2015 Toyota Highlander: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2015 Toyota Highlander? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 184 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2015 Toyota Highlander Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 5 2015 Toyota Highlander trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2015 Toyota Highlander Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2015 Toyota Highlander SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
16.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
16.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2015 Toyota Highlander has 184 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Highlander
- Model year
- 2015
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 184
- Crash-related complaints
- 17
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 25
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2015 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Uncategorized Issues
Structural Problems
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Uncategorized Issues, Structural Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2015 Toyota Highlander?
The 2015 Toyota Highlander shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2015 Toyota Highlander
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring, for any signs of failure.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, brakes, and structural components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported problem areas.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring, for any signs of failure.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, brakes, and structural components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported problem areas.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or steering anomalies.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2015 Toyota Highlander, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 184 NHTSA complaints for the 2015 Toyota Highlander, the most frequently reported issues involve electrical faults, followed by uncategorized problems and structural concerns. Steering defects and brake system complaints are also notable. With only 17 crash-related complaints and a low confidence level, these data points suggest areas for buyer attention but do not confirm widespread defects.
- Electrical faults account for the highest number of complaints (48) among all components.
- Steering defects (24 complaints) and brake system issues (15 complaints) are also commonly reported.
- Unintended acceleration (11 complaints) and engine problems (11 complaints) appear less frequently but are still present.
- Electrical faults are the most reported concern, with 48 complaints.
- Structural problems are the third most reported, with 27 complaints.
- Steering defects are the fourth most reported, with 24 complaints.
All 2015 Toyota Highlander Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Toyota Highlander. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 48 | — | 4 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 42 | — | 4 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 27 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 24 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 15 | 5 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | 5 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 11 | — | 2 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 8 | 5 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2015 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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.
Exterior lights continually burn out.
The side mirrors are too large and located in a position that when the driver is turning left the driver's side mirror blocks the ability to see the crosswalk and also the center divider of the lane they are turning into and has almost caused me to strike a center divider and not…
[XXX] battery light appeared on dash. [XXX] on my way to Limestone service station 399 Danbury rd Ridgefield ct ph203-438-8028 a warning appeared on dash stating i will lose steering.Luckily I managed to pull into a parking lot and lost all ability to steer. Thank God i was not …
Paint is peeling off my car, This is confirmed by Toyota it was covered by the Consumer Support program which expired in July however the paint did not start peeling off until last week.Toyota said that there wasn't anything they could do. this is clearly a manufacture defect and…
When right front pax sits in seat and fastens seatbelt, the airbag indicator correctly says "ON." But after a few minutes, the airbag turns "OFF" and the driver's dash gets an "unfastened seatbelt" warning and a "faulty airbag" warning. All of these occur while the front right …
The blizzard pearl paint on my vehicle is peeling off of the roof and possibly the side of the vehicle.
I have noticed speed issues or high idling with this vehicle for a while. I committed a rear end collision with a vehicle on July 4, 2025, at approximately 2pm. My car rear ended his truck while it was stopped behind another vehicle. My vehicle sustained total damage to the fr…
On [XXX] my vehicle suffered an unintended acceleration on a very busy highway of The Dominican Republic, reaching a speed of 100 MPH. I was able to drive the car into the bushes of the highway service road hitting all king of obstacles such as trees, wall, advertising signs and…
Driving to take my son to work. Check engine light came on said check and system. Hard shifting put in manual drive and made it to destination.
Driving the car was hard to steer. Check engine light came on and check speed sensor. Went to a mechanic and disconnected the battery, the sensor reset and back driving ok for about two weeks. This went on for a few weeks. Been a month now and it hasn't come on but it was danger…
Trunk keeps malfunctioning. During lift would not open all the way or at all and sometimes once open will not close.
Unknown-tailgate failure keeps beeping will not automatically go up or down not sure why?
I have a 2015 Toyota Highlander XLE. Last winter I began noticing a burning smell which I believed to be electrical inside the vehicle. I was able to determine it was the driver seat heater and the burning smell continued even with the toggle switch turned off. I stopped at a loc…
BSM works when it want to and sometimes not at all
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull into a …
SPONTANEOUS VEHICLE FIRE: While driving approximately 20-30 miles per hour, with no other symptoms or advance warning signs, a message suddenly appeared on the dashboard saying "Engine Failure - Turn off Ignition". The temperature gauge was firmly in the normal range; the car had…
Upon being reviewed the rear U Joint was loose & needed replaced @ 167,361 miles.
I am curious as to why my front tires are wearing out on the outside? It was suggested to get a front end alignment & I did. But as the photos shows these tires are wearing uneven. I also have a rumbling vibration that comes from the front tires upon accelerating from a traffi…
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. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact's wife saw flames shooting from the dashboard near …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2015 Toyota Highlander.
2015 Toyota Highlander Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2015 Toyota Highlander. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2015 Toyota Highlander Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2015 Toyota Highlander reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 184 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2015 Toyota Highlander shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota Highlander?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (48 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (42 complaints). #3: Structural Problems (27 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2015 Toyota Highlander?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2015 Toyota Highlander?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2015 Toyota Highlander, NHTSA complaints include 17 crash-related reports and 6 fire reports out of 184 total complaints. 16 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2015 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2015 Toyota Highlander. A major recall area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2015 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2015 Toyota Highlander shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2015 Toyota Highlander based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.