Recall 14V051 affects 7,067 2014 Toyota Highlander vehicles for an unsecured third-row middle seat belt anchor. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 7,067 2014 Highlander SUVs because the third row middle seat belt assembly was not properly secured to the floor anchorage during assembly. A loose anchorage raises injury risk for that occupant in a crash; the Toyota dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The third row middle seat belt assembly in a 2014 Toyota Highlander is the belt and mounting hardware for the center passenger in the rear seat. Its floor anchorage is the fixed point where the belt attaches to the vehicle body, so crash forces are carried into the structure instead of the passenger.
On affected Highlanders, the recall concerns a seat belt assembly that was not properly secured to that floor anchorage during vehicle assembly. If the attachment is loose or incomplete, the belt does not have the firm mounting point it needs. In a crash, that can keep the belt from restraining the passenger as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The attachment is hidden under trim or the seat area, so an owner is not expected to see the problem during normal use.
Who's affected?
| 2014 Toyota Highlander | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 7,067 |
Not every 2014 Toyota Highlander is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the third-row middle seat belt anchor is loose, the belt is less secure in a crash, increasing injury risk for that occupant. If your VIN is included, schedule the dealer inspection and repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014 Toyota Highlander is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to ask whether the free third-row middle seat belt anchor inspection and repair is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the free third-row middle seat belt anchor inspection and repair so the belt is secured to the floor anchorage.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V051 when you call.
- Use another seating position for the third-row middle passenger until the dealer confirms the anchor is secured.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician inspects the third row middle seat belt anchor and checks whether it is properly secured to the vehicle floor anchorage. If the anchor is loose or improperly attached, the technician secures it correctly. Toyota's filing describes this inspection and anchorage repair as free under the recall, with parts and labor covered once the dealer repair is available.
Timeline
| February 7, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 17, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V051?
Recall 14V051 covers 7,067 2014 Toyota Highlander vehicles with a third row middle seat belt anchor that was not properly secured during assembly. An unsecured seat belt anchor increases injury risk to an occupant during a crash. Toyota dealers will inspect and secure the anchor for free.
What should I do if my 2014 Toyota Highlander is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Highlander is included in recall 14V051. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for the third row middle seat belt anchor inspection. Reference recall number 14V051 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recalled safety defects at no cost, and Toyota's remedy says dealers will inspect the third row middle seat belt anchor and secure it to the floor anchorage free of charge.
Is it safe to drive a 2014 Toyota Highlander with this recall?
Toyota did not issue a do-not-drive order for recall 14V051. The concern is the third row middle seat belt anchor. Until the dealer completes the inspection and repair, avoid seating a passenger in that position, and ask the dealer what to do if you need to use every seat.
What if I bought my Toyota Highlander used?
The free repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. If Toyota never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your Highlander is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer with recall number 14V051.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V051000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V051 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V051000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →