ToyotaHighlander2015Overview/toyota/highlander/2015/base/

2015 Toyota Highlander

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Highlander.

Body SUV

The 2015 Toyota Highlander is an SUV that calls for 6.4 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil, a specification that underscores the manufacturer's focus on low-viscosity lubrication for its powertrain. Across the model's complaint history covering 1997 through 2026, the 2015 model year accumulated 186 owner complaints — significantly fewer than the 475 reported for the 2021 peak but well above the single complaint recorded for the 1997 launch — with the top complaint area categorized as "Unknown Or Other" and two recalls documented. This places the 2015 Highlander in the middle of the nameplate's reliability range, indicating a year that is neither the most nor least troubled but one that carries specific recall actions owners should verify.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S55D23DL · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI S55D23DL · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/55R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter1780131141 alt 178010P051
Fuel filter233000A020 alt 770240E080
Spark plug9091901247 alt 9091901233
Battery2880031293
Front wiper blades852120E050 alt 852220E050
Serpentine belt99367K0810 alt 90916A2020
Thermostat90916A3002 alt 90916A3003
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907020

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight4784 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Highlander of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2017 Hybrid Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014LE Plus 3.5L V67.10 sec15.40 sec270 hpFWD
2014XLE 3.5L V67.10 sec15.40 sec270 hpAWD
2014Limited 3.5L V67.30 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD
2014Hybrid Limited 3.5L V6 + Elec7.40 sec15.60 sec280 hpAWD
2014Hybrid Limited 3.5L V6 + Elec7.60 sec15.80 sec280 hpAWD
2017Hybrid Limited 3.5L V6 + Elec7.00 sec15.40 sec306 hpAWD
2017XLE 3.5L V67.00 sec15.60 sec295 hpAWD
2017SE 3.5L V67.20 sec15.50 sec295 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.4 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT3 · SAE J1704 · DOT4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.48-0.58
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 15 ft/lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15
Main Bearings16
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts36.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 217.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1300 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)850-950 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity27.2-30.6 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeDENSO ND-OIL 8
Oil Capacity4.56 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.81-2.03 lbs
Oil TypeND 11 Oil

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44-50 @ idle or fuel pump running psi
Residual Pressure21 After 5 min, engine off psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55-61 @ idle or fuel pump running psi
Residual Pressure21 After 5 min, engine off psi
Engine Compressionpsi 142-210 max variation 15 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 128-178 max variation 10 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 142-203
Engine Compressionpsi 109 - 145

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 20 /; Front: 25; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 77; Rear: 69 /; Front: 77; Rear: 70
ABS Sensor Torque5.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .984; Rear: .335
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0059
Maximum Drum DiameterParking brake 8.310

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

127.0 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
4Bolts 9-10 22 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 Toyota Highlander demonstrates moderate stability within the federal record, reporting 186 complaints and 2 recalls. This target year falls within a peak for Technical Service Bulletins (318), a trend that mirrors the high TSB volumes seen from 2013 to 2015 before they declined in later years. Compared to its immediate neighbors, the 2015 model has more complaints than 2014 (134) and 2016 (109), but significantly fewer than the spikes seen in 2019 (465) and 2021 (475). The primary complaint areas for 2015 are categorized as "Unknown Or Other" (31), electrical systems (23), and steering (19), with 17 crash and 6 fire complaints recorded. Given the very low recall count and the fact that complaints remain well below the generation's later highs, this is a good year to buy.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
318
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
186
Owner complaints
17 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 186 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other31
Electrical System23
Steering19
Structure15
Visibility/Wiper11
Exterior Lighting7
Vehicle Speed Control6
Power Train6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18E107000Electrical SystemReported 27/11/2018

Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may… Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began…

15V144000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 13/03/2015

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 318 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Highlander. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Highlander take?

6.4 qt of 0W-20 ILSAC GF-5 multigrade engine oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Highlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.