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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

Structure complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2025
Structure

The paint on the hood is flaking off. There is no reason other than the paint being defective for this to happen in this manner. We just noticed it today. 11/14/25

NHTSA ODI #11699455

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2023
Structure

This 2017 Highlander Blizzard Pearl White paint is defective on the drivers side door. Paint started to bubble in 2021 then peeled off with rust stains underneath due to water damage. It appears that there is no sealant on the door for the paint to adhere so it continues to peel and rust. A defective paint job on this vehicle…

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This 2017 Highlander Blizzard Pearl White paint is defective on the drivers side door. Paint started to bubble in 2021 then peeled off with rust stains underneath due to water damage. It appears that there is no sealant on the door for the paint to adhere so it continues to peel and rust. A defective paint job on this vehicle when manufactured. Please have Toyota take responsibility for their irresponsible paint job on this door. The vehicle has never been in an accident or hit with anything on the drivers side of the door. They need to correct their incomplete and incompetent painting. There seems to be no sealant underneath for the paint to adhere to. Please address this error.

NHTSA ODI #11559801

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2021
Structure

Paint delaminating, corrosion risk, could lead to failure of hinges if progressed.

NHTSA ODI #11427535

35,000 miles · Mar 5, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. NOTHING HIT ME. JUST A LOAD EXPLOSION. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS BULGING UPWARD, WITH A BIG HOLE IN IT.

NHTSA ODI #11399445

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

20,380 miles · Aug 27, 2019
Exterior LightingStructureSuspension

IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, THE REAR LIGHT COVERS STICK OUT ABOUT 3 INCHES, THE EDGES ARE AS SHARP AS A KEEN KNIFE (PHOTOS ATTACHED). WHEN I UNLOAD STUFF FROM THE TRUNK, IT OFTEN HURTS ME. I HAVE TRIED TO BE VERY CAREFUL. I ALSO REMINDED MY TEENAGE SON WITH CAUTION. HOWEVER, IT STICKS OUT TOO MUCH AND IS TOO SHARP. IT IS HARD TO AV…

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IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, THE REAR LIGHT COVERS STICK OUT ABOUT 3 INCHES, THE EDGES ARE AS SHARP AS A KEEN KNIFE (PHOTOS ATTACHED). WHEN I UNLOAD STUFF FROM THE TRUNK, IT OFTEN HURTS ME. I HAVE TRIED TO BE VERY CAREFUL. I ALSO REMINDED MY TEENAGE SON WITH CAUTION. HOWEVER, IT STICKS OUT TOO MUCH AND IS TOO SHARP. IT IS HARD TO AVOID. IT KEEPS HURTING. FOR EXAMPLE, THREE MONTHS AGO, ON AN EVENING IT WAS DARK AND RAINING, AT A COSTCO PARKING LOT, WHEN I UPLOADED GROCERIES ONTO THE CAR, MY RIGHT ARM AND JOINT WERE SUDDENLY HIT BY THIS SHARP CUTTING EDGE OF THE REAR LIGHT COVER. THE KEEN EDGE CUT MY ARM, AND THE STICK OUT PART BADLY HURT MY JOINT (PHOTOS ATTACHED). I COULD NOT RAISE MY ARM. THREE MONTHS HAVE PASSED; HOWEVER, MY JOINT IS STILL PAINING. I WENT TO JIM COLEMAN DEALER AND POINTED OUT THE DANGER PART IN THE REAR. I HAD THEIR MANAGERS AND STAFF TO FEEL BY PUTTING THEIR HANDS ON THE KEEN EDGE. THEY ALL ADMITTED IT IS BAD DESIGN AND EASY TO INJURE PEOPLE. BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ASKED IF THEY COULD REPORT INCIDENTS/CASES TO MANUFACTURERS, AND HAVE IT IMPROVED. THEY SAID THEY SELL CARS ONLY. I RANDOMLY TOOK PHOTOS OF OTHER MADE OF CARS (PHOTOS ATTACHED). NONE OF THEM STICK OUT A KNIFE LIKES HIGHLANDER. IT IS A NIGHTMARE WHEN USING THIS HIGHLANDER DAILY.

NHTSA ODI #11246740

20,000 miles · Feb 12, 2019
EnginePower TrainStructureCrash

I STOPPED AT MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE TO GIVE HER SOMETHING,I LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN I WENT IN TO HER HOUSE AS SOON AS I WENT INTO HER HOUSE I HEARD A NOISE LOOKED OUT AND COULDN'T SEE THE CAR,I WENT OUT SIDE AND THE CAR HAD JUMPED IN TO GEAR AND WENT INTO HER GARAGE ( THE DOOR WAS OPEN) THE CAR HIT HER BIKE,GOLF CLUBS THERE WA…

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I STOPPED AT MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE TO GIVE HER SOMETHING,I LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN I WENT IN TO HER HOUSE AS SOON AS I WENT INTO HER HOUSE I HEARD A NOISE LOOKED OUT AND COULDN'T SEE THE CAR,I WENT OUT SIDE AND THE CAR HAD JUMPED IN TO GEAR AND WENT INTO HER GARAGE ( THE DOOR WAS OPEN) THE CAR HIT HER BIKE,GOLF CLUBS THERE WAS A 2X4 ON A CHAIR THE CAR HIT THE 2X4 AND THEN THE OTHER END OF THE 2X4 HIT HER WASHING MACHINE WITCH STOPPED THE CAR.THE DOOR WAS LOCKED SO I WENT HOME (3 HOUSES FROM HER HOUSE) TO GET THE OTHER SET OF KEYS THE CAR STILL WOULDN'T UNLOCK SO I USED THE THE KEY THAT IS IN THE REMOTE CONTROL TO UNLOCK IT AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF.I CAN'T BELIEVE THE CAR LOCKED BECAUSE THE KEYS WERE IN MY PURSE THAT WAS IN THE CAR.THE 2X4 WENT INTO THE ENGINE AND A TOW TRUCK HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE.I CAN'T BELIEVE THE CAR JUMPED INTO GEAR AND MOVED ON ITS OWN. AT ONE TIME WHEN WE HAD AND OIL CHANGE MY HUSBAND TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN GEAR THE CAR WOULD MAKE A CLUNK NOISE AND HE SAID THEY ALL DO THAT. MAYBE THEY DO BUT I WOULDN'T THINK SO AFTER WHAT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11176510

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2018
Structure

VEHICLE DESIGN DOES NOT INCLUDE FRONT RECOVERY HOOK(S) NOR ANY SECURE LATCH POINT TO TOW THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE (?) SUGGESTED USING THE FLAT BED TIGHT DOWN HOOKS AT MID-VEHICLE, HOWEVER THIS APPROACH WOULD NOT BE SAFE NOR REASONABLE IN AN EMERGENC…

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VEHICLE DESIGN DOES NOT INCLUDE FRONT RECOVERY HOOK(S) NOR ANY SECURE LATCH POINT TO TOW THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE (?) SUGGESTED USING THE FLAT BED TIGHT DOWN HOOKS AT MID-VEHICLE, HOWEVER THIS APPROACH WOULD NOT BE SAFE NOR REASONABLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE (?) IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO SAFELY ADDRESS THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #11083137

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.