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2015 Toyota Highlander Maintenance Schedule

Manufacturer-recommended service intervals for the Maintenance Required Light and open recall alerts for your 2015 Toyota Highlander.

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Recalls2Full scheduleKnown issues8

How Toyota schedules service: Maintenance Required Light

Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

⚠️

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign #18E107000 · Nov 27, 2018

Issue: Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).

Risk: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #15V144000 · Mar 13, 2015

Issue: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.

Risk: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall data refreshed Jul 26, 2026.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

🛢️

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

🔄

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

🛑

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

🧪

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

💨

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

⚙️

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

⚡

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

🌡️

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

🌬️

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

🔗

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

⏱️

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Toyota Highlander.

Reported to NHTSA

Door lock actuator failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2026-05

“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…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11736019
“THREE OF THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE SAME TIME. MY WIFE CANNOT UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS WITHOUT GOING TO THE ONE DOOR THAT IS WORKING WHEN SHE PUSHES THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON HER REMOTE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ARTICLES AND…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11242278

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Infotainment system freeze and reboot

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2021-02

“VEHICLE'S RADIO, MAPS, ENTUNES, WILL FREEZE. AS WELL AS THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. IT WILL THEN RESET ITSELF AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF BEING FROZEN AND UNABLE TO USE ANY FEATURES. THIS OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES A WEEK OVER THE LAST SEVERAL…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11245584
“INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM KEEPS CRASHING AND REBOOTING DURING NORMAL OPERATION/DRIVING CONDITIONS. MOST OCCURRENCES HAPPENED DURING HOT DAYS BUT HAS OCCURRED DURING IN THE MORNING WHEN THE TEMP. WAS BELOW 70 F. OCCURRED ON JULY 17 (3-4 TIMES), AUG 20 (OVER 10 TIMES) AND AUG 31 (1…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10899693

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Panoramic sunroof glass shattering while driving

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

10 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2026-03

“The moon roof in my car completely shattered out of no where while I was driving down the road and fell all into my backseat. If my children were in the car, they would have had glass all over them.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725954
“Front half of panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded. Conditions were light rain, morning, freeway at 65 MPH. Exploded outward, not much traffic or anything around, not hit by debris. Did not seem like safety issue in this case other than startling noise, cloth cover was…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11505524

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tail lamp housing water intrusion

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-06 → 2023-05

“Rear tail lamps on lift gate both sides have failed seals that allow moisture to condense inside the lens. This occurs to the point the water collects inside the lens and obstructs the emission of light when the brake pedal is depressed. Several reports of this happening can be…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11490085
“2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED--3 OR 4 OUNCES OF WATER HAS ACCUMULATED IN BOTH OF MY TAIL LIGHTS (THAT CONTROL BRAKE LIGHTS AND BACKUP LIGHTS) THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE HATCH OF MY TAIL GATE. THIS CAUSES A GREAT DEAL OF CONDENSATION TO CLOUD REAR BRAKE AND BACKUP LIGHTS. WHEN THE…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11103710

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric power steering assist loss

STEERING

18 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2026-06

“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…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11741329
“WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AS IF POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. "EPS FAILURE, STEERING WHEEL HARDER TO TURN" WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH CLUSTER. WE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON -- THE WARNING DISAPPEARED…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10811024

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power liftgate failure to open or close

STRUCTURE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2015-02 → 2024-12

“THE POWER LIFTGATE CLOSED ON MY HEAD WHEN I WAS PUTTING STUFF IN THE TRUNK. IT WAS OPEN LIKE NORMAL, BUT THEN IT SUDDENLY DROPPED WITHOUT WARNING. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS CLOSING COMPLETELY. IT IS STILL HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11021367
“THIS HIGHLANDER HAS A POWER LIFTGATE. IF A CHILD OR ADULT GETS IN THE WAY OF THE LIFTGATE WHEN IT IS LOWERING, THE CHILD OR ADULT CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED, CRUSHED OR KILLED BECAUSE THE LIFTGATE HAS NO EASY REVERSING FEATURE. IT DOES REVERSE WHEN IT HITS AN OBJECT BUT THE FORCE…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10684150

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended vehicle acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2025-07

“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…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11497653
“I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED BY SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA). I WAS PULLING INTO A DIAGONAL PARKING SPACE ON A CITY STREET, PROCEEDING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN SURGE IN ACCELERATION ACCOMPANIED BY A GRINDING SOUND. I HIT…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11084273

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical fire in cabin or engine compartment

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2024-07

“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. While stopped at a gas station with the engine on, the contact's wife smelled an abnormal, burning odor coming from the vehicle without warning. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact's wife saw flames shooting from the dashboard near…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11581700
“My Highlander had a strange burning smell and we couldn’t find where it was coming from. We took it to a shop where they checked everything over and suggested that the smell was our brakes. They lubricated the brakes and replaced my tires and struts. When I went to pick up the…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11574819

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

  • 2012 Toyota Highlander →
  • 2013 Toyota Highlander →
  • 2014 Toyota Highlander →
  • 2016 Toyota Highlander →
  • 2017 Toyota Highlander →
  • 2018 Toyota Highlander →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Jul 27, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Jul 27, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Toyota Highlander reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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