2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    infotainment head unit

    5 unsafe, 12 annoyance

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 52,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM REBOOTS TO DEFAULT SETTINGS APPROX 1 - 3 TIMES A WEEK REQUIRING DRIVER ATTENTION TO RESET. UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER WITH NEW UNIT. NEW UNIT HAS THE SAME REBOOT FREQUENCY. THIS REBOOT TYPICALLY OCCURS AFTER "NORMAL" START, TH…"~2,136 mi, complaint #1272395
    • "INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM KEEPS CRASHING AND REBOOTING DURING NORMAL OPERATION/DRIVING CONDITIONS. MOST OCCURRENCES HAPPENED DURING HOT DAYS BUT HAS OCCURRED DURING IN THE MORNING WHEN THE TEMP. WAS BELOW 70 F. OCCURRED ON JULY 17 (3-4 TIMES), AUG 20 (OVER 10 TIME…"~23,000 mi, complaint #1313229
    • "WHILE DRIVING, THE RADIO AND MAPPING SYSTEM WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. THERE THEN IS NO WAY TO RESET THE MAP AND/OR RADIO, OTHER THAN TO STOP THE VEHICLE, TURN IT OFF AND THEN RESTART IT. SOMETIMES, IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE RESTART TO HAVE THE SYSTEM BACK TO…"~52,250 mi, complaint #1593213
    • "THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM WILL GO HAYWIRE THEN REBOOT ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. YOU CAN NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE SCREEN WHILE IT IS GOING HAYWIRE. I HAVE A VIDEO BUT COULD NOT UPLOAD IT. THIS HAPPENS A LOT."~75,000 mi, complaint #1583935
    • "TOUCH SCREENS AUDIO SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING FOR THE PASS TWO YEARS"~170,365 mi, complaint #1547470
  2. #2

    power windows and locks

    13 unsafe, 2 broken, 1 annoyance

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (ATLANTA TOYOTA LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], DULUTH, GA 30096; […"~9,000 mi, complaint #1394726
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON AND/OR KEY FAILED TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324, [REDACTED PHONE]). THE DEALER STATED THAT…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1474924
    • "DRIVER-SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY FOB, DOOR HANDLE, OR THE SWITCH INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ISSUE WAS SPORADIC AT FIRST BUT NOW OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME WE (TRY TO) LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE TO BE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR, WHI…"~60,200 mi, complaint #1588995
    • "THREE OF THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE SAME TIME. MY WIFE CANNOT UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS WITHOUT GOING TO THE ONE DOOR THAT IS WORKING WHEN SHE PUSHES THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON HER REMOTE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS…"~83,000 mi, complaint #1591936
    • "DOOR ACTUATORS ON BOTH REAR PASSENGER DOORS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. DOOR LOCKS DO NOT RESPOND TO POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH NOR THE KEY FOBS."~110,000 mi, complaint #1700361
  3. #3

    steering electric assist

    16 unsafe

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 41,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL ON MAY 12 ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER ON MAY 13, AND WAS TOLD LATER THAT DAY THAT MY CAR DID INDEED HAVE ONE OF THE UNITS DEEMED DEFECTIVE. I…"~4,700 mi, complaint #1184884
    • "RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. SCHEDULED SERVICE ON VEHICLE FOR SATURDAY THE 22ND OF SEPTEMBER 2015, 0930. DOCUMENTATION INDICATED THE RECALL WOULD TAKE A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS TO COMPLETE. RECALL WAS FOR EPS ECU, URGENT SAFETY RECALL. AT ABOUT 1445, RECEIVE…"~9,784 mi, complaint #1212268
    • "OUR 2015 HIGHLANDER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS UP AND HAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. FIRST HAPPENED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO SIT AND START AND STOP OVER 15 TIMES AND THE STEERING FINALLY CAME BACK. WE IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID TH…"~41,000 mi, complaint #1637985
    • "IT IS HARD TO TURN WHEEL ON LOW SPEED. BOTH DIRECTIONS"~88,000 mi, complaint #1448684
    • "THIS VEHICLE HAS A REALLY BAD ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL,IT FEELS LIKE IT WONDERS FROM TIME TO TIME.THEN THE MOTOR WILL STALL OUT ALMOST COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. TAKEN TO DEALER TO ONLY HAVE THEM NOT REPLICATE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1720397
  4. #4

