Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 182 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 30 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 13% |
| Steering | 18 | 10% |
| Structure | 15 | 8% |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3% |
| Power train | 6 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The blizzard pearl paint on my vehicle is peeling off of the roof and possibly the side of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I have noticed speed issues or high idling with this vehicle for a while. I committed a rear end collision with a vehicle on July 4, 2025, at approximately 2pm. My car rear ended his truck while it was stopped behind a
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
On [XXX] my vehicle suffered an unintended acceleration on a very busy highway of The Dominican Republic, reaching a speed of 100 MPH. I was able to drive the car into the bushes of the highway service road hitting all
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
Driving to take my son to work. Check engine light came on said check and system. Hard shifting put in manual drive and made it to destination.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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 wee
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Trunk keeps malfunctioning. During lift would not open all the way or at all and sometimes once open will not close.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Unknown-tailgate failure keeps beeping will not automatically go up or down not sure why?
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 continue
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 83 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 74 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 50 | average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 182 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and unknown or other is the most reported area with 30 of them (16%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 83/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2015 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 77/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.