2015 Toyota Highlander Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: April 30, 2026 · Filed: October 29, 2026

My 2015 Toyota Highlander equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine developed an engine oil leak originating from the timing chain cover sealing area. On April 30, 2026, Kearny Mesa Toyota in San Diego, California, identified the leak during an inspection when the vehicle had a little over 100,000 miles. I am concerned that this condition may indicate premature failure of the timing chain cover sealing system and warrant investigation into a potential design or manufacturing defect. An engine sealing system should be sufficiently durable to prevent oil leakage under normal operating conditions. The occurrence of this problem at just over 100,000 miles raises concerns about the long-term reliability of this component and whether similar failures affect other vehicles equipped with the same engine. Although the leak was described as seepage or oily residue, it may worsen over time. Depending on its severity and location, leaking oil could contact hot engine or exhaust components, potentially causing smoke or creating a fire hazard. Continued oil loss could also compromise engine lubrication, lead to significant engine damage, or result in unexpected vehicle failure. These are potential safety risks associated with the condition, not claims that a fire or engine failure has already occurred. The oil leak was identified by a Toyota dealership during an inspection. The dealership’s diagnosis and related service records may be available for review upon request. Whether the manufacturer has formally investigated or acknowledged this condition as a defect is unknown. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this complaint alongside other reports involving timing chain cover oil leaks in 2015 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. I ask the agency to determine whether these reports indicate a recurring premature component failure, whether the condition presents an unreasonable safety risk, and whether further investigation or corrective action is warranted.

Incident: May 25, 2026 · Filed: September 23, 2026

The paint is severely peeling on the outside. This can likely flake off and damages other vehicles, property, and roadway infrastructure. This is the factory coat of paint. Color is Toyota Blizzard Pearl (070)

Incident: November 1, 2025 · Filed: September 12, 2026

Blizzard White color - Car paint peeling on multiple areas.

Incident: February 6, 2026 · Filed: August 27, 2026

The a/c condenser was damaged due to impact of road debris. This caused loss of proper system operation. The cost to repair was $1100+. The debris entered thru the front grill, which has nothing in place to prevent debris from entering the engine compartment.

Incident: July 20, 2026 · Filed: August 4, 2026

The factory paint on my 2015 Toyota Highlander, Blizzard Pearl (Toyota code 070), is delaminating from the primer. The base coat lifts and peels in sheets, starting on the roof, fender, and pillars — the panels with the greatest UV exposure. There has been no collision, repaint, or chemical damage; this is spontaneous adhesion loss between the factory base coat and primer. First noticed 5/5/2026 at ~137,193 miles, it has spread across the roof and pillars, with the largest piece so far (~4"x2") flying off the vehicle. Delamination lines radiating under the paint indicate more will detach, and the defect affects all painted surfaces. On 7/20/2026, while driving at highway speed, a large paint chip detached from the passenger-side A-pillar and flew off, directly witnessed by my passenger. Paint released from a moving vehicle poses a road hazard to trailing vehicles, and further detachment events are likely. This is a known manufacturing defect in Toyota's 070 Blizzard Pearl paint. Toyota acknowledged the identical defect — UV-related adhesion failure between primer and base coat — in Customer Support Program ZKG, covering the Camry, Corolla, Avalon, 4Runner, Scion, and Lexus GX of the same era. The Highlander was painted with the same 070 formulation in the same period but was excluded, and that program has expired. CSP 23TE08 (Sept 2024), covering paint adhesion failure on 2016–2022 Tacomas in 040 Super White, shows Toyota continues to acknowledge this defect category on other models while Highlander owners remain excluded. The delamination exposes primer and bare metal, leading to panel corrosion. I contacted Toyota's Brand Engagement Center on 8/4/2026, case #260804002309, requesting goodwill assistance and was denied the same day; a case manager review is pending. I file this complaint to document the defect on a Highlander so NHTSA has an accurate record of affected models beyond those Toyota has chosen to cover.

Incident: July 21, 2026 · Filed: July 21, 2026

The paint is severely peeling on the outside. This can likely flake off and damages other vehicles, property, and roadway infrastructure. This is the factory coat of paint. Color is Toyota Blizzard Pearl (070)

Incident: March 17, 2026 · Filed: July 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the power liftgate consistently failed halfway through while opening and closing the liftgate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact became aware of information online about Technical Service Bulletin: SB0023/16, NHTSA ID Number: 10134306 (Structure, Electrical System); and associated the failure with the TSB. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty, TSB, or a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Incident: May 31, 2026 · Filed: June 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the infotainment screen would go blank and the system would turn on inadvertently. This issue became more frequent, occurring approximately every 10 seconds. The power steering warning light also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store where a handheld diagnostic machine did not detect any failures or codes. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel became extremely stiff. On one occasion while his daughter was driving and turning the vehicle on a curved road, the vehicle veered into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that she managed to get the vehicle back to the correct side of the road, then stopped and inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an auto parts store where a handheld diagnostic machine was used, but the failure was not detected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact believes that the steering failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V144 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,800.

Incident: April 1, 2021 · Filed: May 6, 2026

Door lock actuators, yes it is available for inspection. Doors cannot be locked or unlocked with a remote key fob or the interior power door locks. Lock defect poses a significant safety hazard in that a single or multiple doors may not lock at any time, whether the vehicle is on or off and despite actions or commands by the driver. The alleged defect is dangerous to passengers as it can cause unintentional door openings while a vehicle is in use, result in inoperable doors during emergency situations, and leave a vehicle and any contents therein more vulnerable to theft. This poses serious safety concerns, for example when vehicles are involved in vehicular accidents because the occupants may become entrapped when the Door Actuator Defect prevents an occupant from unlocking the doors. Furthermore, this defect jeopardizes the safety of vehicle occupants given that not all doors are capable of being manually unlocked from the exterior. Since owning my highlander I've taken it to the dealership several times for this issue. The front door driver and passenger were replaced and a lock switch however dealership claimed they could not recreate the issue for all doors yet the issue continued and is noted several times in service history. Even when under warranty they refused to change the parts despite multiple service notes and verbal compilations due to their claim of not being able to recreate the issue. There were no warning lights or messages or other symptoms prior to failure. I've had this car since 2019 and it's been an issue notably since 2021. I fear the safety of myself, my family and other passengers are compromised every time we enter the vehicle.

Incident: March 18, 2026 · Filed: March 20, 2026

Exterior lights continually burn out.