Problems · by component

2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid structure problems

26 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cite structure, 14% of all 182 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
26
14% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2023Electrical system, StructureODI 11552188
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, StructureODI 11527077
“The rear tail gate seal for lamps on both the left and right side have failed and the lamp assemblies condense and fill with water. I have read other reports on your website of the same problem with the highlander. In your other reports the a person was told Toyota will not warranty the lamps because of moisture in them because it is not a safety issue. While it is because the moisture blocks the light for the vehicle behind to see and thus rear end. I live in Massachusetts and there is a yearly vehicle inspection and when I went to get it done I was told it would not pass safety inspection with moisture in the lamp so I had to get the left hand one replaced to pass. Now 6 months later my righthand tailgate lamp is full of moisture and will not pass my upcoming Massachusetts safety inspection. The cost was $205.44 now another of the same. It is definitely a safety issue in Massachusetts and in my opinin should also be treated as such by the NHTSA for Toyota recall and reimbursement.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2023Exterior lighting, StructureODI 11521847
“Blizzard pearl paint is peeling off the roof leading to rust and damaged structural integrity. Toyota has a recall for all blizzard pearl paint vehicles EXCEPT the highlander. They inspected it and said its wasn't in the recall even though the paint has a known problem and they would not fix the problem as it would be a legal admission of guilt that the recall is incomplete.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2021StructureODI 11435547
“The door locks have stopped working one by one. First I noticed the driver door not unlocking or locking with the key fob, with the touch system on the door handle, or with the button on the inside panel. Then I noticed my back door on the driver side not locking or unlocking with the key fob OR with the button on the inside panel. Both of these locks are now manual only. And the front passenger door lock only works sometimes, so I imagine it will stop working altogether soon as well. This puts the safety of my belongings, myself, and my children at risk. I don't know how long this had been happening before I noticed it, so I very easily could have been unknowingly leaving my car unlocked all over town. I am unable to enter my car quickly because I have to take the key fob apart and use the manual key to enter the driver door, and then my son has to wait for me to manually unlock his door before he can get in. My daughter sits on the other side so he can't just switch to the side that works. Well he could but then my daughter would have the same issue. If it was an emergency situation and we had to get into the car quickly it's just not possible. Also in…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2021Electrical system, StructureODI 11429572
“BACK STOP LIGHT GET RAIN WATER! PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BREAK ALWAYS WEARING OUT BEFORE OTHERS BREAKS ! TRUNK DOOR AUTOMATIC BROKEN! 3 ROW SIT UNDER NEED GET RUSHED! SEAT BELT MOUNTED ON THE FLOOR IF YOU PUT MATS PULL YOU BACK ALL TIME ! AC WENT U TURN ON NOT WORKING RIGHT AWAY TAKE 5-10 MIN TO COOL DOWN !”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2021Structure, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11407432

Showing 6 of 26 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2015 Highlander Hybrid problem areas