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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
20,800 miles · Aug 22, 2018
EnginePower Train

HELLO, THERE. I WANT TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE ABOUT HIGHLANDER PROBLEM. MY WIFE AND ME WENT TO MYSTIC,CT FROM MY HOME FOR PLEASURE AUGUST 8. I USED CRUISE CONTROL WITH 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY. AFTER I FINISHED TRAVELING THERE, I TRIED TO USE THE SAME CRUISE CONTROL ON THE WAY HOME. AND THEN SUDDENLY MY CAR MADE PROBLEM IN THE MIDDL…

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HELLO, THERE. I WANT TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE ABOUT HIGHLANDER PROBLEM. MY WIFE AND ME WENT TO MYSTIC,CT FROM MY HOME FOR PLEASURE AUGUST 8. I USED CRUISE CONTROL WITH 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY. AFTER I FINISHED TRAVELING THERE, I TRIED TO USE THE SAME CRUISE CONTROL ON THE WAY HOME. AND THEN SUDDENLY MY CAR MADE PROBLEM IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. RPM WENT UP TO OVER 3000 AND RPM NEEDLE ON DASHBOARD STARTED DANCING. AND I WATCHED 'CHECK AWD SYSTEM','TRACTION CONTROL TURNED OFF','CHECK ENGINE VISIT YOUR DEALERSHIP' COMING UP. AUTOMATICALLY MY CAR LOST POWER CONTROL. WE WERE VERY SCARED BECAUSE EVERYONE THERE WAS DRIVING A CAR WITH HIGH SPEED AT NIGHT. I TURNED ON EMERGENCY LIGHT AND PUT MY CAR ON SERVICE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, NO BODY FOLLOWED BEHIND MY CAR AT THAT TIME. IF SOMEONE KEPT APPROACHING MY CAR,WE WOULD HAVE MADE BIG TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE FOR US. EVEN IF WE ARE STILL ALIVE, I DON'T HAVE ANY COURAGEOUS IDEA ABOUT MY CAR. I WILL NOT BE SATISFIED WITH MY CAR. WHENEVER I DRIVE IT, I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT MY CAR CONDITION. FOR EXAMPLE, I FOUND THE SAME STORY ABOUT MY HIGHLANDER THROUGH CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THAT CAR WAS EVENTUALLY BURNED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. SO I WANT MY MONEY BACK BY LEMON LAW.

NHTSA ODI #11121566

40,000 miles · Aug 16, 2018
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY FAILED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED WITH EACH ATTEMPT TO MOVE AND PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM MOVING. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY FAILED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED WITH EACH ATTEMPT TO MOVE AND PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM MOVING. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOONS TYSONS TOYOTA (8610 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VIRGINIA 22182), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #11120489

15 miles · Jul 31, 2018
Unknown Or Other

"TAKATA RECALL" WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE 5 SOUTH FREEWAY HEADING BACK TO LOS ANGELES FROM NEWHALL CA, THE WARNING, THE ABS, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TRACKING CONTROL LIGHTS LID ON MY DASHBOARD ALL AT THE SAME TIME, SCARE ME SINCE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN I DID NOT KNOW IF MY CAR WOULD ALL …

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"TAKATA RECALL" WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE 5 SOUTH FREEWAY HEADING BACK TO LOS ANGELES FROM NEWHALL CA, THE WARNING, THE ABS, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TRACKING CONTROL LIGHTS LID ON MY DASHBOARD ALL AT THE SAME TIME, SCARE ME SINCE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN I DID NOT KNOW IF MY CAR WOULD ALL OF SUDDEN TURN OFF , BUT ONCE I GOT HOME I PARK AND RETURN BACK TO CHECK IT 30 MINUTES LATER TURN THE CAR ON AND THE LIGHTS WHERE STILL THERE I TURN THE CAR BACK OFF AND THIS MORNING THEY WHERE NO LONGER THERE I CALLED THE DEALER BUT THEY SAID THEY CANT NO LONGER DO ANYTHING BUT DO THE 5 POINT CHECK SINCE THE LIGHTS ARE NOT THERE FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG THE CAR OR WHY THE LIGHTS LID IN THE DASHBORAD.

