The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Toyota Highlander electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Toyota Highlander have filed 45 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 50,100 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
45
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Highlander | 19 |
| 2012 Highlander | 28 |
| 2013 Highlander | 22 |
| 2014 Highlander | 32 |
| 2015 Highlander (this page) | 45 |
| 2016 Highlander | 14 |
| 2017 Highlander | 42 |
| 2018 Highlander | 18 |
| 2019 Highlander | 50 |
4fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 45 electrical complaints filed for the 2015 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 45 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 20 model years of Toyota Highlander in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB This Service Bulletin includes guidelines meant to help determine whether to repair or replace a wire harness assembly based on damage type. This Service Bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Electronic Wiring Diagram (EWD) and/or Repair Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Highlander's electrical system shows three categories of real-world failure: life-threatening, safety-compromising, and annoying.
Critical failures include unpredictable engine stalls at highway speed with simultaneous loss of steering and acceleration—some escalate to complete engine fire requiring replacement at $8,800+. Seat heater modules short internally, filling the cabin with smoke and flames in several documented cases; one owner suffered burns. These happen without warning lights or fault codes beforehand.
Safety degradations include progressive door lock actuator failure across multiple doors. Owners report their key fobs and interior buttons stop responding, trapping kids in the vehicle or leaving it unsecured. Replacement costs run $300+ per actuator plus labor, and failures repeat. Some rear hatchbacks malfunction similarly—stuck closed, stuck open, or opening while driving—sometimes after dropping on occupants. One passenger airbag system deactivates itself while a properly belted occupant sits in the seat, yet Toyota's recall excludes 2015 model years despite identical failures in newer models.
Chronic annoyances include the infotainment system freezing and rebooting multiple times per day (requiring vehicle power-down to restore), HVAC servo buzzers sounding every second after an hour of driving, and intermittent brake light failures. These are rarely fatal but exhaust owners' patience and trust.
Door lock actuators appear to fail sequentially in most problem vehicles, suggesting a systemic design weakness rather than isolated defects. Multiple online forums document these issues as endemic to this generation. Toyota has not issued recalls for the door actuator or hatchback motor problems despite numerous complaints spanning years.
Same Toyota Highlander electrical reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Stall and Loss of Power
Vehicle stalls without warning at highway speeds, accompanied by check engine light, 'Check AWD' message, and loss of steering and accelerator responsiveness. Multiple diagnostic codes suggest ignition or fuel system failure; one complaint resulted in complete engine failure requiring replacement.
When: Occurring at 7,000–193,000 miles; one case at 86,100 miles during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving at highway speed; Check Engine light and 'Check AWD' warning appear; 'Engine Stopping' message on display; Loss of accelerator responsiveness; Loss of steering control reported; Vehicle unable to restart or difficulty restarting; All warning indicators illuminate simultaneously
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0306, P1603, P1604, P1605
Repairs/costs cited: One case required full engine replacement at cost of $8,820; another required diagnostics with no repair completed; one case could not be duplicated by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota notified in at least two cases; one received case number 16001120892; manufacturer evaluator found one vehicle working to standards
Door Lock Actuator Failure
Power door lock actuators on multiple doors fail intermittently or completely, leaving doors unable to lock or unlock via key fob, door handle buttons, or interior switches. Failure often progresses from one door to others. Creates both security and emergency exit hazards.
When: Starting 1–5 years after purchase; complaints from 2016 onward with mileage ranging from under 30,000 to 193,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door fails to lock or unlock with key fob; Door fails to lock or unlock with interior buttons; Door fails to lock or unlock with exterior handle touch system; Intermittent lock/unlock response, worsening over time; Multiple doors affected sequentially; Doors do not auto-lock when shifting to reverse or park; Key fob does not confirm lock status; beeps continuously on unlock attempt
Repairs/costs cited: Actuators replaced multiple times in some cases (one replaced 3 times in 12 months on same or different doors); cost per actuator reported as $300+ plus labor; repair expensive due to actuator design; one owner repaired using Amazon parts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed issue in multiple cases; Toyota stated not a recall in at least one case; multiple Toyota service bulletins acknowledge problem; no recall issued for 2015 models as of reports
Seat Heater Electrical Fire
Driver seat heater control module shorts and catches fire, creating burning smell, smoke, and visible flames inside cabin. Occurs with little or no warning. Multiple documented cases with one resulting in injury.
