2017 Toyota Highlander Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Highlander years
- More complaints than other years 8th of 30 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Toyota Highlander. That ranks 8th out of 30 Highlander model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (76 complaints, 28%), typically at around 20,000 miles. Complaints mention 18 crashes, 2 fires, 26 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 270owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 18complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2017 Toyota Highlander problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 76 | 28% | 20,000 | “support program” (9%) | $9,000 |
| Unknown or Other | 53 | 20% | 18,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 47 | 17% | 20,400 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 46 | 17% | 35,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 28 | 10% | 9,800 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 28 | 10% | 14,750 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 5% | 14,680 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 12 | 4% | 6,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 9 | 3% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 | 3% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 3% | 27,690 | — | — |
| Wheels | 6 | 2% | 38,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 1% | 12,190 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 4 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 1% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 1% | 106,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 1% | 43,940 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 1% | 37,516 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 1% | 8,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 1% | 36,400 | — | — |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% | 1,000 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 1% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 1% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 0% | 39,460 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2017 Toyota Highlander recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment
Problem: 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.
Risk: The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
Problem: 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.
Risk: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Transmission failure after whining noise, taken to Toyota multiple times with no diagnosis. Today was informed the transmission is failing by another mechanic. 193,000 miles.
2017 UA80F AWD Toyota Highlander Transmission Failure at 145,000 miles with regular maintenance. Starts off delayed shifting and jerking when accelerating, accompanied with faint whistle/whirring sound from under the dash. with Transmission falls under the Toyota Customer Support Program ZJC TSB…
Our Toyota Highlander XLE which has 137000 miles on it has the very well documented "whine" issue with the UA80 transmission. This "whine" issue/failure has resulted in at least two TSB's to be generated by Toyota and is considered the beginning stages of a total transmission failure. It impacts…
The transmission had to be replaced. A warning message was displayed and we took the vehicle in and were told the transmission had to be replaced. Toyota Highlander transmission problems are most prominently reported in 2020â2022 V6 gas models using the UA80E 8-speed automatic transmission, as…
customer support program ;; ZJC....Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, , in the subject vehicles that are equipped with a model UA80 transmission. There is a possibility that a washer tab…
Other Toyota Highlander years
← 2016 Highlander · 2018 Highlander →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Highlander | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 Highlander | 10 | 4 |
| 2024 Highlander | 43 | 7 |
| 2023 Highlander | 186 | 9 |
| 2022 Highlander | 262 | 5 |
| 2021 Highlander | 531 | 4 |
| 2020 Highlander | 320 | 4 |
| 2019 Highlander | 492 | 3 |
| 2018 Highlander | 268 | 4 |
| 2017 | 270 | 3 |
| 2016 Highlander | 111 | 2 |
| 2015 Highlander | 192 | 1 |
| 2014 Highlander | 136 | 4 |
| 2013 Highlander | 207 | 3 |
| 2012 Highlander | 182 | 2 |
| 2011 Highlander | 181 | 5 |
| 2010 Highlander | 216 | 10 |
| 2009 Highlander | 134 | 9 |
| 2008 Highlander | 404 | 11 |
| 2007 Highlander | 124 | 4 |
| 2006 Highlander | 278 | 7 |
| 2005 Highlander | 224 | 6 |
| 2004 Highlander | 286 | 5 |
| 2003 Highlander | 258 | 2 |
| 2002 Highlander | 301 | 2 |
| 2001 Highlander | 137 | 3 |
| 2000 Highlander | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 Highlander | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 Highlander | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 Highlander | 1 | 0 |
See all Toyota Highlander problems by year, every Toyota model, or the Toyota VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
Owners most often report power train, unknown or other, engine problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 76 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2017 Toyota Highlander a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Highlander model years, the 2017 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.