2015 Toyota Highlander: engine failure

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2015 Toyota Highlander equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine developed an engine oil leak originating from the timing chain cover sealing area. On April 30, 2026, Kearny Mesa Toyota in San Diego, California, identified the leak during an inspection when the vehicle had a little over 100,000 miles. I am concerned that this condition may indicate premature failure of the timing chain cover sealing system and warrant investigation into a potential design or manufacturing defect. An engine sealing system should be sufficiently durable to prevent oil leakage under normal operating conditions. The occurrence of this problem at just over 100,000 miles raises concerns about the long-term reliability of this component and whether similar failures affect other vehicles equipped with the same engine. Although the leak was described as seepage or oily residue, it may worsen over time. Depending on its severity and location, leaking oil could contact hot engine or exhaust components, potentially causing smoke or creating a fire hazard. Continued oil loss could also compromise engine lubrication, lead to significant engine damage, or result in unexpected vehicle failure. These are potential safety risks associated with the condition, not claims that a fire or engine failure has already occurred. The oil leak was identified by a Toyota dealership during an inspection. The dealership’s diagnosis and related service records may be available for review upon request. Whether the manufacturer has formally investigated or acknowledged this condition as a defect is unknown. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency review this complaint alongside other reports involving timing chain cover oil leaks in 2015 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. I ask the agency to determine whether these reports indicate a recurring premature component failure, whether the condition presents an unreasonable safety risk, and whether further investigation or corrective action is warranted.

Filed Jul 21, 2024 · Engine · PA · fire

SPONTANEOUS VEHICLE FIRE: While driving approximately 20-30 miles per hour, with no other symptoms or advance warning signs, a message suddenly appeared on the dashboard saying "Engine Failure - Turn off Ignition". The temperature gauge was firmly in the normal range; the car had been inspected a few months prior, and had recently had routine maintenance. There was no indication that anything was amiss before this incident. 30 seconds after the sudden warning message appeared, smoke began pouring from the hood and I immediately pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle with my young daughter. The smoke continued and the entire front section of the vehicle quickly caught ablaze. Police and the fire department arrived on the scene to assist and extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed and determined to be a total loss by insurance. Our safety was put at risk because our vehicle spontaneously caught fire with no early warning signs; if we had been driving on a highway or a road without space to quickly stop the vehicle and safely exit, we would have certainly faced injury or possible death given the speed and ferocity with which the fire erupted. After we contacted Toyota several times, they sent an inspector to look at the vehicle, and reported: "The inspector observed extensive fire damage to the engine compartment and interior of the vehicle. The inspector also observed that there was no oil registered on the dipstick. There were no arc marks on the wiring in the engine compartment when inspected. The inspector did not observe any oil leaks when inspected. The battery hold down bracket was in the proper location. The cause of the fire was undetermined, and there was no evidence from the inspection to indicate that this incident was a result of a vehicle defect." Toyota has shown a complete lack of curiousity as to determining what could have caused the fire and has only focused on avoiding liability, thereby putting customer safety at risk.

Filed Jul 26, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · IL

I experienced a sudden engine failure while driving my 2015 Toyota Highlander on Interstate 294 outside Chicago. I was driving about 75 mph in the far left lane. A warning message "Check AWD" came on the screen, followed by the Engine icon lighting up, then a "TRAC off" message appeared on the screen. I began to merge to the right across four lanes of traffic to get to the shoulder. As I was doing so, a beep sounded, and the message "Engine Stopping" appeared on the screen. The accelerator stopped working. I reached the shoulder and the car came to a stop just as I made it to the shoulder. The whole incident, from the time the first warning light came on until the car completely stopped, lasted about three minutes. Prior to this, there were no warning lights, and I had been driving the car without incident. The car had received all regular maintenance at proper intervals. Mileage was 86,100 at the time. There were five people in the car, including myself, my teenage daughter, her friend, and her friend's parents. We were driving the girls home from a summer camp. We are unharmed -- and possibly alive -- only because I was able to merge across four lanes of traffic and reach the shoulder before the engine completely failed. Just behind us and just ahead of us on this stretch of interstate, there is no shoulder. Semi trucks populate this very busy road. We had to sit on the shoulder for two hours waiting for a tow truck. We are all truly fortunate to be alive and unharmed. The vehicle is in the possession of [XXX] Toyota, [XXX] . The service department has diagnosed as follows: "Performed diagnostic and found codes P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0306 engine misfire codes. Code P1603 Engine stalls out. P1604 Stability malfunction. Code P1605 Rough idle. Spark plug number 6 is damaged. Check piston with borescope, piston is also damaged." I am being advised to replace the engine at a cost of $8820. Toyota US has been notified. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Steering · 63,000 miles · CT

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, (860) 741-3761) 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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v144000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted on april 24. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000. The VIN was not available. *bf

Filed Jul 10, 2018 · Steering · 43,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 toyota highlander. While the contact's son was driving at an unknown speed, the steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v144000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to have it diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 13, 2015 · Steering · 38,040 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver when making a right or left turn. The eps warning light illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,040.