Verdict
2015 Toyota Highlander: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2015 Toyota Highlander — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for SUV.
Owners filed 190 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 63% of 2015 SUVs. Electrical System leads the reports (24%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2015 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
190
Reports to NHTSA, 2015
Safety recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
22
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 63% of 2015 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2015 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (24% of 190 reports), followed by unknown or other (17%).
+ 14 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 190 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11581700, ODI 11574819, ODI 11451145, ODI 10983627, ODI 11736019.
Recalls(2)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Steering · 15V144000Details +Close −
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System · 18E107000Details +Close −
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.
Remedy: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2015 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2015 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus | 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 27 | 28 | 28 |
| Highlander 2WD | 2.7L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 | 25 | 22 |
| Highlander 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 | 25 | 21 |
| Highlander AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 | 24 | 20 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2015 Toyota Highlander: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
Owners filed 190 NHTSA complaints about the 2015 Toyota Highlander — more complaints than 63% of comparable 2015 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (24% of complaints) and unknown or other (17%).
How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Highlander have?
2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2015 Toyota Highlander, covering components such as steering. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Toyota Highlander get?
The EPA rates the 2015 Toyota Highlander between 20 and 28 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.