2017 Toyota Highlander

Family: Highlander · filed with NHTSA as HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Summary

In its first three years the 2017 Highlander drew 85 complaints — 0.9× the median of its generation (2014–2019). It does not stand out from the other years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Powertrain, holds 31% of the 246 that name a component.
4 recalls filed for this model year.
1 federal defect investigation covers this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 274
Recalls: 4
Investigations: 1
NCAP overall: 5 of 5 stars
Combined MPG: 22–29
Annual fuel cost: $2,150–$2,850
Median mileage at complaint: 20,000 mi (n = 126)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 18 / 2 / 26 / 0

What owners report

Powertrain

77 complaints · 31% of complaints that name a component · median 20,000 mi (n = 25)

Owner report Transmission whining, rough shifts at lower gears. Dealership says my car doesn't fall under the secondary csp even though it has the same symptoms.

Owner report 2017 UA80F AWD Toyota Highlander Transmission Failure at 145,000 miles with regular maintenance. Starts off delayed shifting and jerking when accelerating, accompanied with faint whistle/whirring sound from under the dash. with Transmission falls under the Toyota Customer Support Program ZJC TSB 016018. my VIN did not…

Engine

52 complaints · 21% of complaints that name a component · median 20,800 mi (n = 27)

Owner report My 2017 Toyota Highlander, VIN [XXX], has just under 85,000 miles. I was notified at the dealership (Stevinson Toyota in Lakewood Colorado) who inspected the vehicle yesterday that the vehicle has developed a timing cover oil leak on the passenger side. After further research I learned this is caused by premature failu…

Owner report bought the car in 2018 and ever since it makes a rttling noise, Toyota says it is the hybrid system engaigeing, hybrid cars are not supposed to make noise.

Electrical System

47 complaints · 19% of complaints that name a component · median 35,000 mi (n = 17)

Owner report Car is shaking heavily when stopped. Several misfires while engaging the brakes. Mechanic is telling me that he has seen many vehicles of this model with faulty purge valves.

Owner report As the electronic back hitch was closing, I pressed the Start Engine button and the vehicle dashboard lit up but would not start. Then I pressed the button again and it said the Ignition is On. Pressed again to shut off. Vehicle made a bunch of clicking noises but would not start. Disconnected battery to “re boot” …

10% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2014–2019)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 94.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
2014	138	40	not compared
2015	196	75
2016	117	49	not compared
2017	274	85
2018	276	102
2019	512	152	most complaints

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

20V682000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Filed 2020-11-04 · 1,525,742 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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.

18E107000 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Filed 2018-11-27 · 8,202 vehicles

Defect: Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).

Risk: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.

17V520000 · EQUIPMENT

Filed 2017-08-23 · 1,121 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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

Filed 2017-05-02 · 409 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
DP22005	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM	2023-01-27	2023-08-07	22V063000

DP22005: Pedestrian alert sounds

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Highlander	2.7L 4cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	20	24	22	$2850
Highlander	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	Front-Wheel Drive	20	27	23	$2700
Highlander AWD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	20	26	22	$2850
Highlander AWD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	19	26	22	$2850
Highlander AWD LE	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	20	27	23	$2700
Highlander Hybrid AWD	3.5L 6cyl Hybrid	Automatic (AV-S6)	All-Wheel Drive	29	27	28	$2250
Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus	3.5L 6cyl Hybrid	Automatic (AV-S6)	All-Wheel Drive	30	28	29	$2150
Highlander LE/XLE/SE/LTD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	Front-Wheel Drive	21	27	23	$2700

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2017 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2017 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2017 Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Toyota issued 368 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about equipment.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2026-02-13	ENGINE	OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
2026-02-13	ENGINE	This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge…
2026-01-07	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2026-01-07	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2025-08-20	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
2025-08-20	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
2025-06-13	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant…
2025-06-13	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant…
2025-01-30	SERVICE BRAKES	Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is pr…
2025-01-30	SERVICE BRAKES	Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is pr…

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Highlander, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota Highlander model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.