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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.

About this comparison →

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

Service Brakes complaints

28 reports
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58,000 miles · Mar 15, 2020
Service BrakesStructureUnknown Or OtherCrash

WHILE DRIVING IN A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH I HAD MY WINDOW WIPERS ON DUE TO SOME POLLEN ON MY WINDSHIELD. WHILE WINDOW WIPERS WERE ENGAGED I APPROACH A DOWNWARD HILL AND HIT NOTING BUT SUN GLARE BLINDING ME I PUT MY BRAKES ON BUT BY THAT TIME MY SUV SLAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM…

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WHILE DRIVING IN A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH I HAD MY WINDOW WIPERS ON DUE TO SOME POLLEN ON MY WINDSHIELD. WHILE WINDOW WIPERS WERE ENGAGED I APPROACH A DOWNWARD HILL AND HIT NOTING BUT SUN GLARE BLINDING ME I PUT MY BRAKES ON BUT BY THAT TIME MY SUV SLAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE

NHTSA ODI #11318183

15,000 miles · Feb 20, 2019
Service Brakes

SINCE IT HAS BECOME COLDER IN THE MIDWEST AROUND NOVEMBER 2018, I CAN HEAR A CLUNK OR A 'THUNK' KIND OF SOUND WHEN I MAKE A COMPLETE STOP OR PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE BACK, THE AREA WHERE THE BRAKES ARE, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THIS IS IN MY 2017 HIGHLANDER AWD XLE. I HAVE ADDRESSED IT WITH AN AU…

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SINCE IT HAS BECOME COLDER IN THE MIDWEST AROUND NOVEMBER 2018, I CAN HEAR A CLUNK OR A 'THUNK' KIND OF SOUND WHEN I MAKE A COMPLETE STOP OR PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE BACK, THE AREA WHERE THE BRAKES ARE, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THIS IS IN MY 2017 HIGHLANDER AWD XLE. I HAVE ADDRESSED IT WITH AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA SERVICE DEALER MANY TIMES BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN 'FOUND' BY THEM. THEY ADJUSTED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOES AND LUBRICATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PARTS, BUT NOTHING HAS FIXED IT. THE SOUND KEEPS COMING BACK. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS. THE CASE IS NOW CLOSED DUE TO THE SERVICE DEALER STATING THE SOUND IS NOT A 'DEFECT' AND THEY HAVE TO BASICALLY WAIT FOR MORE COMPLAINTS TO TAKE ANY ACTION. I CAN HEAR THIS SOUND ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 30+ TIMES A DAY WHEN I DRIVE AROUND IN A CITY AND SUBURBAN SETTING, WHERE I AM STOPPING AT MANY STOP SIGNS AND RED LIGHTS. IT IS LOUD ENOUGH TO HEAR OVER SOME LOW TO MEDIUM LOUD MUSIC PLAYING. IT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGING. I AM WORRIED THE BRAKES WILL FAIL OR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL ENGAGE WITHOUT ME SETTING IT. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME MOST OF THE TIME. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #11181307

14,500 miles · Nov 1, 2018
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash

TAKATA RECALL. STRANGE NOISES AND FLASH GREEN LIGHT APPEAR ON DISPLAY, AFTER 1/4 MILES FROM PARKING LOT, THE CAR SPEED UP BY ITSELF, THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) IS NOT WORKING, BRAKE ASSIST IS FAILED, THE DRIVER CANNOT MANUALLY BRAKES THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11144703

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

2,000 miles · Jan 25, 2018
Service Brakes

I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING MY 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I AM TRYING TO USE THE HIGHLANDER'S ADVERTISED ABILITY TO TOW A SMALL RV TRAILER (UNDER 5000LBS). TOYOTA AGREES THIS REQUIRES INSTALLATION OF A BRAKE CONTROLLER IN THE HIGHLANDER AND ELECTRIC BRAKES ON THE RV TRAILER. I INSTALLED A BRAKE CONTROLLER FOLLOWING STANDARD…

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I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING MY 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I AM TRYING TO USE THE HIGHLANDER'S ADVERTISED ABILITY TO TOW A SMALL RV TRAILER (UNDER 5000LBS). TOYOTA AGREES THIS REQUIRES INSTALLATION OF A BRAKE CONTROLLER IN THE HIGHLANDER AND ELECTRIC BRAKES ON THE RV TRAILER. I INSTALLED A BRAKE CONTROLLER FOLLOWING STANDARD INDUSTRY PRACTICES. WHEN THE MANUAL BRAKE SWITCH IS THEN APPLIED, MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DISPLAYS "PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WARNING MESSAGE EVEN IF THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM IS TURNED-OFF. (NOTE: THIS ISSUE ONLY OCCURS IN 2017 AND 2018 HIGHLANDERS SINCE EARLIER VERSIONS DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM). I BELIEVE THAT THE BURDEN SHOULD BE ON TOYOTA TO PROVIDE PROPER INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE DESPITE MY REPEATED LETTERS TO TOYOTA. I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY TOYOTA ON THIS ISSUE, SOME FOLKS (AS NOTED ON INTERNET HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/333-HIGHLANDER-3RD-GENERATION-2014/1509914-7-PIN-WIRING-HARNESS-2017-HIGHLANDER-LIMITED.HTML) ARE INSERTING A DIODE TO PREVENT THEIR BRAKE CONTROLLER FROM DRIVING POWER BACK ONTO THE BRAKE SENSE LINE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE "PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WARNING MESSAGE. THIS ALSO PREVENTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON BOTH THE TOW VEHICLE AND TRAILER FROM BEING LIT WHEN THE TRAILER BRAKES ARE MANUALLY APPLIED. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNSAFE. THE ABILITY TO APPLY THE TRAILER BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY OF THE TOW VEHICLE BRAKES (I.E. THE MANUAL OVERRIDE CAPABILITY) IS A SAFETY FEATURE FOR REDUCING TRAILER SWAY WHICH CAN OCCUR IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. FURTHERMORE, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE MANUAL OVERRIDE CAPABILITY IS REQUIRED BY LAW IN CALIFORNIA. TOYOTA NEEDS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE SINCE ONLY THEY HAVE THE DETAILED KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO DEVELOP A SOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #11064838

