2015 Toyota Highlander Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 193 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 193 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving my Highlander the following error messages appeared, error keeping the start button pressed will cause an emergency stop. I dismissed this. Then it popped up a message that car cannot drive while brake and accelerator are pressed simultaneously. I lost ability to accelerate so tried to pull of busy road, pressing the brake pedal restored acceleration. Then when I stopped in traffic or at lights the car shut itself down and had to be restarted. These error messages kept coming on while I drove to the dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11152930, filed 2018-11, 66,670 miles“When trying to merge with traffic at an onramp, the vehicle will frequently refuse to downshift to match traffic speed when doing 35-50mph. This has resulted in several close calls under these circumstances and I never know when this will happen. This forces a manual downshift that cannot always be in time. This same problem has been reported on numerous forums and some have reported having to trick the transmission into downshifting”
NHTSA complaint #11310982, filed 2020-02, 80,000 miles“On the Freeway off ramp, during the slow down- and down shifting-process the vehicle appeared to block the wheels and to skid for a short time. Also, the vibration feature that indicates loss of traction got activated for that time and the “slip indicator” warning light lit up (I do not know for how long). During the incident I felt not in control of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11505693, filed 2023-02“The transmission has a flutter when trying to shift up or down to different gears. It causes a hesitancy in the performance of the vehicle. It has been documented by the caldwell Toyota dealership in conway, ar USA and I have also been told that it is in other highlanders. I request a recall to have this fixed. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10763791, filed 2015-09“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without any warning at high speed. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop, causing the vehicle to drive into traffic and striking several vehicles causing front damage to the vehicle. The contact was unsure if anyone was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 98,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11497653, filed 2022-12, 98,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134401Apr 13, 2016TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for inspecting and adjusting World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) level at normal vehicle operating temperature…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 55 | 21% |
| 2021 | 229 | 43% |
| 2020 | 126 | 39% |
| 2019 | 214 | 42% |
| 2018 | 72 | 26% |
| 2017 | 77 | 28% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 6 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 51 | 23% |
| 2004 | 58 | 20% |
| 2003 | 13 | 5% |
| 2002 | 14 | 5% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2015 Toyota Highlander
52 complaintsOther or unknown
43 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology