2015 Toyota Highlander: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed May 6, 2026 · Electrical · LA

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 on or off and despite actions or commands by the driver. The alleged defect is dangerous to passengers as it can cause unintentional door openings while a vehicle is in use, result in inoperable doors during emergency situations, and leave a vehicle and any contents therein more vulnerable to theft. This poses serious safety concerns, for example when vehicles are involved in vehicular accidents because the occupants may become entrapped when the Door Actuator Defect prevents an occupant from unlocking the doors. Furthermore, this defect jeopardizes the safety of vehicle occupants given that not all doors are capable of being manually unlocked from the exterior. Since owning my highlander I've taken it to the dealership several times for this issue. The front door driver and passenger were replaced and a lock switch however dealership claimed they could not recreate the issue for all doors yet the issue continued and is noted several times in service history. Even when under warranty they refused to change the parts despite multiple service notes and verbal compilations due to their claim of not being able to recreate the issue. There were no warning lights or messages or other symptoms prior to failure. I've had this car since 2019 and it's been an issue notably since 2021. I fear the safety of myself, my family and other passengers are compromised every time we enter the vehicle.

Filed Aug 18, 2021 · Body, Electrical · AL

The door locks have stopped working one by one. First I noticed the driver door not unlocking or locking with the key fob, with the touch system on the door handle, or with the button on the inside panel. Then I noticed my back door on the driver side not locking or unlocking with the key fob OR with the button on the inside panel. Both of these locks are now manual only. And the front passenger door lock only works sometimes, so I imagine it will stop working altogether soon as well. This puts the safety of my belongings, myself, and my children at risk. I don't know how long this had been happening before I noticed it, so I very easily could have been unknowingly leaving my car unlocked all over town. I am unable to enter my car quickly because I have to take the key fob apart and use the manual key to enter the driver door, and then my son has to wait for me to manually unlock his door before he can get in. My daughter sits on the other side so he can't just switch to the side that works. Well he could but then my daughter would have the same issue. If it was an emergency situation and we had to get into the car quickly it's just not possible. Also in traffic or in parking lots when we are inside the car I feel like we are left vulnerable with the doors unlocked and I can't lock them without reaching and manually doing this for each door. Which I do, but shouldn't have to. A quick internet search has made it clear that I am FAR from the first person this has happened to with these vehicles. It is clearly an extremely common issue with Highlanders and other Toyota vehicles and it 100% should be a recall.

Filed Mar 19, 2021 · Body · 70,000 miles · OH

[xxx]. 2015 toyota highlander, 70,000 miles. While parked, vehicle was stationary. Driver side door will not open from outside when unlocked via keyfob or the manual key. Occurred several times with 2 different key fobs on several occasions this month. Opens fine from the inside after crawling across the seats to activate door latch from inside handle. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 17, 2020 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · OH

Door actuators on both rear passenger doors have stopped working. Door locks do not respond to power door lock switch nor the key fobs.

Filed Jul 28, 2019 · Electrical · 60,200 miles · MD

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.

Filed Feb 18, 2018 · Electrical · 37,000 miles · SC

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.