When: Occurring at 104,000 and other mileages; one case during parked state with engine off, others while vehicle in use
Symptoms owners cite: Burning electrical smell from driver seat area; Smell persists even with heater switch in off position; Smoke coming from heated seat control knob and vents; Control knob becomes hot and melts; Visible flames in cabin near control area or console; Plastic interior components melt from heat; No warning lights or messages prior to smoke/fire; Heated seat warmer than normal before failure
Repairs/costs cited: One owner disabled via fuse removal; repair costs not stated; vehicles towed for insurance adjuster inspection in fire cases; one case resulted in minor burns to owner's hand
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Corporate notified in at least two cases; dealership in one case refused to show disconnection method; no recalls mentioned; owner found online reports of other 2015 Highlander XLE models with similar fires
Infotainment System Freezing and Rebooting
Navigation, radio, and entertainment system (Entune) freeze, black out, or reboot repeatedly during operation. GPS, Bluetooth, and audio functions stop working until manual vehicle restart.
When: Occurring at various mileages throughout ownership; multiple occurrences per day or week reported
Symptoms owners cite: Radio and navigation system freeze while driving; GPS stops functioning; Bluetooth connectivity drops; Voice recognition fails to recognize commands (90% failure rate reported); System requires vehicle restart to recover; Sometimes multiple restarts needed to restore function; Screen resets/reboots while in motion; Multiple daily occurrences reported
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid for monitor replacement with no resolution; dealerships unable to diagnose or fix; no service bulletins or fixes mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota not acknowledging as defect according to owner reports; dealerships report inability to fix; no recalls issued
Power Liftgate/Hatch Malfunction
Rear power liftgate fails to open and close properly, becoming stuck in various positions. Liftgate struts leak lubrication and lose functionality. One case of liftgate dropping suddenly on owner's head.
When: Occurring after warranty expiration in most cases; one early failure at 30,800 miles; failures widespread across mileage range
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate closes slowly or incompletely; Liftgate opens only halfway or incompletely; Liftgate stops mid-cycle and beeps twice, then opens slightly; Liftgate suddenly drops without warning when open; Abnormal noise when opening/closing; Struts leak lubrication; Manual force required to close (extreme force in some cases); Multiple attempts (2–5) needed to fully close
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer 'reset' system with no effect; replacement of both struts estimated at $1,800+; one case not repaired (out of warranty); struts continue to leak after partial fixes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships state no warranty coverage; no recalls mentioned; manufacturer not notified in some cases
Air Blend Servo Buzzing
HVAC air blend servo actuator in dashboard produces frequent buzzing noise, increasing in frequency from once per minute to every second as driving time increases. Acknowledged by dealership as air blend servo issue but not corrected.
When: Noticed within 30 minutes of initial purchase at 0 miles; persistent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Buzzing sound from dashboard area; Frequency increases with driving duration; Noise attributable to HVAC air blend servo actuator
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership acknowledges it is the air blend servo; repair requires full dashboard disassembly (very expensive); owner disabled via fuse removal in one similar case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota regional field technical specialist stated noise is normal operation; dealership refuses repair; no recall issued; owner reports Toyota will not help and only acts on life-threatening defects
False Simultaneous Brake and Accelerator Warning
Vehicle displays error message stating both brake and accelerator are being depressed simultaneously when they are not. Power cuts out when message appears. Occurs multiple times in succession.
When: Occurring intermittently; dealer records show similar malfunctions prior two months with no driver notification
Symptoms owners cite: Power cuts out while driving; Dashboard displays false simultaneous brake-accelerator message; Multiple occurrences in one driving session; No actual brake or accelerator being pressed; Malfunction history not visible to driver beforehand
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attributed to 'driver error' and could not diagnose; no repair completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota claims nothing is wrong; refuses to repair or replace vehicle; provides no explanation for malfunction
Brake Light Intermittent Failure
Rear brake lights fail to illuminate consistently. Right-side brake light does not light up while driving even though bulb is functioning.
When: Occurring at undetermined mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights fail to illuminate consistently; Right side brake light specifically non-functional while left side works; Bulbs are not burned out; Turn signals work normally
Repairs/costs cited: Automotive mechanic could not duplicate problem; no repair attempted or completed
Passenger Airbag Deactivation with Occupant Seated
Right front passenger airbag turns off and system reports 'faulty airbag' warning while passenger is seated and properly belted. Issue remains after seat belt buckle replacement, seat sensor recalibration, and wire inspection.
When: Occurring at undetermined mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator changes from 'ON' to 'OFF' after a few minutes of passenger being seated; 'Unfastened seatbelt' warning appears despite passenger being buckled; 'Faulty airbag' warning appears; Warnings persist even after passenger unbuckles and exits
Repairs/costs cited: Seat belt buckle replaced; seat sensors recalibrated; wires under seat disconnected, cleaned, and reconnected—all without effect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota recall campaign exists for identical problem but does not include 2015 model year; owner requesting NHTSA extend recall to include 2015 models
Trunk Release Failure
Trunk release button and key fob fail to open trunk. Trunk remains locked in closed position.
