YearToAvoid

2015 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2015 Toyota Highlander has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues dominate at 32% of complaints, with one steering-related recall affecting the year.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#11 of 21 Highlander years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
192
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
17
reported in complaints
Fires
6
Injuries
16
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2016
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
19 city / 25 hwy
Injuries / deaths
16 / 0

Top 2015 Toyota Highlander problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System61 (32%)
  2. Other44 (23%)
  3. Structure & Body37 (19%)
  4. Steering25 (13%)
  5. Engine21 (11%)
  6. Brakes17 (9%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers13 (7%)
  8. Airbags8 (4%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain7 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Drivers report sudden loss of steering and acceleration at highway speed accompanied by a check engine or "check awd" warning.
  • Steering wheel reportedly locked up while driving on a winding road, causing loss of control and a rollover.
  • Brake pedal failure or unresponsiveness has been reported at low speeds, including one case where a rubber pedal piece detached.
  • Owners describe unintended acceleration or engine surging during slow-speed maneuvers like parking.
  • Side mirror placement has been reported to create blind spots for shorter drivers at intersections.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in at least one low-speed collision.
2015 Toyota Highlander complaints: complaints filed per quarter92014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42019 Q22020 Q42022 Q22023 Q42025 Q3
192 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q3 (9).

2015 Toyota Highlander recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 15V144000Mar 13, 2015Steering110,085 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    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.

2015 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2015 compared with other Highlander years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Good45207320
2014Best10135421
2015Caution50192121
2016Best15110221
2017Caution65267322.5

All Toyota Highlander years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Toyota Highlander reliable?
NHTSA data shows 192 complaints for the 2015 Highlander with a complaint index of 50, placing it 11th worst among 21 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Highlander years.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
Electrical System complaints are the largest category, making up 32% of all complaints (61 of 192), with a median failure mileage of 30,650 miles reported for the model year overall.
Does the 2015 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 15V144000, covering an electric power steering component; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2015 Highlander compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 50 is worse than the 2014 and 2016 Highlander, both rated Best with complaint indexes of 10 and 15, but better than 2019 and 2021, which are rated Avoid with indexes of 95 and 100.
What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
EPA rates the 2015 Highlander at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.