The Used Car Index

2017 Toyota Highlander problems

NHTSA lists 271 complaints for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, 18 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 15 complaints mention an injury, with 26 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.

At a glance

Complaints
271
With crash
18
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
15
Injuries
26
Deaths
0
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
1,525,742
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
282

Complaints per 100k sold: 125.594. Units sold: 215,775; sales year: 2017; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
POWER TRAIN7427.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5319.6%
ENGINE4817.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4717.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2910.7%
SERVICE BRAKES2810.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL134.8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER134.8%
AIR BAGS93.3%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE93.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENTELECTRICAL1
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGTAIL LIGHTS1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDELIVERY1
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION1
LANE DEPARTUREWARNING1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure8531.4%0.81
loss of control6222.9%0.81
electrical electronic5620.7%0.82
restraint or airbag145.2%0.92
structural or corrosion134.8%0.63
fluid or fuel leak114.1%0.92
visibility or lighting114.1%0.87
noise or comfort93.3%0.90
fire or overheating51.8%0.92
unclear51.8%0.92
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate17263.5%0.82
low6724.7%0.72
high3011.1%0.93
none20.7%0.67

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 271 tagged complaints of 271 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

3 recalls.

20V682000

Date: 2020-11-04. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

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 LC5 (excerpt)

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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 cust (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V520000

Date: 2017-08-23. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

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.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V295000

Date: 2017-05-02. Systems: TIRES.

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.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

DP22005

Opened: 2023-01-27. Closed: 2023-08-07.

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: 22V063000.

Manufacturer communications

282 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT109
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM66
STRUCTURE50
ENGINE28
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING25
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY15
POWER TRAIN15
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE11

11029892

Date: 2026-02-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

11029893

Date: 2026-02-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual ref

11028712

Date: 2026-01-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Some 2005 a 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 Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedur

11022964

Date: 2025-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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.

11020657

Date: 2025-06-13. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: 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 leaks.

11014218

Date: 2025-01-30. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyotaa s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customersa ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to certain internal

11014219

Date: 2025-01-30. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyotaa s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customersa ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to certain internal

11014208

Date: 2025-01-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

Some 2017 a 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning lights are on and/or a Check VSC message displays. One or more of the following specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): C1391, C1252, C1256, and/or C1253 will be stored in

11012743

Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.

11012744

Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
HIGHLANDER268
HIGHLANDER HYBRID3

Same model, other years

All model years | All Toyota models

Other Toyota models, 2017

Sources

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