2015 Toyota Highlander
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 193
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2015
None on file
27% of complaints
Complaints per year
2015: 193 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 137 |
| 2002 | 301 |
| 2003 | 258 |
| 2004 | 286 |
| 2005 | 224 |
| 2006 | 278 |
| 2007 | 124 |
| 2008 | 404 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 216 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 182 |
| 2013 | 207 |
| 2014 | 136 |
| 2015 | 193 |
| 2016 | 111 |
| 2017 | 271 |
| 2018 | 272 |
| 2019 | 505 |
| 2020 | 320 |
| 2021 | 531 |
| 2022 | 260 |
| 2023 | 184 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
27% · 52 reportsMost commonly citing rear compartment/trunk.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. While stopped at a gas station with the engine on, the contact's wife smelled an abnormal, burning odor coming from the vehicle without warning.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-08
My Highlander had a strange burning smell and we couldnât find where it was coming from. We took it to a shop where they checked everything over and suggested that the smell was our brakes.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-01
Also filed under Seats
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+.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-27
Structure
17% · 33 reportsMost commonly citing body and hatchback/liftgate.
Show complaint excerpts
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 â the panels with the greatest UV exposure.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-04
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)
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-21
Steering
13% · 25 reportsService brakes
8% · 15 reportsVisibility/wiper
6% · 12 reportsSafety timeline
2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2015-05-07Steering15V144000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles.
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.
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R
2019-01-29Electrical system, visibility18E107000 Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2015 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 52 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 33 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 25 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 15V144000 · Steering
- Recall 18E107000 · Electrical system, visibility
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2015 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Toyota Highlander is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Highlander have?
- 2 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.