2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
344
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
40
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
The 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has received a total of 344 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD. 40 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (59 complaints), Unknown Or Other (47 complaints), and Electrical System (45 complaints).
Recalls for the 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, potentially affecting up to 3,069,418 vehicles.
Recall 20V682000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 1,525,742 vehicles affected
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...
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...
View full details →Recall 20V682000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 1,525,742 vehicles affected
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...
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...
View full details →Recall 18E107000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
| 8,202 vehicles affected
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).
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 18E107000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 8,202 vehicles affected
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).
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 17V520000 — EQUIPMENT
| 1,121 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 17V295000 — TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
| 409 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
344 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Transmission failed in May 2025, around 95,000 miles. Had to have entire transmission replaced. Shop said metal filings were found in the fluids, leading to the breakdown and need for full replacement. No other warning lights or lamps indicated a problem. A high pitched whining noise was the indicator, which then led to several visits to the shop, monitored the issue, changed fluids, but the transmission eventually failed. Transmission failed in May of 2025, it took 3 months for a new transmission to be built and shipped to the midwest for install in Aug 2025.
Transmission yes it’s available for inspection rite now on vacation on a very steep hill the transmission quit pulling at the top of the hill in the middle of a very narrow street and we had to ease backwards down to a place on the hill to turn around and get to level ground all this happened with no previous warning
Transmission yes it’s available for inspection rite now on vacation on a very steep hill the transmission quit pulling at the top of the hill in the middle of a very narrow street and we had to ease backwards down to a place on the hill to turn around and get to level ground all this happened with no previous warning
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken to a dealer for routine maintenance, the dealer informed the contact that the rear main seal was leaking and needed to be resealed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,402.
Purchased my 2017 Highlander in June of 2017. At 4912 miles noticed the transmission was slipping. Contacted the dealership and was told from an employee that in his 20 plus years he had never had a transmission do that. Took it to the dealership and it was the transmission. It was replaced under warranty. In January of 2026 took it to the dealership after noticing a weird whinnying sound when running. After running a diagnostic test I was informed that my transmission needed replaced again. It only has 72,426 miles. Was told that the transmission was on back order and when asked if safe to drive, told yes.
Safety Rating for the 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
The 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 40 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TSB004522Rev1 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions 010171, 010170, or 01017D) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Head unit reboots at a specific location. ?Abnormal Destination Search...
T-SB-0015-21 Rev — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TSB: This Service Bulletin provides a procedure to properly perform the Techstream ?Control the Injection Mode? active test in some 2016 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an FKS engine
T-SB-0015-21 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
TSB: This Service Bulletin provides a procedure to properly perform the Techstream ?Control the Injection Mode? active test in some 2016 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an FKS engine.
T-SB-0122-20 Rev — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TSB: Some 2017 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Sienna, 2018 model year Camry, and 2019 model year Avalon vehicles with and without the stop and start feature may exhibit a flex lock-up concern and MIL ON with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P07407E and/or P27567F. Vehicles that have experienced a...
T-SB-0122-20 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TSB: Some 2017 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Sienna, 2018 model year Camry, and 2019 model year Avalon vehicles with and without the stop and start feature may exhibit a flex lock-up concern and MIL ON with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P07407E and/or P27567F. Vehicles that have experienced a...
T-SB-0194-17 Rev — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TSB: Some 2017 model year Highlander vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Lack of power. ?High RPM shift point at the 2 ? 3 shift. ?Hesitation in low gears. Some 2017 model year Highlander vehicles with the stop and start feature may exhibit the following conditions:...
19TC04 - Region — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Region Email: The involved vehicles are equipped with an engine oil cooling system. The oil cooling system could experience a small leak due to a manufacturing issue. If a vehicle is continuously operated with this condition, it may result in abnormal engine noise, illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL),...
19TC04 - Dealer — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Dealer Email: The involved vehicles are equipped with an engine oil cooling system. The oil cooling system could experience a small leak due to a manufacturing issue. If a vehicle is continuously operated with this condition, it may result in abnormal engine noise, illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL),...
19TC04 -Region L — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Region Letter: The involved vehicles are equipped with an engine oil cooling system. The oil cooling system could experience a small leak due to a manufacturing issue. If a vehicle is continuously operated with this condition, it may result in abnormal engine noise, illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL),...
19TC04 - TI_01.3 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Technical Instructions: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 19TC04 OIL COOLER PIPE CERTAIN 2017 ? 2019 HIGHLANDER HV
Showing 10 of 40 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
- 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 228 complaints
- 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 279 complaints
- 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 156 complaints
- 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 238 complaints
- 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 137 complaints
- 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (current)
- 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 325 complaints
- 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 555 complaints
- 2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 312 complaints
- 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 499 complaints
- 2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 244 complaints
Other TOYOTA Models
- TOYOTA CAMRY — 23,209 total complaints
- TOYOTA PRIUS — 15,411 total complaints
- TOYOTA COROLLA — 14,342 total complaints
- TOYOTA RAV4 — 11,737 total complaints
- TOYOTA SIENNA — 10,769 total complaints
- TOYOTA TACOMA — 10,512 total complaints
- TOYOTA TUNDRA — 8,997 total complaints
- TOYOTA 4RUNNER — 6,405 total complaints