    trunk or liftgate

    6 unsafe, 5 broken, 1 annoyance

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 34,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE POWER LIFTGATE CLOSED ON MY HEAD WHEN I WAS PUTTING STUFF IN THE TRUNK. IT WAS OPEN LIKE NORMAL, BUT THEN IT SUDDENLY DROPPED WITHOUT WARNING. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS CLOSING COMPLETELY. IT IS STILL HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT INTO…"~5,500 mi, complaint #1405510
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR HATCH MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT LIFT UP WHEN PROMPTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A CONSTANT BEEPING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL. THE DEALER WAS NOT C…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1393003
    • "THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE REAR GATE REMAINS IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHICH KEEPS THE HATCH UNABLE TO ENGAGE ALLOWING THE GATE TO FLY OPEN WHEN DRIVING. THIS CAUSES A DANGER TO PETS AND MATERIAL STORED IN THE REAR OF THE [REDACTED ADDRESS] WHILE MOVING IN A S…"~31,288 mi, complaint #1637167
    • "SOON AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT THE LIFT GATE TO THE TRUNK HATCH BEGAN LEAKING LUBRICATION AND INTERMITTANLY WOULD NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY, CLOSE ALL THE WAY, OR OPEN OR CLOSE AT ALL. MANY TIMES, I WOULD NEED TO MANUALLY PUSH THE HATCH DOWN TO CLOSE, WHICH REQUIRED…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1502774
    • "The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the power liftgate consistently failed halfway through while opening and closing the liftgate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact be…"~133,000 mi, complaint #2226557
  5. #5

    other

    6 unsafe, 5 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE MOLDING ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOLDING WAS NOT SEALED PROPERLY TO PREVENT…"~700 mi, complaint #1150301
    • "MANY TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS ARE EFFECTED BY A CONSISTENT BUZZING NOISE IN THE CABIN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED TO A FAULTY AIR SERVO MOTOR. AT FIRST GLANCE, YOU MIGHT SAY THIS BUZZING NOISE ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER I BEG TO DISAGREE AS MANY HAVE ATTEST…"~3,500 mi, complaint #1231864
    • "THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND DROPS DOWN OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW OF THE ROAD COMPLETELY(IF TALLER THAN 5'9'). WHEN SWUNG TO THE SIDE IT OBSTRUCTS THE VIEW OUT THE LEFT WINDOW, AND DISTRACTS THE DRIVER BY SWINGING INTO THE LEFT SIDE OF THEIR FACE WHILE…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1470621
    • "BOTH DIVER AND PASSENGER VISORS DO NOT STAY SET. THEY MOVE UP WHEN NOT EXPECTED AND THE SUN IS IN YOUR EYES ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNINGS AND EVENINGS WHEN THE SUN RISES AND SETS!! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. I HIGHLY DISAGREE."~300,000 mi, complaint #1487817
  6. #6

    airbag system

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON A CITY STREET ON 03/23/17 AND I HIT THE SIDE OF HIS CAR WITH THE FRONT OF MY SUV. I WAS GOING ABOUT 35-40 MPH THE FORCE FROM HIS CAR THEN KNOCKED ME HEAD ON INTO A LIGHT POLE. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AT THE INITI…"~13,000 mi, complaint #1515273
    • "VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STRAIGHT GOING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT WHEN A VEHICLE TRAVELING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ATTEMPTED TO MAKE LEFT-HAND TURN AND STRUCK THE FRONT OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2015. BOTH CARS WERE IN MOTION WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. WHEN…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1267673
  7. #7

