CarBrief

The 2015 Toyota Highlander has one recall on file, for an electric power steering part that can fail[1]. Owners filed 196 complaints with NHTSA, and electrical issues are the biggest group[2][3].

196owner complaints[2]
1recalls[4]
20–28MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 196 owner complaints for this model year[2]. Of those, 17 mention a crash[2], 6 a fire[2] and 16 injuries[2]. No deaths are reported[2]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Electrical System[3] 54
Unknown Or Other[7] 44
Structure[8] 32
Steering[9] 25
Brakes[10] 15

Electrical. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe the infotainment or navigation screen freezing, going dark and restarting. Others describe the car losing power or stalling while driving[3]. Four of the 54 electrical complaints list a fire[3]. This is a small sample, so it does not show how common any one problem is.

Structure. In the sample we read, owners describe door lock actuators that fail, a power liftgate that will not close properly and sunroof glass that shattered while driving[8].

Steering. In the sample we read, 6 of 12 texts are about waiting for parts for the steering recall repair[9]. Others describe the steering suddenly turning heavy or locking up[9]. See the recall section below.

Brakes. Only 15 complaints name the brakes, but 5 of them mention a crash[10]. In the sample we read, owners describe brakes that did not stop the car as expected, noises when braking and shaking from the rotors[10]. The numbers are small, so treat them as a reason to have the brakes checked on any used one, not as a pattern.

Speed control. 11 complaints name speed control, with 5 crashes and 4 injuries[11]. The group is small.

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year.

Before you buy, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repair was done on that exact car[1].

Fuel economy

EPA lists five versions. The hybrid is rated highest and the 3.5L AWD lowest[12][13][14][5][15].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl[12] 20 / 25 / 22 $3,050
2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl[13] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,200
AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl[14] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
Hybrid AWD[5] 27 / 28 / 28 $2,400
Hybrid AWD LE Plus[15] 28 / 28 / 28 $2,400

EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2015 Highlander 5 stars overall and 5 stars for side protection, with 4 stars each for frontal and rollover[6]. This applies to AWD, FWD and hybrid AWD[6][16][17].

NHTSA's rollover risk is 16.9% for AWD and hybrid AWD[6][17] and 18.5% for FWD[16].

Engine and size

EPA test data rates the 2.7L 4-cylinder at 185 hp[18]. The 3.5L 6-cylinder is rated 245 to 270 hp depending on version[19].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Length is 191 in, width 76 in, height 68 in and wheelbase 110 in for all three listed versions[20][21][22].

Version Curb weight
LE FWD[21] 4,244 lb
LE/XLE/Limited AWD[22] 4,398 lb
Hybrid LE/XLE/Limited[20] 4,784 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

2001: 137 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 301 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 258 complaints, 2 recalls2004: 286 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 225 complaints, 6 recalls2006: 648 complaints, 11 recalls2007: 234 complaints, 6 recalls20072008: 602 complaints, 12 recalls2009: 174 complaints, 10 recalls2010: 238 complaints, 11 recalls20102011: 186 complaints, 5 recalls2012: 191 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 212 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 138 complaints, 4 recalls2015: 196 complaints, 1 recalls19620152016: 117 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 274 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 274 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 506 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 330 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 546 complaints, 5 recalls2022: 269 complaints, 6 recalls20222023: 197 complaints, 9 recalls2024: 43 complaints, 7 recalls2025: 10 complaints, 4 recalls20252026: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Highlander model year. The 2015 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20011373
20023012
20032582
20042865
20052256
200664811
20072346
200860212
200917410
201023811
20111865
20121912
20132123
20141384
20151961
20161172
20172743
20182744
20195063
20203305
20215465
20222696
20231979
2024437
2025104
202640

NHTSA lists 196 complaints and 1 recall for 2015[4]. The neighboring years look like this[4]:

Only 2026, with 0 recalls, has fewer recalls than 2015 among all years listed[4]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, and newer years have had less time to collect them, so use this only as a rough guide[4].

Should you buy a used 2015 Highlander?

The 2015 Highlander has a good NHTSA overall rating of 5 stars[6]. It has one recall, which has a free fix[1]. Complaints lean toward electrical and infotainment trouble in the sample we read, and no single problem stands out from that sample[3]. Check that the steering recall was done, and test the screen, door locks and liftgate on a test drive[1][3][8]. Pick the version by fuel use: the hybrid is rated 28 MPG combined, against 20 to 22 for the others[5][12][13][14].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
Electrical System has the most complaints at 54 out of 196[2][3]. In the sample we read, owners describe infotainment screens restarting and some stalls[3].
Has the 2015 Toyota Highlander been recalled?
NHTSA lists one recall, 15V144, for the electric power steering control unit. The fix is a free replacement if the unit is in the affected range[1].
What MPG does the 2015 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA combined ratings run from 20 MPG for the 3.5L AWD to 28 MPG for the hybrid AWD[14][5].
How safe is the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal and rollover[6][16][17].
Is the 2015 Highlander better than 2014 or 2016?
It has 196 complaints[4] against 138 for 2014 and 117 for 2016[4]. It has 1 recall against 4 and 2[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Recall 15V144, filed March 13, 2015: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  2. NHTSA has 196 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Toyota Highlander (17 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 54 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,130). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Highlander model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Highlander Hybrid AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 28 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 44 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,053). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 32 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 25 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 15 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 11 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 6,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for Highlander 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for Highlander 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Highlander AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 28 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Toyota Highlander with 2.7L 4-cylinder: rated 185 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Toyota Highlander with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 245 to 270 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HIGHLANDER HYBRID LE/XLE/LIMITED: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,784 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HIGHLANDER LE FWD: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,244 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HIGHLANDER LE/XLE/LIMITED AWD: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,398 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.