2015 Toyota Highlander
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 55 of 194 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 137 in 2014 to 194 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–3,300 | 2,250–3,100 | 2,250–3,100 | 2,250–3,100 | 2,150–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–28 | 20–28 | 20–28 | 20–28 | 22–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–28 / 22–28 | 18–28 / 24–28 | 18–28 / 24–28 | 18–28 / 24–28 | 19–30 / 24–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–465 | 313–437 | 313–437 | 313–437 | 305–407 | |
| Complaints filed | 211 | 137 | 194 | 115 | 268 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 26 | 5 | 17 | 14 | 18 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 6 | 16 | 11 | 26 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Highlander have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
Electrical: 55 of 194 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA rates it 20–28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Toyota Highlander?
EPA estimates $2,250–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.7L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 398 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 425 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 437 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 27 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 319 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 28 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 313 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 55 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 17 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 25 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 35 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 45 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · Campaign 18E107000 · Nov 30, 2018
Defect: Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
Consequence: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Campaign 15V144000 · Mar 13, 2015
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.