2015 Toyota Highlander Electrical System

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 the infotainment system; the contact's wife and children immediately exited the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact's wife suffered minor burns on her right hand but did not seek medical attention. The contact had the vehicle towed back home where it remained in the contact's possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

actuators, yes it's available for inspection The actuators on all the door are going out, they randomly work. It's a safety issue if you needed to exit the car for any emergency or making sure your car is locked and secured. You're at risk due to it simply not working, getting into the car it's a security issue, presents issues for parent(s) with children, children with disabilities, driver/passengers with disablities. When the car is put into reverse, they will not automatically lock as they should. Same when put into park, they do not automatically lock or unlock. Yes, the dealer confirmed the issue. The driver door actuator has been replaced but the other doors need to be replaced now as well. To my knowledge the faulty actuator has not been inspected No warning it just happened. but when they due fail to lock when using the keypad the car doesn't confirm the lock and security is set. When they fail to unlock using the keypad the car continues to beep several times after hitting the unlock button. You have to manually reach/maneuver to lock or unlock the door.

THE SCREEN FREEZES AND RESTART FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SITUATION IS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY.

DOOR ACTUATORS ON BOTH REAR PASSENGER DOORS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. DOOR LOCKS DO NOT RESPOND TO POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH NOR THE KEY FOBS.

THE MONITOR RESETS/ REBOOTS AT LEAST ONE TIME EVERY TIME YOU IN MOTION WITH THE VEHICLE. MEANING THAT THE GPS, BLUETOOTH AND MUSIC ALL STOPS AND RESTARTS. I'VE PAID TO HAVE THE MONITOR REPLACED BUT IT STILL DID NOT STOP THE ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS HAPPENING. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT IS AN ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIPS DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT WHICH I BELIEVE MAKES IS A LARGER ELECTRICAL ISSUE.

THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. WITHIN TWO MONTHS ALL OF THE ACTUATOR DOOR LOCKS FAILED ON ALL OF THE DOORS. THE COST TO REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR A FIX AND FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN READING THEY MAY FAIL AGAIN. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED SINCE THERE WERE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT.

IN 2016, 1 YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED TO INTERMITTENTLY STOP OPENING AND LOCKING WITH THE KEY, AND INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LOCK BUTTONS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT, AS PARENTS CANNOT CONTROL THE LOCKS. ADDITIONALLY, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE TO ALL PASSENGERS, AS PASSENGERS CANNOT ENTER OR EXIT THE CAR EASILY AND/OR QUICKLY AS THE LOCKS DON'T CONSISTENTLY RESPOND WHEN USING THE INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL BUTTON ELECTRONIC KEY. *TR

IN DECEMBER OF 2018 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY DOORS,GOT IT CHECKED AT TOYOTA,3 DOOR ACTUATORS HAD GONE BAD ,TOYOTA SAID IT WAS NOT A RECALL,CHECKED TOYOTA BULLETIN NUMEROUS OWNERS WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, TOYOTA WAS NOT GOING TO FIX PROBLEM COST 3 HUNDRED PLUS FOR EACH ACTUATOR PLUS LABOR,HAD TO BUY ON AMAZON AND FIX MYSELF.

THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE REAR GATE REMAINS IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHICH KEEPS THE HATCH UNABLE TO ENGAGE ALLOWING THE GATE TO FLY OPEN WHEN DRIVING. THIS CAUSES A DANGER TO PETS AND MATERIAL STORED IN THE REAR OF THE 2015 HIGHLANDER ON A CITY STREET WHILE MOVING IN A STRAGHT LINE..

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 MONTHS.

DRIVER-SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY FOB, DOOR HANDLE, OR THE SWITCH INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ISSUE WAS SPORADIC AT FIRST BUT NOW OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME WE (TRY TO) LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE TO BE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR, WHICH I INTEND ON REPLACING.

THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM WILL GO HAYWIRE THEN REBOOT ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. YOU CAN NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE SCREEN WHILE IT IS GOING HAYWIRE. I HAVE A VIDEO BUT COULD NOT UPLOAD IT. THIS HAPPENS A LOT.

AFTER DRIVING A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THE NAV UNIT WILL RESET ITSELF, SHORT OR LONG TRIPS MAY RESULT IN MULTIPLE OCCURANCESES

DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT BEGAN HEATING TO A HIGH LEVEL WHILE CONTROL WAS IN 'OFF' POSITION. DRIVER'S LUMBAR SUPPORT PRESSURE BEGAN INCREASING ON ITS OWN WITHOUT USE OF THE PRESSURE CONTROL BUTTON.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON AND/OR KEY FAILED TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA (9550 NORDHOFF ST, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324, (818) 734-5600). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 12 MONTHS ON THE VEHICLE, TWICE ON THE SAME DOOR. THE INTERNET HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. THE FAILURE RATE IS FAR TOO HIGH FOR THIS ACTUATOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE, DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE HIGHLANDER, IF YOU EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING THE 3 PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT RESPOND TO THE KEY FOB OR THE EXTERIOR MANUAL UNLOCKING MECHANISM. IF THE DRIVER DOOR ACTUATOR FAILS DURING THIS SCENARIO YOU ARE EFFECTIVELY BARRED FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.

