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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

Air Bags complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2026
Air BagsCrashInjury

On April 5, 2026, my 2017 Toyota Highlander was involved in a side‑impact (T‑bone) collision on the front & rear passenger side. I was seated in the front passenger seat. The impact was hard enough that my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. During the crash, I struck my head, but no airbags deployed (front, sid…

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On April 5, 2026, my 2017 Toyota Highlander was involved in a side‑impact (T‑bone) collision on the front & rear passenger side. I was seated in the front passenger seat. The impact was hard enough that my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. During the crash, I struck my head, but no airbags deployed (front, side, or curtain). The vehicle is being released to Liberty Mutual Insurance. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. I am concerned that the airbag/SRS system may not have functioned properly in a crash severe enough to total the vehicle and cause a head injury to a front passenger. I am requesting that NHTSA record this incident and consider whether there may be a safety defect related to side or curtain airbag non‑deployment in this vehicle. Crash date: April 5, 2026 Approximate speed of other vehicle: [unknown] Location of impact: front passenger side (T‑bone) Result: vehicle declared total loss, head injury to front passenger, no airbag deployment.

NHTSA ODI #11731086

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2025
Air Bags

My vehive has 122,000 miles...I recently received an airbag mafuction warning on the dash info system and to contact dealer. The dealer states this driver side airbag is now defective and needs to be replaced at a cost of $1100.00 The airbag has never been deployed. How is this noit covered under safety requirements on current v…

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My vehive has 122,000 miles...I recently received an airbag mafuction warning on the dash info system and to contact dealer. The dealer states this driver side airbag is now defective and needs to be replaced at a cost of $1100.00 The airbag has never been deployed. How is this noit covered under safety requirements on current vehicles? How do I know that the part was not defective when initally installed?

NHTSA ODI #11692150

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2024
Air Bags

I HAVE AN ISSUE WHEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP ON GOING IN AND OUT. I DID GET A LETTER FROM TOYOTA THAT SOME AIRBAGS IS RECALLED BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL AND THEY WONT TROUBLESHOOT IT WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY. NEED THIS LOOK AT THAT CAN CAUSE FATAL TO THERE CUSTOMERS…

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I HAVE AN ISSUE WHEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP ON GOING IN AND OUT. I DID GET A LETTER FROM TOYOTA THAT SOME AIRBAGS IS RECALLED BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL AND THEY WONT TROUBLESHOOT IT WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY. NEED THIS LOOK AT THAT CAN CAUSE FATAL TO THERE CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI #11568940

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2024
Air BagsCrashInjury

I had an accident on 1/14/24 and the airbags did not deploy. When we bought the vehicle from I-5 Toyota it had been in a previous accident and was repaired. I have a picture from the dash stating “ SRS air bag system malfunction” on the day of incident. The vehicle is being picked up by insurance 1/18/24 to be inspected. There w…

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I had an accident on 1/14/24 and the airbags did not deploy. When we bought the vehicle from I-5 Toyota it had been in a previous accident and was repaired. I have a picture from the dash stating “ SRS air bag system malfunction” on the day of incident. The vehicle is being picked up by insurance 1/18/24 to be inspected. There were no warnings prior to the accident.

NHTSA ODI #11566503

25,000 miles · Nov 20, 2019
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I TURNED MY CAR TO PARK IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT. I BELIEVE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, IT HAPPENED SO FAST, I AM NOT SURE. . ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN! IT SCARED THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME! SUDDENLY THE CAR JUMPED THROUGH A WOODEN FENCE AND OFF A FIVE FOOT DROP OFF TO THE STREET BELOW. I WAS LUCKY THE…

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I TURNED MY CAR TO PARK IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT. I BELIEVE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, IT HAPPENED SO FAST, I AM NOT SURE. . ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN! IT SCARED THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME! SUDDENLY THE CAR JUMPED THROUGH A WOODEN FENCE AND OFF A FIVE FOOT DROP OFF TO THE STREET BELOW. I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS A PILE OF GRAVEL TO STOP ME. I PUT IT INTO PARK.THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. I WAS NOT HURT. BUT I AM VERY STRESSED BY THE INCIDENT. IT WILL BE A MONTH BEFORE IT IS FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11281468

7,000 miles · Jun 7, 2019
Air BagsCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY THE LEFT SIDE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT RESPOND

NHTSA ODI #11218554

15,000 miles · Feb 9, 2019
Air Bags

STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG IS HOT WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11175926

10,000 miles · Jul 26, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER AND STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED LEG INJURIES AND TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER AND STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED LEG INJURIES AND THE REAR PASSENGER ALSO SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1806013647. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11113884

30,000 miles · Jul 11, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE DRIVER FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL. UPON WAKING UP, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE DRIVER FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL. UPON WAKING UP, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE STOMACH, HEAD, AND NECK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FOOT, CHEST, TONGUE, AND NECK INJURIES. THE FOUR REAR PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HEAD, LIPS, FEET, AND ARMS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED QUEENSBORO TOYOTA AT (718) 335-8600 (LOCATED AT 62-10 NORTHERN BLVD, WOODSIDE, NY 11377), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11110831

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.