    engine stall or no start

    2 stranded, 6 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 56,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. A POLICE OFFICER HELPED THE CONTACT COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER IT WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD A…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1429465
    • "FOR TWO YEARS NOW, MY VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY HAVE AN ENGINE STALL WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND WHILE GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD OR TURNING. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NAVIGATION SCREENS SHUTS OFF AND TURNS BACK ON. I HAVE TA…"~32,673 mi, complaint #1537343
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1696768
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WORKED NORMALLY. THE…"~91,000 mi, complaint #1399761
    • "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…"~193,000 mi, complaint #2027787
  8. #8

    glass and windshield

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "BOUGHT THIS 2015 HIGHLANDER BRAND-NEW IN JANUARY 2015 FROM THE DEALER. IT HAD 476 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES, A STONE CHIPPED THE WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN DAYS THE WINDSHIELD WAS A SPIDER'S NEST OF SPREADING CRACKS ALL ACROSS UP AND DOWN T…"~4,000 mi, complaint #1383838
    • "SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. VEHICLE WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OBJECTS. THE GLASS FAILED AND SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING AT THE INTERSTATE SPEED LIMIT."~11,000 mi, complaint #1370217
    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN A FEEDER ROAD OF THE INTERSTATE ~50MPH. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. I PULLED OVER AND THE REMAINING GLASS WAS CLEARLY PUSHED OUTWARD, NOT INWARD."~50,400 mi, complaint #1395211
    • "REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INWARD WHILE DRIVING. VERY LOUD BANG SOUND. NOTHING HIT IT. TEMP WAS 66 DEGREES, CLEAR SKIES. I HAD THE FRONT DRIVER'S WINDOW PARTIALLY OPENED WHEN THIS HAPPENED."~75,000 mi, complaint #1597452
  9. #9

    lighting exterior

    5 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED--3 OR 4 OUNCES OF WATER HAS ACCUMULATED IN BOTH OF MY TAIL LIGHTS (THAT CONTROL BRAKE LIGHTS AND BACKUP LIGHTS) THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE HATCH OF MY TAIL GATE. THIS CAUSES A GREAT DEAL OF CONDENSATION TO CLOUD REAR BRAKE AND BA…"~26,000 mi, complaint #1478055
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SIDE MARKERS AND HEADLIGHTS RETAINED WATER. IN ADDITION, WHEN PARKING AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOUD UNKNOWN NOISE OCCURRED FROM THE REAR OF T…"~45,665 mi, complaint #1533546
    • "IN 2017 I HAD MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR INNER LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO CONDENSATION AND NOW 2019 I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE INNER LIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO CONDENSATION TO THE COST OF $235. TOYOTA BODYWORK SHOULD HOLD UP BETTER THAN THAT. THIS VEH…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1559464
  10. #10

    sunroof

    6 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "WHILE TRAVELLING ON INTERSTATE 25 NEAR FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER'S CLOSED PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHATTERED. WE WERE TRAVELLING AT A SPEED OF 75 MPH ON A CLOUDY DAY WITH NO OBSTACLES OR FLYING DEBRIS NOTICED. THIS IS A NEW 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER…"~5,100 mi, complaint #1210514
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A LIGHTLY TRAVELED HIGHWAY, WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS NEAR BY AND NO OVERPASSES. THE TEMP WAS 85. THE SOUND WAS SO LOUD I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. FORTUNATELY THE VISOR WAS SHUT."~14,600 mi, complaint #1305175
    • "SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE IN MOTION. NOTHING HIT THE GLASS."~18,307 mi, complaint #1309263
    • "SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. MY FAMILY AND I WERE GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE, NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND US AND WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING ALL AFTERNOON WITH NOT TEMPERATURE VARIANCE. RIGHT WHEN WE HIT 80 MPH WE HEARD A VERY LOAD BANG LIKE A GUN HAD GONE OFF IN THE CAR.…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1476184
    • "SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH IN 4 LANES OF HOLIDAY TRAFFIC. WE HAD BEEN IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD BANG (IT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN WENT OFF IN THE CAR) AND GLASS WAS FLYING EVERYWHERE. I…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1481518
  11. #11