BRAKES LIGHTS TO DO NOT ALWAYS LIGHT UP. TOOK TO AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. MY WIFE DRIVES CAR HOME AND I CAN SEE THAT LEFT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WORK BUT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) DOES NOT LIGHT UP. TURN SIGNALS ARE OK. BRAKES LIGHT WORK SOMETIMES. NOT BULB PROBLEM.

THE FRONT MAIN CONSOLE OF THE GPS, RADIO, AND ENTIRE RADIO HEAD WILL SUDDENLY GETS FROZEN AND/ REQUIRING REBOOT. THE VOICE ACTIVATION/RECOGNITION HAS HARD TIME RECOGNIZING VOICE, COMMANDS, AND 90% OF THE TIME IT IS A USELESS DEVICE, WHICH DRIVERS MUST USE THE PHONE MANUALLY INSTEAD. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR A DRIVER SINCE WE ARE RELYING ON THE MODERN DEVICES. A CONSUMER LIKE ME IS EXPECTING >$36,000 TO HAVE HANDS FREE AND EFFICIENT VOICE RECOGNITION AS PART OF SAFETY FEATURES .

THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN AND REBOOTS. THE FRONT USB PLUG WORKS INCONSISTENTLY. THE DOOR LOCKS WORK INCONSISTENTLY. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA IN SLIDELL, LA AND THEY CHARGED ME $600 AND SAID IT WAS MY BATTERY. MY CAR IS STILL DOING THE ABOVE AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA. :-(

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. A POLICE OFFICER HELPED THE CONTACT COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER IT WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DARCARS TOYOTA FREDERICK (5293 BUCKEYSTOWN PIKE, FREDERICK, MD 21704, (301) 696-6300), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO GET NHTSA'S HELP BECAUSE TOYOTA WON'T PROVIDE ANY REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM. ON 4/17/2015, I BOUGHT A TOYOTA 2015 HIGHLANDER LE PLUS FROM TOYOTA NORTH BRUNSWICK (NJ) AND NOTICED BUZZING SOUND AFTER DRIVING ONLY ~30 MINUTES. BUZZING SOUND COMES FROM DASHBOARD AREA CONSTANTLY, ~ONCE EVERY MINUTE (IN THE BEGINNING OF DRIVING) TO ~EVERY SECOND (AFTER DRIVING AN HOUR). THE NOISE IS FROM THE AIR BLEND SERVO (RELATED TO AC) AS ACKNOWLEDGED BY LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DPT, BUT TOYOTA KEEPS SAYING THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL NO MATTER HOW OFTEN IT HAPPENS BECAUSE THE REGIONAL TOYOTA FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST (FTS) [XXX] SAID SO, I.E. TOYOTA CAN'T HELP YOU. (NOTE: HE HASN'T EVEN CHECKED MY VEHICLE IN PERSON.) I THINK THE NOISE ITSELF CAN HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT THE PROBLEM IS FREQUENCY, JUST LIKE SNEEZING EVERY SECOND IS NOT NORMAL EVEN THOUGH SNEEZING ITSELF IS NORMAL TO HUMAN. A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THE OTHER DAY THAT REPLACING AIR BLEND SERVO IS PRETTY EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THE WHOLE DASHBOARD NEEDS TO BE TAKEN APART. I SUSPECT TOYOTA WON'T FIX THIS UNDER ITS WARRANTY UNLESS THIS PROBLEM BECOMES LIFE THREATENING, I.E. TOO EXPENSIVE FOR TOYOTA. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ASK "HOW CAN YOU DRIVE WITH THIS CRAZY NOISE?". THE NOISE IS ALMOST LIKE SLEEPING W/ 100 GNATS IN THE SAME ROOM. I AM A DRIVE WITH OVER 20 YEARS' EXPERIENCE AND HAVE ALWAYS USED NEW VEHICLES, BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH NEW VEHICLES FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. P.S. I ALSO FOUND MORE PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM AND FRUSTRATION: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/333-3RD-GENERATION-2014/1077937-WEIRD-VIBRATING-BUZZING-NOISE.HTML. *TR

I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND SEVERAL HOURS LATER I HAPPENED TO NEED SOMETHING OUT THERE. WHEN I ENTERED I HEARD AN ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CRAWLING UNDER THE CAR I FOUND THAT THE SOUND WAS COMMING FROM A MOTOR NEAR THE REAR AXLE. I REPORTED IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS A MOTOR THAT MAY RUN HOURS AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF TO PURGE THE CARBON CANISTER. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY FOUND THAT INFORMATION IN THEIR SERVICE MANUAL, BUT NOT THE OWNERS MANUAL. ONE TIME OUR LAWN MOWER DECIDED TO LEAK DURING THE NIGHT RESULTING IN HEAVY GASOLINE FUMES IN THE GARAGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN I DO NOT THINK ANY ELECTRIC MOTOR ON THE CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNILATERALLY DECIDE WHEN TO RUN AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. *TR