2015 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 192 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 17 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical systemNov 27, 2018
Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
Campaign 18E107000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMar 13, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 15V144000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
192 reports, newest first.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 31, 2015
I PURCHASED THIS CAR 7-31-2015, BY 8-3-2015 I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS LOOKED BADLY PITTED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ON 8-7-2015 TOOK IT IN. THEY SAID IT WAS PITCH FROM A TREE AND AGREED TO DETAIL IT TO REMOVE THE SAP. I PICKED IT UP THE SAME DAY. THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM AS THE WINDOWS ARE STILL SHOWING PRISMS WHEN LIGHT COMES THROUGH. WHEN I CAME BACK ABOUT IT AGAIN 8-28-25015 THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T SEE IT AT ALL BUT DID PULL ANOTHER HIGHLANDER OUT THAT WAS JUST TAKEN OFF THE TRUCK, IT TOO HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE PITTING, THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD BUT NOT THE PASSENGER WINDOWS. I'M NOT HAPPY THAT I WAS SOLD A CAR WITH DEFECTIVE WINDOWS. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR NIGHT DRIVING OR WHEN THE SUN IS LOW. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS?
Steering, Aug 24, 2015
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. SCHEDULED SERVICE ON VEHICLE FOR SATURDAY THE 22ND OF SEPTEMBER 2015, 0930. DOCUMENTATION INDICATED THE RECALL WOULD TAKE A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS TO COMPLETE. RECALL WAS FOR EPS ECU, URGENT SAFETY RECALL. AT ABOUT 1445, RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART AND MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE READY UNTIL THE PART WAS IN ON TUESDAY THE 25TH AND REPAIRS COMPLETED. WHY DID THEY NOT HAVE THE PART ON HAND AT THE DEALER IF THIS WAS AN URGENT RECALL? CALLED TOYOTA, REF # 1508221403 AND THEY INDICATED THEY ONLY SEND THE PART WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING THE REPAIR. THIS IS NOT "WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME" FOR AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2015
WHILE TRAVELLING ON INTERSTATE 25 NEAR FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER'S CLOSED PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHATTERED. WE WERE TRAVELLING AT A SPEED OF 75 MPH ON A CLOUDY DAY WITH NO OBSTACLES OR FLYING DEBRIS NOTICED. THIS IS A NEW 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT WE HAVE ONLY BEEN DRIVING 4 MONTHS. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME AND THE DEBRIS WAS LUCKILY TRAPPED BY THE ROOF LINING. WE QUICKLY EXITED TO A NEARBY GAS STATION WHERE A LARIMER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WAS STOPPED. HE LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE AND WROTE A REPORT.
Steering, Aug 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. THE EPS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,040.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2015, fire
PICKED UP 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM THE DEALER DROVE IT HOME. OPERATED THE CAR FOR ONE DAY, PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AND LATER HAD A FIRE IN THE GARAGE THAT DESTROYED THE HOUSE AND 2 OTHER VEHICLES . AS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL "UNDETERMINED" SEVERAL FIRE INSPECTOR 'S I SPOKE WITH "SUSPECT" THE VEHICLE AS A "SUSPECTED ORIGIN"... AS THE FIRE WAS SO HOT THAT NOT MUCH WAS LEFT OF THE TOYOTA TO REVIEW BASED ON HISTORY THIS INCIDENT SHOULD BE NOTED.... THIS HIGHLANDER HAD LESS THEN 80 TOTAL MILES OF OPERATION AND OPERATED FOR LESS THE 3 DAY'S... NOTHING OUT OF THE NORMAL NOTED ABOUT THE CAR THE DAY OF THE FIRE.. LOOKING OVER ISSUES WITH THE 2014 MODEL YEAR HAVING FIRE ISSUES I WOULD AGREE WITH THE INSPECTOR'S OPINION THAT WOULD BE A HIGHLY SUSPECT CAUSE..
Suspension, Service brakes, Aug 4, 2015
CLUNKING NOISE FROM REAR END OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING, DEALER WAS AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE REAR AWAY BARS AND SHOCKS, NO FIX, NOW TOYOTA CORP., SAYS THIS IS NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE ? I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE WITH NOISE, AND AS BRAKES FEEL SOFT ALSO.
