2015 Highlander AWD error and car won't start

Hi - this EXACT same thing happened to me on my 2015 Highlander. We called the dealership and they had it towed. After working on it they identified that it needed a new battery and new battery cables. I wish I had known that before having it towed. It was so odd because the radio worked, the headlights worked, the inside lights worked . . . so like you I assessed it had power but apparently not enough power for it to start. They replaced the battery and cables and it is working fine. Hope this helps someone else!

Just happen to my 2015 Highlander xle AWD,....I went to Walmart to replace the battery with Everstart Max branded battery that is warranted for 5 yrs. The highlander started right back up.

Has anyone been through 3 batteries on a 2015 Highlander? My mom’s car is in her 3rd. Parasitic loss? I’ve read the A/C relay may be at fault. All I’m seeing is to replace the battery. That is NOT the problem. Toyota says she needs to drive it daily. That’s BS.

I just experienced the same thing on my 2015 Toyota. Came out of work at 11:30 PM. Pressed the start button., heard a funny sound. It said check AWD. Left the car in the parking lot. Will have it checked tomorrow.

Thanks for the information, I did not get it towed. I will get a mechanic to look at it. I got the car serviced a few days ago.

Same thing happened to my 2014 Highlander. I disconnected the battery and connected it back and it started no problem. The next day the car did the same thing and wouldn't start. I will change the battery and keep you posted.

I changed the battery and everything is fine now.

Same thing happened to me twice. First time changed battery then a few days later happened again. This time all lights and everything worked but it would not start no matter how many times hit brake and button. Had it towed to Toyota. They say nothing wrong with it. Really 2 times in a week randomly will not start. They said maybe steering wheel in weird position to not start. That is stupid. Planning to sell it quickly before stranded for a 3rd time

Thank you! I had that issue with the horrible clicking sound and all the inside electrical systems working. i was afraid if was a costly electrical or other issue. I found this post and tried jumping it and it worked. Got my battery replaced yesterday for less than what it would have cost to tow it. THANK YOU!

My 2016 Highlander XLE would not start about a week ago. It had a clicking sound but the engine was not turning over. I called AAA and when the truck arrived 45 min. later, the car started right up so we did nothing and it started up fine for a week. But today it happened again. I found this string on cargurus and called AAA. My battery is 5 years old and still tested at about 50% capacity. AAA cleaned off the cables (which appear to be fine) and sold me a new, better battery. It starts up fine now and I have to assume that battery was the problem even though it was far from dead. Good to know. Thank you all for the information.

Sorry, I said Toyota Highlander 16 above. It is a 2015.

Similar issues with my 2015. Twice in about 3 months, we've gone out in the morning and the vehicle won't start. Like a dead battery. We've jumped it and taken it to the Toyota dealer both times. They tell us we left something turned on - the battery tests fine. I'm checking to see how old it is - probably around 3 years old.

Had the same issue with my 2015 Highlander XLE. After getting back home (~3F) and letting it sit in the garage for 10 mins, it wouldn't start. Panel started showing error about AWD. But could hear the typical battery unable to start the car sound. Replaced it with a battery from Costco. Followed this video and replacement was done in 10 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUb_iydXPzc