2015 Toyota Highlander: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 242 complaints
242
Total Complaints
30,800mi
Median Mileage
Electrical System
Top Issue
19
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

7,500 25th Percentile
30,800 Median Mileage
64,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Electrical System
47
Unknown Or Other
42
Steering
24
Body
21
Service Brakes
15
Visibility/Wiper
12
Vehicle Speed Control
11
Exterior Lighting
10
Engine
9
Air Bags
8

Severity Assessment

19
Crashes
11
Fires
17
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"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 REPO..."
"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 RECUR..."
"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..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Electrical System 47 complaints
25th: 18,050 mi Median: 39,130 mi 75th: 67,375 mi
Unknown Or Other 42 complaints
25th: 4,100 mi Median: 21,800 mi 75th: 50,000 mi
Steering 24 complaints
25th: 8,838 mi Median: 33,836 mi 75th: 48,000 mi
Body 21 complaints
25th: 13,840 mi Median: 16,000 mi 75th: 44,195 mi
Service Brakes 15 complaints
25th: 6,875 mi Median: 10,000 mi 75th: 37,666 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 20 NC: 19 MA: 13 VA: 12 PA: 12 WA: 12 IL: 11 FL: 11 NJ: 11 SC: 10

Who Files Complaints?

2.1%
Original Owners
97.9%
Second+ Owners

Toyota Highlander — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

YearComplaintsCrashes
200115828
200233527
200331643
200433542
200528950
200634438
200715915
200850259
20091777
201027128
201122816
201222820
201327944
20141558
201613722
201734832
201832838
201957638
202031819
202151629
202225222
202319414
2024429

Active Recalls (2)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Electrical System
Campaign 18E107000 | 27/11/2018
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.
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 15V144000 | 13/03/2015
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 1-800-331-433

Maintain Your Electrical System

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

  • Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
  • Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
  • Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
  • Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
  • Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom

Compare Toyota Highlander

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28