Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. The power steering warning light also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store where a handheld diagnostic machine did not detect any failures or codes. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel became extremely stiff. On one occasion while his daughter was driving and turning the vehicle on a curved road, the vehicle veered into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that she managed to get the vehicle back to the correct side of the road, then stopped and inspected the vehicle. …
[redacted] battery light appeared on dash. [redacted] on my way to Limestone service station 399 Danbury rd Ridgefield ct ph203-438-8028 a warning appeared on dash stating i will lose steering.Luckily I managed to pull into a parking lot and lost all ability to steer. Thank God i was not on the highway and was not in a catastrophic accident.The dashboard went blank. The engine stayed on as I called Limestone and was told I needed to be towed..As I was calling Allstate for a tow the dashboard came back on and so did the steering. I drove to Limestone. After checking everything I was told they didn't find any codes and there must be a glitch in the system. Battery good, alternator good, serpentine belt good. We also found a recall NHTSA campaign number15V144000 for unexpected loss of electric power steering increasing the risk of a crash for 2015 Toyota Highlander. …
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering became firm. The steering wheel independently moved to the left and to the right. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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 weeks. Been a month now and it hasn't come on but it was dangerous due to driving and turning issues.
Tl* the contact owned a 2015 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 50 MPH on a winding road, the steering wheel locked up and prevented the contact from maintaining control. As a result, the vehicle drove into a ditch and flipped over. The air bags deployed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to the face and leg. Medical attention was not needed. The dealer stated that the vehicle was included in and repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V144000 (steering). The contact stated that they were never informed of the recall or the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,425.
Our 2015 Highlander steering intermittently locks up and has a complete loss of power. First happened when starting the vehicle and had to sit and start and stop over 15 times and the steering finally came back. We immediately contacted Toyota and they said this vehicle had no recalled parts and there is no problem. When it happened the second time we took it in and they said it had a bad battery and the problem was fixed. We paid a hefty service fee and paid for a really expensive battery. Two days later it happened again and while moving on a city street about 35/40 MPH. We got over safely but was so dangerous. Took it back to Toyota and they are telling us the vehicle has no problem and we just need to use it till it happens again and bring it back! If we don't kill ourselves or another motorist! …
I took my 2015 Toyota Highlander to fred anderson Toyota in raleigh for a recall on the ciruit board for the electric power steering. They found that my car contained the defecctive part and were unable to provide me an eta on the replacement part. The dealershiip provided a camry rental car, not a comparable vehicle. The entire reason I purchased the Highlander was becuase my family need a large SUV. I traded in a car for an SUV and have received a car back from them. I have left messages for the rental car manager and he has not returned my calls. The service department indicates thatt several highlanders have been waiting for this part for over a month now, which is unacceptable. It could be over a month before I get my brand new vehicle back (no one can tell me), and I'm stuck with a vehicle that does not meet my families daily needs. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle drifted safely off of the roadway. The ignition was cycled off and on; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, with the ignition in the off position, the contact was able to manually turn the steering wheel in either direction. With the ignition in the on position, the steering wheel remained seized in one position. The vehicle was towed to gale Toyota (located at 50 palomba dr, enfield, ct 06082, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V144000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted on April 24. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000. The VIN was not available.
I received a recall notice in the mail on May 12 about a possible defective circuit board for the electric power steering. I took the car to a Toyota dealer on May 13, and was told later that day that my car did indeed have one of the units deemed defective. I was given a loaner car at no charge. Everything seemed OK, but now it is 10 days later, and no replacement part has arrived. Not only that but both the dealer and the national customer service number are completely unable to predict when any replacement parts will be available. Is there any way to make Toyota more responsive? Is there any way to get Toyota to put more pressure on the manufacturer of the circuit board in question? What constitutes a "reasonable time" for Toyota to remedy this defect?
For two years now, my vehicle will randomly have an engine stall while operating the vehicle. It happens at different speeds and while going straight ahead or turning. The entire instrument panel and navigation screens shuts off and turns back on. I have taken the car in to Toyota twice and was told they couldn't find anything wrong or get the the vehicle to malfunction again. Today, the engine didn't immediately come back on after stalling, and I had to pull over and turn the car off and back on again. My car has less than 33000 miles on it and has had regular maintenance. This is truly a safety concern at this point and it seems I'm not the only one with this issue according to those reported to the NHTSA.
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
Remedy: 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.
Steering complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the steering of the 2015 Toyota Highlander, 13% of the model year's 192 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Toyota Highlander steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-144 (electric power assist system, Mar 13, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Toyota Highlander steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.