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2015 Toyota Highlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota Highlander do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

124 reports with mileage · 67 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2025
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

When right front pax sits in seat and fastens seatbelt, the airbag indicator correctly says "ON." But after a few minutes, the airbag turns "OFF" and the driver's dash gets an "unfastened seatbelt" warning and a "faulty airbag" warning. All of these occur while the front right pax has remain seated and buckled. If the pax unb…

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When right front pax sits in seat and fastens seatbelt, the airbag indicator correctly says "ON." But after a few minutes, the airbag turns "OFF" and the driver's dash gets an "unfastened seatbelt" warning and a "faulty airbag" warning. All of these occur while the front right pax has remain seated and buckled. If the pax unbuckles and exits the seat, these incorrect warnings all remain the same. The right front pax seat belt buckle has been replaced with no effect. The seat has been recalibrated (seat sensors) with no effect. The wires under the seat have been disconnected, cleaned, and re-connected with no effect. This is a safety issue in that the airbag on that front right side de-activates when a passenger is in that seat. There is a Toyota Recall Campaign for this identical problem, but it does not include my model year (2015). Requesting NHTSA get Toyota to extend their recall to include 2015 models, please.

NHTSA ODI #11704027

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

Water leak at sun roof caused by rubber seal failure in sun roof frame due to faulty material and or installation. Water damage to side air bag so tat it does not deploy properly & is a safety hazard. Mold carpet which is a health hazard & impedes drivers ability to drive.

NHTSA ODI #11527077

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2022
Air BagsCrashInjury

*AIRBAG FAILURE* -Head on impact with tree. -Significant front end damage. -Vehicle towed from scene, deemed total loss by insurance company. -Police report on file (can provide if needed) -All First Responders on scene we’re shocked/commented/observed that airbags were not deployed: police, fire, ems. As well as all bystander…

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*AIRBAG FAILURE* -Head on impact with tree. -Significant front end damage. -Vehicle towed from scene, deemed total loss by insurance company. -Police report on file (can provide if needed) -All First Responders on scene we’re shocked/commented/observed that airbags were not deployed: police, fire, ems. As well as all bystanders. -no vehicle warning lamps on prior: car was just inspected and oil change in recent months. -no recalls on vehicle. -not sure if vehicle still avail for inspection: it’s at junkyard under insurance co and title has been passed to them. -able to provide multiple pictures of vehicle, police and bystanders able to provide pics also. -3 vehicle occupants: driver seat, passenger seat, rear passenger side car seat. -2 adults, one 4.5y/o child. -all occupants in seatbelts. -all occupants rcvd medical care, 2 ongoing care. How was our safety put at risk? Please see pics, and read above. Our safety was put in the line of fire due to this faulty system. Accident details: My car with right of way. My car t-boned by car who ran a blinking red light and stop sign. My car hit on rear drivers side. My car spun into oncoming traffic, across oncoming lane, over curb, through a fence and into a tree. My car stopped by tree in front end. Significant front end damage. **NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED** Engine drop and frame damage. Car not drivable. All occupants EMS transport to hospital. Other car: Unknown speed. Driver states she ‘had a green light’ (no green light at that intersection). No evidence of slowing prior to impact. Car also towed/not drivable. **this was a manufacturer error** Please contact me for more info.

NHTSA ODI #11480896

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2022
Air BagsInjury

Airbags did not deploy in front end crash. The vehicle is available at tow center for inspection. Driver sustained concussion from frontal head impact to roof/windshield area of vehicle. No dealership has been contacted. The police have inspected the vehicle. The insurance has been notified of damage and location of tow center…

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Airbags did not deploy in front end crash. The vehicle is available at tow center for inspection. Driver sustained concussion from frontal head impact to roof/windshield area of vehicle. No dealership has been contacted. The police have inspected the vehicle. The insurance has been notified of damage and location of tow center. There were no indication lights of any kind for check concerns. The vehicle has never previously been involved in an impact accident.

NHTSA ODI #11466581

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury

We were involved in a car accident on 04/29/2021 and the front airbags that are suppose to come out the wheel and dashboard didn't deploy just the rear airbags. Toyota told me the impact wasn't hard enough for them to deploy but as you will see from the pictures attached the whole front end of the car is gone. Please see attache…

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We were involved in a car accident on 04/29/2021 and the front airbags that are suppose to come out the wheel and dashboard didn't deploy just the rear airbags. Toyota told me the impact wasn't hard enough for them to deploy but as you will see from the pictures attached the whole front end of the car is gone. Please see attached police report and photos for more details.

NHTSA ODI #11421270

13,000 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

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 INITIAL HIT. MY SUV WAS TOTALED AND THE FRONT FRAME WAS BENT FROM THE IMPAC…

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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 INITIAL HIT. MY SUV WAS TOTALED AND THE FRONT FRAME WAS BENT FROM THE IMPACT INTO THE POLE. THE AIR BAG NEVER CAME OUT AT ALL. THE RESCUE MEN ALL REMARKED ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT WAS SO FORCEFUL. I HAD A CONCUSSION & HAD TO RETIRE FROM MY JOB & CONTINUE TO HAVE MEMORY ISSUES. I CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN I FELT A LITTLE BETTER SO THEY COULD LOOK INTO IT. BY THE TIME THEY GOT WITH THE PLACE WHERE THE CAR HAD BEEN TOWED, THE SUV HAD BEEN SOLD FOR SCRAP ( I GUESS) SO THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT GET THE DATA BOX.

NHTSA ODI #11151366

15,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Air BagsStructureCrash

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 THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2015 WAS BROUGHT TO THE BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRE…

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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 THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2015 WAS BROUGHT TO THE BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED THE APPRAISER INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND THEY NEEDED TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR DEFECTS.

NHTSA ODI #10846420

236 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HIT MY CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AT 10:00 AM ON HIGHWAY 95, THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65. A MAN HYDROPLANED IN FRONT OF ME, I HAD TO BE GOING AT LEAST 40......UPDATED 10/19/15 *BF.. ...UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF *JS *JS

NHTSA ODI #10779757

Official recalls

1

15V144000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Mar 13, 2015

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.