    paint and clearcoat

    3 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Blizzard pearl paint is peeling off the roof leading to rust and damaged structural integrity. Toyota has a recall for all blizzard pearl paint vehicles EXCEPT the highlander. They inspected it and said its wasn't in the recall even though the paint has a kno…"complaint #1771844
    • "The paint on my 2015 Highlander (Blizzard Pearl) is peeling off in chunks. I see a repair notice for other models of Toyota with this problem but not the highlander. I know it isn’t a safety issue but the information pointed me here to report it."complaint #1792050
    • "The blizzard pearl paint on my vehicle is peeling off of the roof and possibly the side of the vehicle. "complaint #2115865
    • "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 ma…"complaint #2158516
    • "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)"complaint #2227687
  12. #12

    unintended acceleration

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND HIT THE BUILDING WALL. SINCE I WAS PUZZLED BY WHAT HAPPENED, I READ SEVERAL ARTICLES ABOUT TOYOTA AUTOMOBILES DOING JUST THIS SAME THING. MOST OF THE ARTICLES…"~6,500 mi, complaint #1560793
    • "I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED BY SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA). I WAS PULLING INTO A DIAGONAL PARKING SPACE ON A CITY STREET, PROCEEDING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN SURGE IN ACCELERATION ACCOMPANIED BY A GRIN…"~37,000 mi, complaint #1460570
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING A PARKING SPOT, WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND RAN OVER A PARKING SIGN. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS DEPRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1721065
    • "The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without any warning at high speed. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop, causing the vehicle to drive in…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1859690
  13. #13

    brake hydraulics

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "HAD A PROBLEM WITH A 13 MO. OLD HIGHLANDER(STILL UNDER WARRANTY). WAS BACKING INTO MY GARAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY BROKE(RUBBER PIECE FELL OFF). IT CAUSED MY FOOT TO SLIP OFF THE BRAKE AND CONSEQUENTLY BACKED INTO A REFRIGERATOR WE HAD IN THE GARAGE.…"~8,000 mi, complaint #1330577
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE UNKNOWN INJU…"~10,500 mi, complaint #1289398
    • "BRAKES LIGHTS TO DO NOT ALWAYS LIGHT UP. TOOK TO AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. MY WIFE DRIVES CAR HOME AND I CAN SEE THAT LEFT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WORK BUT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) DOES NOT LIGHT UP. TURN SIGNALS ARE OK. BRAKES LIGHT…"~168,000 mi, complaint #1355130
  14. #14

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe, 2 broken, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN , FRAME IS COMING THROUGH THE UPPER RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT IN THE FRONT OF THE SEAT STICKS INTO MY BACK"~15,000 mi, complaint #1584219
    • "CAR GOING IN FOR THE SECOND TIME TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL SEAT ADJUSTMENT PANEL AND THE OTHER COMPONENTS NEEDED TO KEEP IT HELD IN PLACE. THE PLASTIC CLIPS ON THE PARTS JUST DO NOT APPEAR TO BE SUFFICIENT TO KEEP THE PANEL IN PLACE. CAR HAS JUST UNDER 33K MI…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1333027
    • "DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT BEGAN HEATING TO A HIGH LEVEL WHILE CONTROL WAS IN 'OFF' POSITION. DRIVER'S LUMBAR SUPPORT PRESSURE BEGAN INCREASING ON ITS OWN WITHOUT USE OF THE PRESSURE CONTROL BUTTON."~35,000 mi, complaint #1545930
  15. #15

