2015 Toyota Highlander Exterior lighting Problems

Exterior lights continually burn out.

NHTSA ID

11725966

Incident

Mar 18, 2026

I have replaced several day light running lights /low beam bulbs. Approximately every 6-9 months since I purchased the vehicle in December of 2014.

NHTSA ID

11528425

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

The rear tail gate seal for lamps on both the left and right side have failed and the lamp assemblies condense and fill with water. I have read other reports on your website of the same problem with the highlander. In your other reports the a person was told Toyota will not warranty the lamps because of moisture in them because it is not a safety issue. While it is because the moisture blocks the light for the vehicle behind to see and thus rear end. I live in Massachusetts and there is a yearly vehicle inspection and when I went to get it done I was told it would not pass safety inspection with moisture in the lamp so I had to get the left hand one replaced to pass. Now 6 months later my righthand tailgate lamp is full of moisture and will not pass my upcoming Massachusetts safety inspection. The cost was $205.44 now another of the same. It is definitely a safety issue in Massachusetts and in my opinin should also be treated as such by the NHTSA for Toyota recall and reimbursement.

NHTSA ID

11521847

Incident

Nov 15, 2022

Rear tail lamps on lift gate both sides have failed seals that allow moisture to condense inside the lens. This occurs to the point the water collects inside the lens and obstructs the emission of light when the brake pedal is depressed. Several reports of this happening can be found with a simple online search for the issue. The Manufacturer (Toyota) has to be aware of the defect in manufacturing process or design by the shear number of occurrences, yet they deny any responsibility in repair or replacement costs. The issue was first noticed at 4 years of age and around 45,000 miles. This need to be reviewed and addressed as a matter of maintaining basic safety.

NHTSA ID

11490085

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

REAR BRAKE LIGHT SEALS FAILING ALLOWING WATER INTO LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT HOUSINGS. WHEN I ASKED DEALER ABOUT REPLACEMENT THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER SAFETY WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11363921

Incident

Oct 12, 2020

CONDENSATION AND LIQUID/WATER IN REAR EXTERIOR LIGHTS. LIGHTS OR SEALS WARP WITH CONTACT TO HEAT MANUFACTURERS DEFECTS

NHTSA ID

11317809

Incident

Mar 12, 2020

IN 2017 I HAD MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR INNER LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO CONDENSATION AND NOW 2019 I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE INNER LIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO CONDENSATION TO THE COST OF $235. TOYOTA BODYWORK SHOULD HOLD UP BETTER THAN THAT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED.

NHTSA ID

11202557

Incident

Apr 19, 2019

Mileage

48,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SIDE MARKERS AND HEADLIGHTS RETAINED WATER. IN ADDITION, WHEN PARKING AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOUD UNKNOWN NOISE OCCURRED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 19550 NORDHOFF ST, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324, (833) 650-5833) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE HEADLIGHTS DUE TO FAULTY SEALS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,665.

NHTSA ID

11171716

Incident

Nov 14, 2018

Mileage

45,665 mi

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS (LEFT & RIGHT) SHOW HEAVY CONDENSATION THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LIGHTS WEARING OUT EARLY OR CLOUD VISION OF MOTORISTS DRIVING BEHIND ME. THERE IS PROBABLY A POTENTIAL SEAL ISSUE OR LEAKAGE IN THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY THAT LEADS TO THIS. SHOWED IT TO DEALER AND GOT A QUOTE OF ~$900 TO REPAIR/REPLACE. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE SEAL MIGHT BE BROKEN OR LEAKING AS NOTICE DAMPNESS OR SMALL WATER ACCUMULATION IN TRUNK AFTER RAIN.

NHTSA ID

11152461

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED--3 OR 4 OUNCES OF WATER HAS ACCUMULATED IN BOTH OF MY TAIL LIGHTS (THAT CONTROL BRAKE LIGHTS AND BACKUP LIGHTS) THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE HATCH OF MY TAIL GATE. THIS CAUSES A GREAT DEAL OF CONDENSATION TO CLOUD REAR BRAKE AND BACKUP LIGHTS. WHEN THE TAIL GATE IS LIFTED THE 3 OR 4 OUNCES OF WATER THAT HAS ACCUMULATED COMES CLOSE TO OVERFLOWING INTO TAIL LIGHT BULB AREAS WHICH I AM AFRAID WILL SOON DISABLE THOSE LIGHTS AND FAIL TO WARN OTHERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING OR STOPPED WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD CAUSE THE DAMAGE. LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP NOTICED CONDENSATION IN RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT ON 22 MARCH 2018 AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING TAIL LIGHT AT A COST OF $330. THEY DID NOT NOTICE A PROBLEM IN RIGHT TAIL LIGHT. IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE NOTICED WATER ACCUMULATION AND CONDENSATION IN LEFT TAIL LIGHT. FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN LEFT TAIL LIGHT, THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WAS FINE. AFTER THE NEXT RAINSTORM 3 TO 4 OUNCES OF WATER HAS ACCUMULATED IN BOTH TAIL LIGHTS--THE WATER AND CONDENSATION STILL REMAIN. I HAVE ATTACHED THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS; --CONDENSATION IN BOTH TAIL LIGHTS (PICTURES 8598 AND 0928) --3 TO 4 OUNCES OF WATER ACCUMULATION INSIDE BOTH TAIL LIGHTS--PICTURES (2140 AND 7546) SHOW WATER IN OUTER LOWER CORNERS OF TAIL LIGHTS WHEN THE LIFT GATE IS RAISED.

NHTSA ID

11103710

Incident

Jun 19, 2018

Mileage

26,000 mi