The 2015 Toyota Highlander is a competitive player in the midsize SUV space. Although it’s famously reliable, problems exist, albeit in small numbers. Out of the few complaints, the most prominent are for faulty door locks and infotainment bugs.
Key Points
- The 2015 Toyota Highlander hasn’t many recalls or complaints. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration only has two recalls on record, with no more than 150 registered consumer complaints.
- Most problems are electrical failures like faulty door actuators, a malfunctioning rear liftgate, and a glitchy infotainment system.
- Loss of power steering is a reported safety risk affecting over 100,000 Highlanders. However, Toyota has a recall addressing the concern.
- Some owners report transmission delay when shifting, although it’s not as common as the electrical faults.
- Other less common problems include excessive wind noise, squeaky brakes, uncomfortable seats, water ingress, and airbag failures.
- But most of the issues are infrequent and far too uncommon; these shouldn’t deter you from buying one of the most reliable midsize SUVs in today’s market.
2015 Highlander Gets a Bunch of Electrical Issues, Airbag Problems, and Infotainment Glitches
There aren’t many complaints about the Highlander, but the NHTSA has customers reporting quite a few electrical issues. Chief among them are faulty door locks that malfunction every so often, resulting in getting locked in or out of the car. Sadly, there are no recalls addressing the problem, and the fix can be upwards of $300.
On a related note, the 2015 Highlander’s automatic rear hatch may occasionally fail to detect an object and continue to close, posing a safety risk. Generally, electric tailgates are designed to stop when there is an obstruction. But the Highlander’s unit is less sensitive and slow to react, or in some cases, does not react at all.
Also, the 2015 model’s infotainment system is prone to software glitches. It may randomly remain inoperable for a few minutes, and drivers have also noticed the screen rebooting every now and again. Plus, reports of Bluetooth disconnecting and radio presets randomly resetting are not uncommon either.
Faulty wiring and water ingress is another problem. Per the NHTSA, aftermarket replacement windshields have an attached wire harness that may allow rain and other water to seep inside, potentially damaging the SUV’s engine control module.
Perhaps more concerning are reports from a small number of owners who have reported airbag failure leading to injuries when the Highlander’s airbags did not deploy in a crash. The issue, however, is not widespread. If an airbag warning light pops up, make sure to get it checked at a dealership.
Owners Report Transmission Delay and Uncomfortable Seats in the 2015 Toyota Highlander
While the Highlander’s transmission is known to hold up well, there are times when it hesitates to find a gear. This causes acceleration problems, especially during overtakes. Dealerships recommend replacing the transmission, which is fine when under warranty, but not so much otherwise, since it costs over $3,500 before labor. Thankfully, only a handful of owners have experienced the issue.
The brakes tend to develop an annoying squeal. Every owner might not notice this, but if you’re using semi-metallic pads, the chances of them squealing are high. The problem, however, isn’t common on Highlanders with stock ceramic pads.
Car Complaints has multiple reports of the 2015 Highlander’s seats being uncomfortable. Owners claim they’re ergonomically bad and an unpleasant experience, especially during long-distance journeys. Complaints about the leather wearing out prematurely (as early as 30,000 miles) are also available.
Faulty Power Steering System May Affect Over 100,000 Toyota Highlanders, Leading to a Recall
A common complaint with the 2015 Highlander is the loss of power steering. Toyota has recalled certain model year 2015 Highlanders because the electric power steering’s control unit may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, the damage may result in failure of the power steering. Toyota estimates over 100,000 units may have been affected.
Another problem with the 2015 Highlander is excessive wind noise. This is more of a design flaw than a safety concern. Per Car Complaints, the Highlander’s outside rearview mirrors create quite a bit of turbulence.
According to owners, the cause has been verified by multiple mechanics and seems to be louder when driving over 60 mph. While most drivers are okay with it, some find it annoying and hard to deal with, especially if the noise drowns out the audio system.
2015 Toyota Highlander is Still the Best Pick in the Segment, Despite Some Complaints
The Toyota Highlander has been in the market for a while and is among the top-rated midsize SUVs currently available. From what owners are saying, the 2015 Highlander looks to be an excellent family car, yet there are some issues.
The glitchy infotainment and faulty door locks are worth noting. Other reported issues are minor and don’t affect the vast majority of Highlanders on the road.
Also, if you compare the SUV to its closest rivals, the Highlander is way ahead when it comes to reliability and longevity. So, these minor issues shouldn’t deter you from buying one of the best midsize SUVs in the market that is known for decent performance, lots of interior space, and few real problems.
Photos: Toyota