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "LIGHT ON CRUISE CONTROL LEVER ON STEERING COLUMN FLICKERS OFF AND ON IF VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STEERING COLUMN IS IN USE. ALTERNATOR IN CAR ALREADY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 73,000. DEALERSHIP WAS ADVISED OF ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH TH…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1501142
  16. #16

    control module

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TWO OR THREE TIMES NOW, WHILE PAUSED IN TRAFFIC, I LOOK AT THE RADIO INSTRUMENT PANEL AND IT HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND REBOOTS, IT THEN CAUSES ALL PREVIOUSLY PROGRAMMED INFORMATION IN THE SYSTEM TO BE CHANGED. IN ADDITION AT THE SAME TIME, THE STEERING FEEL…"~65,500 mi, complaint #1324281
    • "WHEN DRIVING MY HIGHLANDER THE FOLLOWING ERROR MESSAGES APPEARED, ERROR KEEPING THE START BUTTON PRESSED WILL CAUSE AN EMERGENCY STOP. I DISMISSED THIS. THEN IT POPPED UP A MESSAGE THAT CAR CANNOT DRIVE WHILE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ARE PRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY.…"~66,670 mi, complaint #1517254
    • "THE SCREEN FREEZES AND RESTART FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SITUATION IS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY."~130,000 mi, complaint #1729896
  17. #17

    door latch and hinge

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR FAILED TO PROPERLY OPEN AND CLOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE OR THE DOOR WOULD REMAIN OPEN. THE VEHILCE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FURIEL TOYOTA PONCE, INDUSTRIAL SAN RAFAE…"~17,400 mi, complaint #1435856
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR TO REMOVE HIS DAUGHTER FROM THE CAR SEAT, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO GO AROUND AND OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR IN ORDER TO…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1458482
    • "THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CHECK STOP HAS FAILED TWICE THROUGH NORMAL USE (OF OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR). I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WHERE THIS PART HAS FAILED EVEN ONCE. FIRST TIME WAS IN FEB OF 2017."~70,000 mi, complaint #1588165
  18. #18

    mirror

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE VEHICLE'S SIDE MIRRORS ARE PLACED SO THAT THEY BLOCK VISIBILITY FOR A SHORT PERSON. I AM JUST UNDER 5'4" AND WHEN AT A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION, THE MIRRORS DIRECTLY BLOCK THE VIEW OF WHERE A CAR WOULD BE STOPPED TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT. I ACTUALLY WAS I…"~4,000 mi, complaint #1280460
    • "IMPROPER APPLICATION OF REAR VIEW MIRROR MOUNTING PLATE TO WINDSHIELD INCOMPLETE (PARTIAL COVERAGE) OF EPOXY ADHESIVE APPLICATION TO THE WINDSHIELD MOUNTING PLATE. THE BLACK PLASTIC COVER AND MIRROR HOLDER EXPANDS IN HIGH INTENSITY SUN. THE EXPANSION INCRE…"~10,823 mi, complaint #1286457
  19. #19

    suspension struts shocks

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "POPPING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT SIDE WHEN BREAKING TO A STOP AT ALL SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED AT AROUND 2500 MILES AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT AROUND 2900 MILES. DEALER INSPECTED IT AND COULDN'T FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEN AS…"~2,500 mi, complaint #1221832
    • "CLUNKING NOISE FROM REAR END OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING, DEALER WAS AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE REAR AWAY BARS AND SHOCKS, NO FIX, NOW TOYOTA CORP., SAYS THIS IS NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE ? I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE WITH NOISE, AND AS BRAKES FEEL SOFT ALS…"~3,500 mi, complaint #1205908
  20. #20

    transmission automatic

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN TRYING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AT AN ONRAMP, THE VEHICLE WILL FREQUENTLY REFUSE TO DOWNSHIFT TO MATCH TRAFFIC SPEED WHEN DOING 35-50MPH. THIS HAS RESULTED IN SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. THIS FORCES A…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1648866
  21. #21

    abs module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "DRIVING FORWARD INTO PARKING SPACE. JUST ABOUT STOPPED. PRESSED BREAK. CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT HIGHT SPEED SUDDENLY, CAUSING CAR TO JUMP CURB AT TOP OF PARKING SPOT AND CAREEN DOWN HILL (ONTO SIDE WALK). CAR OUT OF CONTROL FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS. WAS ABLE TO…"~850 mi, complaint #1262278
    • "WE WERE DRIVING DURING HEAVY RAINS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. TRAFFIC WAS SLOWED AHEAD. THE SYSTEM SIGNALS AN ALARM THAT TRAFFIC AHEAD IS SLOWING, A VERY NICE FEATURE. HOWEVER, WHILE THE ALARM WAS GOING OFF, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH ZERO RESPONSE, LIKELY DUE…"~9,500 mi, complaint #1331934
  22. #22

