Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2015 Toyota Highlander HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 182 owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (48) and structure (26). The EPA rates it 28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
182
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
182 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2014 – Jul 2025
- Electrical system48
- Structure26
- Steering23
- Service brakes15
- Vehicle speed control11
- Visibility/wiper11
- Engine10
- Exterior lighting9
- Power train7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Highlander Hybrid model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 650 |
| 2007 | 234 |
| 2008 | 603 |
| 2009 | 174 |
| 2010 | 238 |
| 2015 | 182 |
| 2016 | 108 |
| 2017 | 224 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 9 |
- Crashes reported
- 17
- Fires reported
- 6
- Injuries reported
- 16
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
48 reports4 fires
“I have a 2015 Toyota Highlander XLE. Last winter I began noticing a burning smell which I believed to be electrical inside the vehicle. I was able to determine it was the driver seat heater and the burning smell continued even with the toggle switch turned off. I stopped at a local Toyota dealership, Koch Toyota, who refused to show me which plug under the seat to unplug to disconnect power. They tried to insist that I drop the car off and let them check it. Due to past negative experiences with that Toyota dealership I refused. I was able to speak to my own mechanic who instructed me to remove the fuse for the driver's seat heater which I did and the smell stopped however the seat heater is not functioning now. Upon recent research online it appears this is a common problem especially in 2015 Toyota Highlanders. I found a couple other owners of the xle models on a website called Toyota Nation who experienced similar problems where their vehicles actually caught fire and melted the center consoles after the burning smell was misdiagnosed. I believe this is a huge safety concern and have recently filed a report with Toyota Corporate in hopes to get the issue…”
Structure
26 reports1 crash
“We have a 2019 Toyota Highlander. VIN: [XXX] . There are two issues with this vehicle... 1) Our bumper fell down after an uneventful car wash. We didn't hit anything. Reported it to the car wash place (Ollie's Car Wash in Walker, LA) after we noticed it fell. We had to tie-strap it back up because the clips no longer worked right. This happened August 12, 2023. We have pictures of the damage. 2) A second issue is totally separate from the first. This one has to do with the back lifting door. It often gets stuck to where we have to manually force it closed. We have to reset the button often. Sometimes it gets stuck open and sometimes it won't open at all.”
Steering
23 reports1 crash
“Driving the car was hard to steer. Check engine light came on and check speed sensor. Went to a mechanic and disconnected the battery, the sensor reset and back driving ok for about two weeks. This went on for a few weeks. Been a month now and it hasn't come on but it was dangerous due to driving and turning issues.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid
- Transmissions
- Automatic (AV-S6)
- Drive
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Hybrid AWD Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 27 | 28 | 28 | $2,200 | 319 |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 28 | 28 | $2,200 | 313 |
- 28mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 9137
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2015 Highlander Hybrid questions
How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.
What are the most common 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems?
Owners filed 182 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (48), structure (26), steering (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
How safe is the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026