When: Occurring at 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk release button does not open trunk; Key fob does not open trunk
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired; dealership stated vehicle not under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not contacted
Heated Seat Unintended Activation and Lumbar Self-Adjustment
Driver heated seat activates to high heat level and driver lumbar support increases pressure without user input, while controls are in off position.
When: Occurring at undetermined mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Heated seat turns on and heats to high level while in off position; Lumbar support pressure increases without button activation
Rear Door Stuck or Difficult to Open/Close
Rear passenger doors fail to open and close properly, requiring manual force to operate. In one case, rear door lock remains engaged, preventing hatch engagement.
When: Occurring at 17,400 miles and other undetermined mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Rear door stuck when attempting to close; Extreme force required to open or close door; Rear door remains open unless forced closed; In one case, hatch unable to engage due to locked locking mechanism
Repairs/costs cited: One case noted warranty expired; repair not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle included in NHTSA Campaign Number 15V144000 (Electrical System); failure reported to manufacturer
Engine Fire
Vehicle catches fire from engine bay while driving after electrical/stalling issues appear. Engine completely engulfs in flames within minutes.
When: Occurring after check engine light and steering/acceleration loss; one case at undetermined mileage during restart attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light and 'Check AWD' warning appear; Temperature warning light and loud alarm; Smoke comes from front left hood area; Visible flames from hood within seconds of smoke appearance; Complete vehicle engulfment in flames within minutes
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle completely destroyed by fire
Wire Damage from Rodent Infestation
Extensive wire damage under hood attributed to rodent infestation, causing strange noises and shifting problems. Owner disputes that manufacturer should cover damage resulting from product design choices that attract rodents.
When: Occurring within first few months of ownership after vehicle parked for several days
Symptoms owners cite: Strange noise under hood; Jerking and non-smooth shifting from first to second gear; Mouse droppings found on engine; Extensive wire damage discovered
Repairs/costs cited: Repair estimated at $500 or more; wire casing material appears to attract rodents
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under manufacturer defect warranty
Carbon Canister Purge Motor Running After Engine Off
Electric motor near rear axle runs for hours after engine is shut off. Owner concerned about safety if gasoline fumes are present in garage.
When: Motor continues to run several hours after engine shutdown
Symptoms owners cite: Electric motor near rear axle continues running hours after vehicle turned off; Motor operates unilaterally without driver control
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer states information is in service manual but not owner's manual; identifies function as carbon canister purge motor
Sunroof Seal Failure and Water Intrusion
Sunroof rubber seal fails, allowing water leakage into vehicle. Water damage affects side airbag deployment capability, creating safety hazard. Resulting mold growth impedes driver ability.
When: Occurring at undetermined mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Water leak from sunroof; Water damage to side airbag system; Airbag unable to deploy properly; Mold growth in carpet; Mold affects driver's ability to operate vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Attributed to faulty rubber seal material or installation
Front Bumper Clip Failure
Front bumper clips fail and bumper detaches, occurring after uneventful car wash with no impact.
When: Occurring after routine car wash
Symptoms owners cite: Front bumper falls down after car wash; Clips no longer function
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reattached using tie-straps
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Toyota highlander. The contact stated that the rear door failed to properly open and close. The contact had to apply force or the door would remain open. The vehilce was taken to the dealer (furiel Toyota ponce, industrial san rafael, 00731, calle navarra, ponce, puerto rico, 1-787-284-2020) for diagnostic testing. The dealer indicated that the warranty expired on…
I parked my car in the garage and several hours later I happened to need something out there. When I entered I heard an electric motor running even though the car had been turned off for several hours. Crawling under the car I found that the sound was comming from a motor near the rear axle. I reported it to my Toyota dealer and they advised that it was a motor that may run hours after the car…
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…
Takata recall-this past sunday my car had been parked in the drive way for a few days and when I went to drive my car and there was a strange noise under the hood, I backed out of the drive way and when the car shifted from first to second it jurked and was not smooth so I parked the car. I looked under the hood and there were mouse dropping on the engine. I called Toyota on monday morning and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Toyota highlander. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. A police officer helped the contact coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle restarted after it was coasted to the side of the road and driven to the contact's residence. The contact took the vehicle to darcars Toyota frederick (5293 buckeystown pike, frederick, md 21704,…
Had electrical trouble with your 2015 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 45 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 30,000 and 91,000 miles, with the median around 50,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 91,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.