hot, traffic is the worst, and I can't believe this actually went unchecked. There's no word on when the recall will begin.

    keep reading article "Highlander Brake Sensor Needs to be Reconnected"

  7. A minor label issue is about to become a major pain in the butt for 2,500 Toyota and Scion owners.

    Why do automakers bother with recalls about stickers? Because of federal law. Based on federal regulations, a load carrying modification label must be added to a vehicle if weight exceeding the lesser of 1.5 percent of 100 pounds is added to a vehicle between final vehicle certification and the first retail sale of the vehicle. Any corrected values must be accurate to within 1 percent of the actual added weight.…

    keep reading article "Wrong Weight Limit Label Recall"

  8. Toyota says the power steering circuit board in 110,000 vehicles might have been damaged on arrival, prompting a recall.

    The circuit board was probably messed up during assembly and can cause a sudden loss of power steering. If you're traveling at slow speeds and your power steering suddenly goes away, pulling over to the side of the road is going to feel like you're steering through a vat of caramel. That sounds delicious, by the way.…

    keep reading article "Power Steering Circuit Recall"

  9. Pop quiz -- name two things that don't mix well because they're highly combustable.

    Go ahead, I'll wait ... if you said flammable liquids and sparks you're absolutely right! Bonus points to anyone that said republicans and democrats which is also 100% correct these days. Toyota recently announced it is recalling 20,000 vehicles that could experience gas leaks. Anytime flammable liquid is somewhere it shouldn't be, there's a chance for fire. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know:…

    keep reading article "Popular Models With Bad Welds Are Leaking Gas"

  10. Toyota says dealers need to reprogram the airbag electronic control unit (ECU) in the 2014 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid for a dangerous misunderstanding.

    The software used to determine the front seat passenger's size and weight is faulty. The system is classifying all passengers as small and light, regardless of their actual size. That kind of flattery will get you nowhere, Toyota. This can cause problems with how much force the seat belt uses, and ultimately can result in injury.…

    keep reading article "Highlander Airbag Occupant Sensor Failure"

What Highlander Owners Say About This Generation

Hands-Free Calls Are Unusable Due to Echo Defect

When speaking to someone on the phone using the bluetooth connection in the car, the person you're speaking with hears their own voice echo back to them. I drive often for work and am frequently on the phone. It's extremely annoying for whomever you're speaking with on the phone.

2018 Highlander Owner

Hands-Free Calls Are Unusable Due to Echo Defect

The Bluetooth in this car for phone calls is unusable. The caller on the other end says it echoes awful and I have to call them using the speaker on my phone. I have read TONS of postings about this online - no one seems to know how to fix it but a lot of people have it. I have tried all the posted suggestions but nothing fixes it.

2017 Highlander Owner