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SITUATION WITH MY 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (VIN# 5TDJKRFHXFS1[XXX]) THAT HAS BECOME QUITE CONCERNING. WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL FROM A DEAD STOP POSITION, I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN INITIAL ACCELERATION AND THEN A HESITATION FOLLOWED IM…"~30,500 mi, complaint #1465896
  23. #23

    adas collision warning

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE PRE COLLISION SYSTEM APPLIED BRAKES ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY OF A COLLISION. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH APPROACHING A CONCRETE PAVED LOW BRIDGE/OVERPASS; THE EVENTS OCCURRED AT THE SAME SPOT AT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THE…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1243975
  24. #24

    alignment and pull

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THIS VEHICLE HAS SEVERE TORQUE STEER WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE VEHICLE PULLS HARD LEFT AND YOU HAVE TO FIGHT THE WHEEL TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS , ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALERSHIP WER…"complaint #1333749
    • "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 accele…"complaint #1998058
  25. #25

    brake pads and rotors

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHEN THE CAR HAD 20K MILES THE BRAKES WOULD SHAKE WHEN GOING DOWN HILL, TOOK IT IN BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE ROTARS TURNED BRAKES REPLACED AND WHEN BRAKING THE BRAKES SHAKE REALLY BAD ITS SCARY. I HAVE ALSO HAD TOO MANY ELECTRICAL PROB…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1450831
    • "ON 10/30/16 I TOOK MY 2015 HIGHLANDER TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR WARPED ROTORS. THEY AGREED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND SINCE IT WAS AT 35,000 MILES THEY REPLACED ALL 4 ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY PLUS 2 NEW BRAKE PADS WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR. I NOTICED THE SAME ISS…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1414431
  26. #26

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM"~40,000 mi, complaint #1288268
    • "MY SON DROPPED ME OFF AT THE AIRPORT. I FORGOT TO LEAVE HIM THE KEYLESS DEVICE THAT KEEPS THE VEHICLE RUNNING. HE CALLED AND LET ME KNOW HE MADE IT HOME (30 MILES APPROX.TO HIS HOME) AND I DIDN'T LEAVE HIM THE KEYLESS DEVICE. SHOULD THIS BE A SAFETY RECALL? AN…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1624789
  27. #27

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY [REDACTED ADDRESS], THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM MAINTAINING CONTROL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED…"~15,425 mi, complaint #1370141
  28. #28

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, THE POWER CUT OUT AND A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH STATING THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR WERE BEING DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY -- BUT THEY WERE NOT. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN A ROW. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWARD TO THE TOYO…"~9,000 mi, complaint #1233873
  29. #29

    tire failure

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "DRIVING DOWN ROAD. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE MICHELIN PREMIER LTX TIRE BLEW OUT IN TWO PLACES. THEY WERE BOTH RECTANGULAR BLOWOUTS COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE TIRE. *TR"~26,313 mi, complaint #1328136
    • "ON SEPT. 14, 2014, WE PURCHASED A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER XLE, WHICH CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L 422 ECOPIA TIRES. ON AUG. 20, 2015, WHEN THERE WERE 10,235 MILES ON THE CAR, WE REPLACED 1 OF THE TIRES WITH A NEW BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L 422 ECOPIA TIRE.…"~31,228 mi, complaint #1402946
  30. #30

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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+. The debris entered thru the front grill, which has nothing in place to prevent debris from entering the engine compartment."complaint #2240322
  31. #31

    adas blind spot

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "BSM works when it want to and sometimes not at all"complaint #2028398
  32. #32

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEADACHES AND SORE THROATS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT…"complaint #1280893
  33. #33

    cruise control conventional

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND SET AT 55 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORME…"~2,999 mi, complaint #1225939
  34. #34