Steering, Jun 1, 2015
I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER FOR THE EPS ECU UNIT 5/13. INSPECTION WOULD TAKE 1.5 HOURS, REPLACEMENT 2.5 HOURS OR LONGER DEPENDING ON THE DEALER'S WORK SCHEDULE. THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPT AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS 5/20. ON 5/20 I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A MORNING APPOINTMENT AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART, WOULD KEEP MY VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD PROVIDE A LOANER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON 5/27 FOR AN UPDATE. WAS TOLD THE PART DID NOT ARRIVE BUT IT WAS EXPECTED THE NEXT DAY. THEY WOULD CALL WITH AN UPDATE ON 5/28. NO CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON 5/28 SO I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER (CEC) AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. ON 6/1, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PART STILL HAD NOT ARRIVED BUT HAD BEEN SHIPPED. I CALLED MY CEC REP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DELAY. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE LAST MONTH AND THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ARRIVING SOMETIME DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE. I ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION OF THE INFORMATION DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE LETTER, TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP ON THE PART AVAILABILITY FOR THIS RECALL . I ALSO ASKED WHAT TOYOTA'S DEFINITION OF A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME WAS FOR ADDRESSING THIS RECALL AND MY REP WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER SUGGESTING THAT THE TIME VARIED BY STATE. DAY 13 HAS PASSED AND NEITHER MY DEALERSHIP NOR TOYOTA SEEM HAVE A CLUE WHEN THIS WILL BE RESOLVED. IN ADDITION, BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA WERE INFORMED DURING OUR INITAL CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAVE A CROSS-COUNTRY RELOCATION SCHEDULED FOR 6/8. MY REP SAID SHE WOULD CALL ME ON JUNE 4 TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE PROGRESSING. WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE IN THE RECALL LETTER THIS WAS LESS THAN A ONE DAY PROJECT WHEN INDEED THERE IS AND HAS BEEN A SERIOUS SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEM. HONESTY FROM TOYOTA ON DAY ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE.
Steering, Jun 1, 2015
I TOOK MY 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TO FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA IN RALEIGH FOR A RECALL ON THE CIRUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THEY FOUND THAT MY CAR CONTAINED THE DEFECCTIVE PART AND WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME AN ETA ON THE REPLACEMENT PART. THE DEALERSHIIP PROVIDED A CAMRY RENTAL CAR, NOT A COMPARABLE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE REASON I PURCHASED THE HIGHLANDER WAS BECUASE MY FAMILY NEED A LARGE SUV. I TRADED IN A CAR FOR AN SUV AND HAVE RECEIVED A CAR BACK FROM THEM. I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES FOR THE RENTAL CAR MANAGER AND HE HAS NOT RETURNED MY CALLS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATES THATT SEVERAL HIGHLANDERS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS PART FOR OVER A MONTH NOW, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT COULD BE OVER A MONTH BEFORE I GET MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE BACK (NO ONE CAN TELL ME), AND I'M STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT MEET MY FAMILIES DAILY NEEDS. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY HAVE OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
Steering, May 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000(STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Steering, May 29, 2015
A SAFETY RECALL ON A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHEN IS THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.
Steering, May 22, 2015
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL ON MAY 12 ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER ON MAY 13, AND WAS TOLD LATER THAT DAY THAT MY CAR DID INDEED HAVE ONE OF THE UNITS DEEMED DEFECTIVE. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR AT NO CHARGE. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK, BUT NOW IT IS 10 DAYS LATER, AND NO REPLACEMENT PART HAS ARRIVED. NOT ONLY THAT BUT BOTH THE DEALER AND THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER ARE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO PREDICT WHEN ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. IS THERE ANY WAY TO MAKE TOYOTA MORE RESPONSIVE? IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET TOYOTA TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN QUESTION? WHAT CONSTITUTES A "REASONABLE TIME" FOR TOYOTA TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT?
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2015
THE DASH READOUT FOR MPH BEGAN SHOWING VERY ERRATIC NMBERS. GOING FROM 24.4 MPG TO 29.7 MPG AND DOWN TO 13.1 MPG ALL IN A SPAN OF ABOUT 4 MILES. THIS MPG OF 24.4 WAS FOR THE PRIOR 3000 MILES. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS HAPPENING. THEY ALSO SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD NO BULLETINS FOR THIS MATTER EITHER. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THAT I MUST HAVE ACCIDENTALLY RESET THE UNIT AND BY DOING SO IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THESE LARGE SWINGS IN MPG. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I HAD OVER 100 MILES ON SINCE MY LAST FILL UP AND UNTIL THIS HAPPENING THE MPG NUMBER WAS QUITE STEADY. THE ONLY THAT I INDEED MAY HAVE DONE THIS WAS THAT LAST FILL UP BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY TIME THAT I EVER DO A RESET AND I DID NOT DO IT AT THAT TIME. PREVIOUSLY I HAD SEEN SOME STRANGE SWINGS IN MPG BUT NOT AS LARGE OF A SWING AND NOT LASTING FOR AS LONG OF TIME AND THOSE INSTANCES THE READING DID SELF CORRECT.
