Is the 2015 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
193 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Highlander years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2015 Toyota Highlander are in line with other Highlander years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 Highlander owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 46,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 52 (27%) | 21k–79k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 32 (17%) | 15k–59k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 25 (13%) | 12k–60k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipers | 13 (7%) | 11k–75k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 15 (8%) | 9k–36k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 46,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 193 complaints: 17 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 14 say the car was towed.
15 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2015 Toyota Highlander: 2
The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM). The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 152
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Toyota Highlander. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a MIL "ON" condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2610 (ECM/PCM Engine Off Timer Performance) present
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
Neighbouring years
2014 Highlander: 136 complaints, keep it · 2016 Highlander: 111 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Highlander year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Highlander years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2015 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
193 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Highlander years. At 46,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (52), body structure (32), steering (25), visibility and wipers (13), brakes (15).
How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Highlander have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 18E107000), Steering (NHTSA 15V-144). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.