NHTSA ODI #11114806

13,000 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Engine

IN MOTION, THERE WAS NO INDICATOR LIGHT ON BOARD, JUST BIG NOISE STARTED COMING DURING START OR SPEED OF CAR. ENGINE CYL 6 ROD BEARING WAS FAULTY , MAKING NOISE, DEALER REPAIRED IT AND NOT ABLE TO ASSURE OTHER BEARINGS DONT HAVE ANY ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11114686

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

1,000 miles · Jul 19, 2018
Visibility/wiper

WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATING, A PATTERN, FOR A LACK OF A BETTER TERM, APPEARS AS PER THE INCLUDED PHOTO TAKEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THAT TIME. THIS PATTERN OR MARKINGS WHEN VISIBLE RUN VERTICALLY IN THE FORM OF WAVY LINES FROM ONE END OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE OTHER. THIS CONDITION …

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WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATING, A PATTERN, FOR A LACK OF A BETTER TERM, APPEARS AS PER THE INCLUDED PHOTO TAKEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THAT TIME. THIS PATTERN OR MARKINGS WHEN VISIBLE RUN VERTICALLY IN THE FORM OF WAVY LINES FROM ONE END OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE OTHER. THIS CONDITION IS NOT THE RESULT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, A DIRTY WINDSHIELD, INSIDE OR OUT, OR ANY SUBSTANCE OF ANY KIND INTENTIONALLY APPLIED OR NOT AND IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND APPEARS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. WHEN FIRST NOTICED, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL HOURS IN HEAVY AND LIGHT RAIN AND A PERIOD OF TIME IN DAYLIGHT AND EVENING HOURS WITH THE WIPERS BEING OPERATED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THESE MARKINGS ARE A SUBSTANTIAL DISTRACTION ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENING WHERE ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS EXACERBATE THE CONDITION. THESE MARKINGS WHEN VISIBLE NEVER CHANGE OR STREAK AS THE WIPERS MOVE BACK AND FORTH AS IN THE CASE WHEN, FOR EXAMPLE, AN INSECT STRIKES THE WINDSHIELD. TO THIS END, AND JUST BY CHANCE ON THE DAY THE PHOTO WAS TAKEN, A STREAK IS VISIBLE AGAIN PROBABLY DUE TO AN INSECT HITTING THE WINDSHIELD OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF DEBRIS, HOWEVER, THE MARKINGS IN QUESTION CLEARLY STAND OUT FROM THE STREAK. IT IS NOTED IN THE CASE OF THE STREAK, AS WOULD BE EXPECTED, IT FOLLOWS THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER. THE MARKINGS WHEN APPLICABLE ARE VISIBLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY AND CAN BE CLEARLY SEEN BY THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF ROADWAY. AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, THESE MARKINGS ARE NOT VISIBLE IN THE ABSENCE OF RAIN OR WATER BEING APPLIED MANUALLY FROM A GARDEN HOSE.

NHTSA ODI #11112429

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

13,000 miles · Jul 11, 2018
Power Train

SINCE I LEASED BY HIGHLANDER I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR SHIFTS VERY HARD, SOMETIMES SPUTTERING BETWEEN 5-10MPH AND THEN ACCELERATING. DEALER REFLASHED THE COMPUTER BASED ON TECHNICAL BULLETIN TSB-0194-17. THEY HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND HAVE REPLICATED THE ISSUE AND I AM AWAITING GUIDANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS 13,000 MILES …

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SINCE I LEASED BY HIGHLANDER I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR SHIFTS VERY HARD, SOMETIMES SPUTTERING BETWEEN 5-10MPH AND THEN ACCELERATING. DEALER REFLASHED THE COMPUTER BASED ON TECHNICAL BULLETIN TSB-0194-17. THEY HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND HAVE REPLICATED THE ISSUE AND I AM AWAITING GUIDANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS 13,000 MILES ON IT, THERE SHOULD NOT BE MAJOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. MY COMPLAINT DOESN'T SEEM ISOLATED.

NHTSA ODI #11110722

2,000 miles · Jun 18, 2018
Lane Departure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED TO REGISTER A SEMI-TRUCK AS SHE ENTERED INTO THE LEFT LANE PREMATURELY. BUD CLARY TOYOTA OF YAKIMA IN UNION GAP, WASHINGTON WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED TO REGISTER A SEMI-TRUCK AS SHE ENTERED INTO THE LEFT LANE PREMATURELY. BUD CLARY TOYOTA OF YAKIMA IN UNION GAP, WASHINGTON WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 171-221-11129. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TT UPDATED 10/5/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11102431

34,000 miles · May 11, 2018
Unknown Or Other

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I HEARD A LOUD BANG THERE WERE NO VEHICLES AROUND ME AT THE TIME AND NOTHING HAD HIT MY VEHICLE, I THEN HEARD FALLING GLASS PIECES AND WIND AND REALIZED MY SUNROOF HAD BEEN SHATTERED. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AS IT WAS PUSHED OUTWARD AND CRACKED FROM ONE SIDE TO…

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AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I HEARD A LOUD BANG THERE WERE NO VEHICLES AROUND ME AT THE TIME AND NOTHING HAD HIT MY VEHICLE, I THEN HEARD FALLING GLASS PIECES AND WIND AND REALIZED MY SUNROOF HAD BEEN SHATTERED. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AS IT WAS PUSHED OUTWARD AND CRACKED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER IN MULTIPLE AREAS.

NHTSA ODI #11093331

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.