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Upon being reviewed the rear U Joint was loose & needed replaced @ 167,361 miles. "complaint #1998053
  35. #35

    engine internal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I experienced a sudden engine failure while driving my 2015 Toyota Highlander on Interstate 294 outside Chicago. I was driving about 75 mph in the far left lane. A warning message "Check AWD" came on the screen, followed by the Engine icon lighting up, then a…"complaint #1913258
  36. #36

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "VEHICLE IS BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL."complaint #1695208
  37. #37

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND SEVERAL HOURS LATER I HAPPENED TO NEED SOMETHING OUT THERE. WHEN I ENTERED I HEARD AN ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CRAWLING UNDER THE CAR I FOUND THAT THE SOUND WAS COMMING…"complaint #1139013
  38. #38

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FUEL DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN BY PRESSING THE INTERIOR BUTTON OR THE EMERGENCY LATCH. HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHO ALSO COULD NOT OPEN IT AND THEY REMOVED THE PART UNTIL IT COULD BE FIXED. I DROVE WITH THE GAS TANK DOOR OPEN UNTIL THE PART WAS REPLACED. WE DISC…"~26,000 mi, complaint #1438157
  39. #39

    heater core and blower

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MOLD SMELL IN CAR. MUSTY SMELL COMING FROM A/C, WATER ON FLOOR OF DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT, MOLD UNDER CARPET/PADDING."complaint #1687941
  40. #40

    instrument cluster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE DASH READOUT FOR MPH BEGAN SHOWING VERY ERRATIC NMBERS. GOING FROM 24.4 MPG TO 29.7 MPG AND DOWN TO 13.1 MPG ALL IN A SPAN OF ABOUT 4 MILES. THIS MPG OF 24.4 WAS FOR THE PRIOR 3000 MILES. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS HAPPENING. THEY ALSO SAID THAT…"~4,700 mi, complaint #1183471
  41. #41

    interior trim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES WITH CONCERNS TO SAFETY ISSUE WITH VEHICLE; INTERIOR HEADLINER BURNS AND MELTS WITHOUT WARNING. *AS *JS"complaint #1510774
  42. #42

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AN INTERMITTENT SQUEAKING NOISE OCCURS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. I HAVE NOTICED THIS WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AS WELL AS ON LOCAL ROADS"~35,000 mi, complaint #1469939
  43. #43

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE SEAT BELT COILED AROUND MY 8 YEAR OLD SON'S NECK AND THE SEAT BELT LOCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. WE TRIED GENTLY ROCKING THE SEAT BELTS BUT IT THERE WAS NO GIVE IN IT. MOVING IT HARDER WOULD HAVE CHOKED MY SON. WE HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT TO RELEASE MY SON. TH…"~33,500 mi, complaint #1416524
  44. #44

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On the Freeway off ramp, during the slow down- and down shifting-process the vehicle appeared to block the wheels and to skid for a short time. Also, the vibration feature that indicates loss of traction got activated for that time and the “slip indicator” war…"complaint #1871124
  45. #45

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED DUE TO THE REAR BOLTS ON THE FRAME BEING TOO TIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BOLTS WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALL…"~11,562 mi, complaint #1265169
  46. #46

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AT 2000 MILES WE NOTICED OUR WHEELS PITTING. WE THOUGHT THIS WAS UNUSUAL AS OUR WHEELS WERE PLASTIC COATED CALLED 'CROMETECH'. WE WERE AT THE DEALERS AND MENTIONED THAT OUR CAR HAD ONLY 2000 MILES AND SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. OUR CAR NOW HAS 7070MIL…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1463098
  47. #47

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "APRIL 24, 2015 [XXX] TO AN APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: IN NOVEMBER 2014, I PURCHASED A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED MODEL ID# [XXX]:. DURING FREEZING WEATHER THIS WINTER I DISCOVERED A DANGEROUS DESIGN F…"complaint #1178132

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TOYOTA HIGHLANDER directly.