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2015 Toyota Highlander Transmission Problems

7 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

7
Complaints
1
Crashes
Feb 2023Dec 2022
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (7)

highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2024

Your rear U-joint (the component that connects your driveshaft) was found to be loose and required replacement at 167,361 miles. A loose U-joint can cause vibration and noise while driving, and if left unaddressed, could lead to driveshaft failure. The fix involves removing and replacing the rear U-joint with a new one.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 11593320
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2023

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. Once the incident passed I retained control of the vehicle , yet the automatic transmission started to act very peculiar and frequently failed to downshift in a normal way which could only be achieved by intentionally taking pressure of the gas pedal, and only after the downshift had happened, more power cold be applied. Another brief and less pronounced perceived jolt happened on the short remainder of the drive home. Once parked at home I realized that the car would not engage when the lever was put in “reverse”, but would engage when put in “drive”. I plan to have the vehicle towed to my Toyota service station and have it inspected/fixed.

NHTSA #: 11505693
mediumPOWER TRAIN
CrashFiled: Dec 2022

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 #: 11497653
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2020

IN THE FREEWAY RUNNING 65 MPH , CAR START JUGGLING AND VIBRATION , SO I SLOW DOWN TO 60 MPH AND PROCEED GOING HOME , HAPPENED LAST NIGHT 9 PM

NHTSA #: 11363774
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2020

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 #: 11310982
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2018

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. I SWITCHED OFF THE CAR AT THE SHOP AND IT WOULDNT REPEAT THE PROBLEM, NO CODES HAVE BEEN RECORDED BY THE VEHICLES COMPUTER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIP WANT TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. SINCE IT HAPPENED BEFORE, ALSO WHILE IT WAS DRIVING I AM UNCOMFORTABLE AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I BELIEVE THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE OF THE CAR IS SHORTING OUT AND CAUSING THE CAR TO GO INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND SHUT DOWN CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA #: 11152930
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2015

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 *TR

NHTSA #: 10763791

Other 2015 Toyota Highlander Issues