2014 Toyota Highlander: Engine runs and shifts rough
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2014 Highlander report: engine runs and shifts rough. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 1,450 miles.
NHTSA has 3 owner complaints for the 2014 Highlander in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11505234 (filed 02/02/2023): “While driving car started singing and message came on dashboard about idling will cause the engine to turn off then the car turned off while i was driving it has happened multiple other times even after taking it to the dealership twice and then doing an updat…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11364190 (filed 10/13/2020): “Near the end of a 180 mile trip, vehicle was on highway traveling at approximately 60 mph when light came on saying engine had stopped. engine was smoking and was completely out of oil despite it being full at the start of the trip. mechanic found that engine …”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: broken wire under the intake manifold (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $550 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Engine runs and shifts rough (2014 Highlander)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2014 Highlander
Page last updated .