Electrical system, May 8, 2015
HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO GET NHTSA'S HELP BECAUSE TOYOTA WON'T PROVIDE ANY REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM. ON 4/17/2015, I BOUGHT A TOYOTA 2015 HIGHLANDER LE PLUS FROM TOYOTA NORTH BRUNSWICK (NJ) AND NOTICED BUZZING SOUND AFTER DRIVING ONLY ~30 MINUTES. BUZZING SOUND COMES FROM DASHBOARD AREA CONSTANTLY, ~ONCE EVERY MINUTE (IN THE BEGINNING OF DRIVING) TO ~EVERY SECOND (AFTER DRIVING AN HOUR). THE NOISE IS FROM THE AIR BLEND SERVO (RELATED TO AC) AS ACKNOWLEDGED BY LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DPT, BUT TOYOTA KEEPS SAYING THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL NO MATTER HOW OFTEN IT HAPPENS BECAUSE THE REGIONAL TOYOTA FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST (FTS) [XXX] SAID SO, I.E. TOYOTA CAN'T HELP YOU. (NOTE: HE HASN'T EVEN CHECKED MY VEHICLE IN PERSON.) I THINK THE NOISE ITSELF CAN HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT THE PROBLEM IS FREQUENCY, JUST LIKE SNEEZING EVERY SECOND IS NOT NORMAL EVEN THOUGH SNEEZING ITSELF IS NORMAL TO HUMAN. A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THE OTHER DAY THAT REPLACING AIR BLEND SERVO IS PRETTY EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THE WHOLE DASHBOARD NEEDS TO BE TAKEN APART. I SUSPECT TOYOTA WON'T FIX THIS UNDER ITS WARRANTY UNLESS THIS PROBLEM BECOMES LIFE THREATENING, I.E. TOO EXPENSIVE FOR TOYOTA. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ASK "HOW CAN YOU DRIVE WITH THIS CRAZY NOISE?". THE NOISE IS ALMOST LIKE SLEEPING W/ 100 GNATS IN THE SAME ROOM. I AM A DRIVE WITH OVER 20 YEARS' EXPERIENCE AND HAVE ALWAYS USED NEW VEHICLES, BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH NEW VEHICLES FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. P.S. I ALSO FOUND MORE PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM AND FRUSTRATION: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/333-3RD-GENERATION-2014/1077937-WEIRD-VIBRATING-BUZZING-NOISE.HTML. *TR
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2015
APRIL 24, 2015 [XXX] TO AN APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: IN NOVEMBER 2014, I PURCHASED A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED MODEL ID# [XXX]:. DURING FREEZING WEATHER THIS WINTER I DISCOVERED A DANGEROUS DESIGN FAULT RELATING TO THE VEHICLE. MUCH OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN BE ENTRAPPED AND EMBEDDED IN ICE, AND THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT MELT ICE IN THAT AREA. THE WIPERS ARE INCAPACITATED. THE DEFROSTER CLEARS THE WINDSHIELD BUT DOES NOTHING TO FREE THE WIPERS FROM ICE. THAT WAS THE CASE FOR ME DURING FOUR DAYS OF FREEZING WEATHER. THERE IS AN AUXILIARY FUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE THAT ADDRESSES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. BUT THAT ONLY "BUMPS" THE ICE, IT DOES NOTHING TO MELT THE ICE. APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR APPROPRIATELY ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Feb 18, 2015
THIS HIGHLANDER HAS A POWER LIFTGATE. IF A CHILD OR ADULT GETS IN THE WAY OF THE LIFTGATE WHEN IT IS LOWERING, THE CHILD OR ADULT CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED, CRUSHED OR KILLED BECAUSE THE LIFTGATE HAS NO EASY REVERSING FEATURE. IT DOES REVERSE WHEN IT HITS AN OBJECT BUT THE FORCE REQUIRED TO MAKE IT REVERSE IS TOO GREAT AND WILL HURT OR KILL A HUMAN WHO GETS IN THE WAY. PEOPLE OFTEN REACH IN THE TRUNK TO FETCH SOMETHING AFTER THE OPERATOR DECIDES TO CLOSE THE TRUNK. IF THIS HAPPENS WITH THE POWER CLOSER, THE OPERATOR MUST KNOW THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE STOP CONTROL EITHER BY FEEL OR BY SIGHT TO STOP THE OPERATION OF THE LIFTGATE IN ORDER TO PREVENT INJURY. THIS IS ASKING TOO MUCH OF THE OPERATOR. THE LIFT GATE SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO REVERSE OR STOP IMMEDIATELY JUST LIKE THE SAFETY FEATURES ON AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR CLOSERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOME GETS HURT OR KILLED. I HAVE ALREADY POINTED THIS OUT TO TOYOTA AND THE FILE NUMBER IS #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Jan 22, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE MOLDING ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOLDING WAS NOT SEALED PROPERLY TO PREVENT WATER FROM LEAKING IN. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700. ....UPDATED 07/22/15 *BF UPDATED 9/21/2015 *JS
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2014
I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND SEVERAL HOURS LATER I HAPPENED TO NEED SOMETHING OUT THERE. WHEN I ENTERED I HEARD AN ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CRAWLING UNDER THE CAR I FOUND THAT THE SOUND WAS COMMING FROM A MOTOR NEAR THE REAR AXLE. I REPORTED IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS A MOTOR THAT MAY RUN HOURS AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF TO PURGE THE CARBON CANISTER. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY FOUND THAT INFORMATION IN THEIR SERVICE MANUAL, BUT NOT THE OWNERS MANUAL. ONE TIME OUR LAWN MOWER DECIDED TO LEAK DURING THE NIGHT RESULTING IN HEAVY GASOLINE FUMES IN THE GARAGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN I DO NOT THINK ANY ELECTRIC MOTOR ON THE CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNILATERALLY DECIDE WHEN TO RUN AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. *TR