2015 Toyota Highlander problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (24) · Structure:body (22) · Electrical System (22)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Highlander model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
124 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Visibility:windshield 2018-11-27 · campaign 18E107000 · 8,202 vehicles
Defect: 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).
Risk: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2015-03-13 · campaign 15V144000 · 110,085 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (318)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
the air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. the procedures outlined in this service bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Showing the 6 most recent of 318 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-29 · Engine“my 2015 toyota highlander equipped with the 3.5l v6 engine developed an engine oil leak originating from the timing chain cover sealing area. on april 30, 2026, kearny mesa toyota in san diego, california, identified the leak during an inspection when the vehicle had a little over 100,000 miles. i am concerned that this condition may indicate prem…”
2026-09-23 · Structure:body“the paint is severely peeling on the outside. this can likely flake off and damages other vehicles, property, and roadway infrastructure. this is the factory coat of paint. color is toyota blizzard pearl (070)…”
2026-09-12 · Structure:body“blizzard white color - car paint peeling on multiple areas.…”
2026-08-27 · Unknown Or Other“the a/c condenser was damaged due to impact of road debris. this caused loss of proper system operation. the cost to repair was $1100+. the debris entered thru the front grill, which has nothing in place to prevent debris from entering the engine compartment.…”
2026-08-04 · Structure:body“the factory paint on my 2015 toyota highlander, blizzard pearl (toyota code 070), is delaminating from the primer. the base coat lifts and peels in sheets, starting on the roof, fender, and pillars — the panels with the greatest uv exposure. there has been no collision, repaint, or chemical damage; this is spontaneous adhesion loss between the fact…”
2026-07-17 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate · 133,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 toyota highlander. the contact stated that the power liftgate consistently failed halfway through while opening and closing the liftgate. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact became aware of information online about technical service bulletin: sb0023/16, nhtsa id num…”
2026-06-01 · Steering · 99,800 mi“the contact owns a 2015 toyota highlander. the contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the infotainment screen would go blank and the system would turn on inadvertently. this issue became more frequent, occurring approximately every 10 seconds. the power steering warning light also illuminated. the vehicle was take…”
2026-05-06 · Electrical System“door lock actuators, yes it is available for inspection. doors cannot be locked or unlocked with a remote key fob or the interior power door locks. lock defect poses a significant safety hazard in that a single or multiple doors may not lock at any time, whether the vehicle is on or off and despite actions or commands by the driver. the alleged def…”
2026-03-20 · Unknown Or Other“the moon roof in my car completely shattered out of no where while i was driving down the road and fell all into my backseat. if my children were in the car, they would have had glass all over them. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.