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2017 Toyota Highlander problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

270owner complaints
3safety recalls
18involved a crash

Also reported: 2 fires, 26 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 270.

Power train76
Usually 11,980–37,000 miles (middle half of 25 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Driveline › driveshaft (1)
Unknown or other53
Usually 6,750–34,500 miles (middle half of 27 reports with mileage)
Engine47
Usually 14,650–46,954 miles (middle half of 22 reports with mileage)
Electrical system46
Usually 22,200–41,750 miles (middle half of 16 reports with mileage)
Fuel/propulsion system28
Usually 5,000–24,820 miles (middle half of 11 reports with mileage)
Service brakes28
Usually 8,000–41,208 miles (middle half of 12 reports with mileage)
Vehicle speed control13
Usually 4,400–25,000 miles (middle half of 9 reports with mileage)
Visibility/wiper12
Usually 2,000–6,500 miles (middle half of 9 reports with mileage)
Air bags9
Usually 10,000–25,000 miles (middle half of 5 reports with mileage)
Fuel system, gasoline9
Usually 67,750–105,500 miles (middle half of 7 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Delivery › fuel pump (1)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Power train

25 reports with mileage · median 20,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Unknown or other

27 reports with mileage · median 18,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Engine

22 reports with mileage · median 20,400 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (3)

Recalls that cover the 2017 Toyota Highlander. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline › delivery › fuel pump

Campaign 20V682000 · 2020-11-04 · 1,525,742 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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: 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.

Equipment

Campaign 17V520000 · 2017-08-23 · 1,121 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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: 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.

Tires › temporary/emergency spare tire

Campaign 17V295000 · 2017-05-02 · 409 vehicles

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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: 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.

Questions to ask the seller

Has the transmission been serviced or repaired? On the test drive, watch for slipping, delayed engagement, or harsh shifts.

76 owner complaints mention the transmission or drivetrain, half of the reports with mileage are between 11,980 and 37,000 miles.

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

47 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 14,650 and 46,954 miles.

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

46 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 22,200 and 41,750 miles.

Any stalling, hesitation, loss of power, or fuel smell? Ask whether fuel-system parts were replaced and get the receipts.

28 owner complaints mention the fuel or propulsion system, half of the reports with mileage are between 5,000 and 24,820 miles.

When were the brakes last serviced? On the test drive, check for pulsing, grinding, a soft pedal, or ABS warnings.

28 owner complaints mention the brakes, half of the reports with mileage are between 8,000 and 41,208 miles.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Toyota Highlander years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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