14,000 miles · Dec 10, 2017
Service Brakes

I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA IN MARCH. LAST NITE WAS OUR FIRST STORM OF THE YEAR. I LIVE IN SALEM,NH AND WE HAD MAYBE 2-3 INCHES OF SNOW. I WAS DRIVING HOME AND WENT OFF THE ROAD TWICE. I TRIED PUMPING BRAKES AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THIS SUV I COULD NOT STOP. IT WAS NOT DEEP SNOW. I FEEL SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH …

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I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA IN MARCH. LAST NITE WAS OUR FIRST STORM OF THE YEAR. I LIVE IN SALEM,NH AND WE HAD MAYBE 2-3 INCHES OF SNOW. I WAS DRIVING HOME AND WENT OFF THE ROAD TWICE. I TRIED PUMPING BRAKES AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THIS SUV I COULD NOT STOP. IT WAS NOT DEEP SNOW. I FEEL SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 25 MPH AND MY SUV WENT OFF ROAD AND I NARROWLY MISSED A TELEPHONE POLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN SUV THAT DROVE THIS BADLY. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, MY HUSBAND EVEN DROVE AFTER I WENT OFF ROAD AND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE CAR SLID ALL OVER ROAD TOO. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS IN THIS TYPE OF WEATHER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR SAFETY FEATURES AND NOW I AM IN FEAR OF MY LIFE IN SNOW. HELP ME PLEASE.

NHTSA ODI #11053794

2,600 miles · Nov 27, 2017
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash

WE WERE IN A THANKSGIVING DAY RELATED TOUCH N GO TRAFFIC ON A NORMAL STREET, WHICH ENTERS INTO A MALL. ALL OF US ARE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, CAR AHEAD OF US JUST STARTED MOVING AND WE FOLLOWED AFTER ALLOWING A SAFE DISTANCE, THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR AHEAD OF US STOPPED, SO I TRIED STOPPING QUICKLY, BUT THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC COLLISION…

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WE WERE IN A THANKSGIVING DAY RELATED TOUCH N GO TRAFFIC ON A NORMAL STREET, WHICH ENTERS INTO A MALL. ALL OF US ARE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, CAR AHEAD OF US JUST STARTED MOVING AND WE FOLLOWED AFTER ALLOWING A SAFE DISTANCE, THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR AHEAD OF US STOPPED, SO I TRIED STOPPING QUICKLY, BUT THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC COLLISION AVOIDANCE KICKED IN AND TOOK CONTROL OF MY BRAKES, BUT IT STILL DIDNT STOP, I WAS TRYING TO STOP, BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. ENDED UP REAR-ENDING CAR INFRONT OF ME. THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS SAFETY FEATURE WAS TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM REAR ENDING OTHER CARS IN DAY-TO-DAY TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. ALSO OUR SPEED WAS NOT MORE THAN 20 MPH, WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, ALMOST INSTANTLY I REALIZED I HAVE TO STOP AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, TRIED BRAKING, BUT CAR KEPT ROLLING FORWARD. THIS IS JUST 4 MONTH OLD CAR WITH 2500 MILES ON IT. WAITING TO SEE HOW TOYOTA HANDLES MY CASE, IN THE MEANTIME, INSURANCE THINKS I AM AT FAULT AND STARTED THE CLAIM, COVERING THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED A "BRAKE" MESSAGE IN RED COLOR, WHICH IS TRUE, IT IDENTIFIED A COLLISION, BUT DIDNT STOP. IMO STOPPING IS MORE IMPORTANT! THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO CAR INFRONT OF ME, MY CAR HAD SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO GRILLS AND FRONT BUMPER AREA.

NHTSA ODI #11048751

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2017
Service Brakes

2017 TOYOTA HIGLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. DUE TO THE FAILURE THE CONSUMER HAS RAN INTO A HANDICAP SIGN, LAWN TRACTOR AND WHEELBARROW. THE COLLISIONS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, NUMBER PLAT…

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2017 TOYOTA HIGLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. DUE TO THE FAILURE THE CONSUMER HAS RAN INTO A HANDICAP SIGN, LAWN TRACTOR AND WHEELBARROW. THE COLLISIONS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, NUMBER PLATE AND NUMBER PLATE COVER. ALSO, CAUSED DEEP SCRATCHES TOT HE LEFT LOWER PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED UPDATED 09/28/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11023208

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.