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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

What owners actually said

265 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2019
Power TrainInjury

ON SATURDAY APRIL 27 AT 2 PM I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND WAS GETTING OUT. THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND AS I WENT TO REACT WAS KNOCKED DOWN AND PINNED UNDER THE FRONT LEFT TIRE OF THE CAR. MY THREE CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK WATCHING THEIR MOTHER LYING ON THE GROUND HELPLESS AND SCREAMING FOR HELP. THANK GOD TO GOOD SAMARIT…

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ON SATURDAY APRIL 27 AT 2 PM I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND WAS GETTING OUT. THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND AS I WENT TO REACT WAS KNOCKED DOWN AND PINNED UNDER THE FRONT LEFT TIRE OF THE CAR. MY THREE CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK WATCHING THEIR MOTHER LYING ON THE GROUND HELPLESS AND SCREAMING FOR HELP. THANK GOD TO GOOD SAMARITAN'S THEY LIFTED THE CAR OFF OF ME WHILE I WAITED FOR THE EMS TO ARRIVE. SEVERAL WITNESSES SAID THE CAR WAS IN FACT IN PARK AND THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. I AM SEVERELY SORE AND INJURED AND THIS SHOULD NOT EVER HAPPEN. THIS HAPPENED ON HYLAN BLVD. PARTY CITY IN STATEN ISLAND NEW YORK.

NHTSA ODI #11204256

15,966 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE COFFEE CUP ICON DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUDSON TOYOTA (599 ROUTES 440 SOUTH, JERSEY CITY, NJ, 07305, (201)…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE COFFEE CUP ICON DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUDSON TOYOTA (599 ROUTES 440 SOUTH, JERSEY CITY, NJ, 07305, (201) 201-5483). THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, REPLACED THE ENGINE OIL, REPLACED THE FILTERS, AND ROTATED THE TIRES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A METAL FRAGMENT WAS LOCATED IN THE MOTOR AREA; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE METAL OBJECT THAT WAS LOCATED IN THE MOTOR. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,966.

NHTSA ODI #11203354

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

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

15,000 miles · Feb 9, 2019
Air Bags

STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG IS HOT WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11175926

27,800 miles · Feb 3, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE WITH DYNAMIC SPEED CONTROL ON. THE CAR SLOWED APPROPRIATELY TO MATCH THE SPEED OF THE THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. SUDDENLY SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES APPEARED: MASTER WARNING LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE, CHECK AWD, GO TO TOYOTA DEALER, ENGINE POWER LOSS.THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR (IN A …

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I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE WITH DYNAMIC SPEED CONTROL ON. THE CAR SLOWED APPROPRIATELY TO MATCH THE SPEED OF THE THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. SUDDENLY SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES APPEARED: MASTER WARNING LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE, CHECK AWD, GO TO TOYOTA DEALER, ENGINE POWER LOSS.THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR (IN A 65 MPH AREA) WHILE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WAS AT (OR ABOVE) THE SPEED LIMIT. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO USE MY SMARTPHONE TO FIND THE NEAREST DEALER AND PLANNED TO GO OFF THE EXIT (WHICH WAS JUST A FEW YARD AHEAD) AND TRY TO MAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON SIDE ROADS. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR ALL LIGHTS AND WARNINGS WERE OFF AND THE CAR DROVE WITHOUT INCIDENT UNTIL I REACHED THE DEALER NEAR MY RESIDENCE, ABOUT 100 MILES AWAY. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER ADVISED I HAD TRAVELED TOO FAR SINCE THE INCIDENT FOR THEIR COMPUTER ANALYSIS TO WORK AND HE HAD NO ADVICE EXCEPT TO GO TO THE NEAREST DEALER IF IT EVER HAPPENED AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME INFO ON HOW TO AVOID SUCH AN INCIDENT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11173789

13,700 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Unknown Or Other

SEVERAL INSTANCES WITH VEHICLE MOVING ON A CITY STREET LESS THAN 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO A SIDE STREET THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL ENGINE POWER AT THE GAS PEDAL. ATTEMPTS TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL HAS NO AFFECT, THEN AFTER ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS THE VEHICLE RESPONDS TO THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTS MOVING. I HAVE HAD THE SA…

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SEVERAL INSTANCES WITH VEHICLE MOVING ON A CITY STREET LESS THAN 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO A SIDE STREET THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL ENGINE POWER AT THE GAS PEDAL. ATTEMPTS TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL HAS NO AFFECT, THEN AFTER ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS THE VEHICLE RESPONDS TO THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTS MOVING. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN MOVING SLOWLY ON A CITY STREET AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES, WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE CHANGE THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER FOR 5-8 SECONDS AND THEN WILL START TO RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL. THEN RESPONDS TO THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AS I'M UNSURE IF THE CAR WILL GO OR NOT WHEN THIS OCCURS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO TOYOTA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWO TIMES FOR THIS PROB LEM AND THEY REPEATEDLY TELL ME THAT THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING NORMALLY.

NHTSA ODI #11173270

23,620 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Unknown Or Other

SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION, MOTOR AND ACCESSORIES OFF, THE TAILGATE OPENED ON ITS OWN SIX TIMES IN A 45 MINUTE PERIOD. EACH TIME WE CLOSED THE HATCH WITH THE BUTTON ON THE DASH. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE DOOR OPENED AGAIN BY ITSELF WITHIN A TWO HOUR PERIOD. ALL KEYFOBS…

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SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION, MOTOR AND ACCESSORIES OFF, THE TAILGATE OPENED ON ITS OWN SIX TIMES IN A 45 MINUTE PERIOD. EACH TIME WE CLOSED THE HATCH WITH THE BUTTON ON THE DASH. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE DOOR OPENED AGAIN BY ITSELF WITHIN A TWO HOUR PERIOD. ALL KEYFOBS WERE IN THE HOUSE.

NHTSA ODI #11164813

24,800 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AT NIGHT, A CRACKING NOISE WAS HEARD ON THE ROOF FOLLOWED BY A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS SHATTERED, BUT DID NOT COLLAPSE UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF PHARR (956-8…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AT NIGHT, A CRACKING NOISE WAS HEARD ON THE ROOF FOLLOWED BY A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS SHATTERED, BUT DID NOT COLLAPSE UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF PHARR (956-815-2285, LOCATED AT 1625 W EXPY 83, PHARR, TX 78577) WHERE THE DEALER INSISTED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FALLING OBJECT. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,800. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11164551

25,000 miles · Dec 28, 2018
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED/QUIT WORKING AT A STOP LIGHT IN CHEYENNE, WYOMING 28 DECEMBER 2018 WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11163830

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.