Third generation (XU50)
2015 Toyota Highlander
The most reported problem on the 2015 Toyota Highlander is infotainment, with 21 complaints, usually around 52,000 miles.
- 191owner complaints
- 2recalls
- 17involved a crash
- 35,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2015 Toyota Highlander has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2015 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2015 Toyota Highlander has 191 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 314 for 2015 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Highlander model years since 2014, it has the 7th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2015 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, infotainment, covers 21 of the 191 complaints (11%), and brake wear is next with 15 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). A quarter of the 17 owners who gave a mileage for infotainment saw it by about 22,000 miles, and half by about 52,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 25 of the 191 complaints (13%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 17 reports mention a crash, 6 mention a fire and 16 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 2 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2015 at 27 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 5. So far in 2026, 12 more have come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: infotainment, screen or backup camera fails, 21 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
191 complaints is 1.5 times fewer than the median 2015 model on this site and 1.6 times fewer than the median 2015 SUV. Among the 11 Highlander model years here it ranks 7th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota filed 318 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2015 Toyota Highlander. 34 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 16 bulletins · 21 complaints
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle.
Some 2014 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 010169), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010171), or Entune? Premium Audio (version 010185) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Bluetooth® sometimes disconnects with ...
14 more on this problem
TT: Some customers may experience poor outgoing Bluetooth sound quality, this can occur for various reasons. Current multimedia systems are designed with the ability to adjust Bluetooth sound quality to compensate for echo or excessive background noise.
TT: For customer concerns of no or poor outgoing sound from the Bluetooth systems there are diagnostics in the repair manual which can be performed to diagnose the condition.
TT: Some vehicles may exhibit an error message when trying to perform a radio software update: "Unable to update the software. Please try again later." If the following screen is seen; follow the directions below.
TT: Some customers may experience greyed out buttons or inactive screens (lockouts) while driving. This is to promote safe driving practices and reduce the amount of distractions while driving.
TT: Some customers may experience Bluetooth disconnections or loss of SMS text message functionality on the navigation/audio system with Android phones running OS 4.4 or later.
TT: Some customers may experience Bluetooth connection issues after updating the Android Operating System to 5.x.x (Lollipop) or later.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty pairing the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth failure to connect when first turning on the vehicle.
TT: Customers may experience connectivity issues when the following conditions are met: The customer's iPhone is operating on iOS9 firmware. The customer's iPhone is connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth.
TechTip: Condition: Customers may experience connectivity issues when the following conditions are met: The customer?s iPhone is operating on iOS9 firmware The customer?s iPhone is connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth.
Some 2014 model year applicable vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 010169) / Entune? Audio Plus (version 010171) Entune? Premium Audio (version 01085) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: Bluetooth® sometimes disconnects with ...
Plus 4 older ones not listed here.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 15 complaints
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
Some 2014 ? 2019 model year Highlander vehicles may exhibit a vibration from the front brakes during light application of the brake pedal at highway speeds. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
1 more on this problem
Some 2015 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit brake vibration due to improper lug nut torque. Brake vibration can occur at any time if improper torque is applied to lug nuts. Even one lug nut over or under torqued can cause vibration.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition.
Seat belt or seat problems 2 bulletins · 7 complaints
Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Paint peels or body rusts 8 bulletins · 7 complaints
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover.
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere.
6 more on this problem
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds.
DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors.
Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
REVISION NOTICE March 07, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2017 model year Toyota vehicles. On some vehicles, when Rapgard? is removed the paint may have a stained appearance.
Some 2014 ? 2016 model year Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the door handle material insert of the driver or passenger side door panels is creased, wrinkly, or has started peeling.
On some vehicles, when Rapgard? is removed, the paint may have a stained appearance. These stains appear to be under the clear coat (repainting this area is not necessary). The stain patterns are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Check engine light or misfire 4 bulletins · 5 complaints
Some 2014 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following conditions.
T-TT: Vehicles may experience various drivability concerns. Upon diagnosis, technicians commonly find no or low fuel pressure as well as a variety of DTCs (Commonly P1603, P1604, P1605, P0171, P0300, P0302, P0304, U0100).
2 more on this problem
TT: A vehicle may arrive to the dealer with a MIL ?ON? condition and P0A80 or P1AC000 stored in the memory. Some cases have been identified with internal modification done to the HV Battery. Modified or altered parts are not covered under warranty.
Tech Tip: Low battery voltage can contribute to a MIL "ON" condition for P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit) and/or P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit) due to inconsistent rotational speed of the engine's crankshaft.
Complaints filed by year
27 complaints came in 2015. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2015 Toyota Highlander
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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).
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
All 2 recalls on the 2015 Toyota Highlander, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
Infotainment, with 21 of the 191 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 52,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2015 Toyota Highlander problems start?
Of the 118 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 11,000 miles and half by about 35,000.
How many 2015 Toyota Highlander complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
25 of them (13%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for infotainment on the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 18E-107. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.