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2017 Toyota Highlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota Highlander do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

123 reports with mileage · 142 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

265 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2025
Visibility/wiper

Driver side interior visor has failed and does not secure in place causing obstruction of view while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11656682

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2025
Power Train

My 2017 Highlander XLE AWD had complete transmission failure at 106,000 miles. Toyota has an extended coverage warranty for this but according to them my VIN number was not included even though it failed for the same reason as the recalled transmissions. Loud whining started around 100,000 miles on acceleration around 30mph and …

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My 2017 Highlander XLE AWD had complete transmission failure at 106,000 miles. Toyota has an extended coverage warranty for this but according to them my VIN number was not included even though it failed for the same reason as the recalled transmissions. Loud whining started around 100,000 miles on acceleration around 30mph and continued to get louder. From a dead stop it is very slow to accelerate and misses 3rd gear and jerks. There is a TSB out on this and the extended customer satisfaction extended warranty ZJC but they refuse to cover. I was also told by Toyota corporate that even if my VIN was affected they would not cover due to all maintenance not being done at a toyota dealership. I am the 4th owner and should not be penalized for this. My case number with Toyota is Toyota Brand Engagement Center Case 250416002071

NHTSA ODI #11655847

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2025
Power Train

Known issue with the transmission assembly that results in a whining noise and eventually hard shifting and transmission failure. Known issue acknowledged by Toyota across this model and date, but they seemingly are only addressing some vehicles - and not others - with said known issue.

NHTSA ODI #11652259

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2025
Power Train

Transmission failure requiring replacement. Known pattern failure from Toyota. Customer support program from Toyota does not cover all affected vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11645297

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2025
Electrical SystemService Brakes

With 22k miles on vehicle, car won’t start due to Brake power low fault. Battery was replaced in attempt to rectify problem with no success, vehicle will need to be towed in for repair.

NHTSA ODI #11644883

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2025
Power Train

Transmission intermittently allows the RPMs to double from 2,000 to 4,000 RPMs. It occasionally displays trouble codes, and exhibits a grinding, whirring noise. An Independent transmission shop confirms that it needs to be replaced. Toyota has issued a recall referred to as Customer Support Program ZJC, but their representatives…

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Transmission intermittently allows the RPMs to double from 2,000 to 4,000 RPMs. It occasionally displays trouble codes, and exhibits a grinding, whirring noise. An Independent transmission shop confirms that it needs to be replaced. Toyota has issued a recall referred to as Customer Support Program ZJC, but their representatives claim that our vehicle does not qualify, even though the date and model of the transmission clearly Falla under their parameters.

NHTSA ODI #11634551

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2025
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

Toyota manufacturing issue-fuel line is manufactured incorrectly-had gas seeping into cab of vehicle and tailpipe. Severe safety issue Steering wheel/column sticks and almost lose control when driving due to a worn out coupler-poor design and manufacturing.

NHTSA ODI #11634540

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2024
Visibility

Side mirror (glass) shakes/rattles at speeds over 45mph. This affects the visibility of things in the mirror as well as becomes distracting to the driver. When on the interstate with smooth pavement it's impossible to ignore... It's just more noticeable then. Tried moving the mirror to verify and yes, it's loose. Just reportin…

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Side mirror (glass) shakes/rattles at speeds over 45mph. This affects the visibility of things in the mirror as well as becomes distracting to the driver. When on the interstate with smooth pavement it's impossible to ignore... It's just more noticeable then. Tried moving the mirror to verify and yes, it's loose. Just reporting it now that I became aware of this website but car has had this issue for at least 2 years.

NHTSA ODI #11627860

110,000 miles · Nov 15, 2024
Fuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with several warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that an image with the brake pedal depressed was displayed. The contact was informed by his wife that the vehicle then stall…

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The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with several warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that an image with the brake pedal depressed was displayed. The contact was informed by his wife that the vehicle then stalled. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle and assistance was provided to push the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The driver was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11625513

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2024
Electrical System

As the electronic back hitch was closing, I pressed the Start Engine button and the vehicle dashboard lit up but would not start. Then I pressed the button again and it said the Ignition is On. Pressed again to shut off. Vehicle made a bunch of clicking noises but would not start. Disconnected battery to “re boot” electrical…

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As the electronic back hitch was closing, I pressed the Start Engine button and the vehicle dashboard lit up but would not start. Then I pressed the button again and it said the Ignition is On. Pressed again to shut off. Vehicle made a bunch of clicking noises but would not start. Disconnected battery to “re boot” electrical system… but a charger on battery and then the vehicle started. BUT the ! And Check Engine light was now on… saying take to your dealer… Check AWD. Drove vehicle at lunch time… and warning light and check engine light just went off! So weird!

NHTSA ODI #11619648

Official recalls

3

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

17V520000 · Equipment

Aug 23, 2017

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2017 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles equipped with accessory roof rail cross bars. The fasteners for the roof rails may not be torqued properly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and properly torque the fasteners, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2017. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 17R3.

17V295000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

May 2, 2017

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.