2017 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 267 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 18 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 26 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 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.
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V682000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemNov 27, 2018
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).
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18E107000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentAug 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.
The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 17V520000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireMay 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.
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 17V295000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Jan 25, 2018
I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING MY 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I AM TRYING TO USE THE HIGHLANDER'S ADVERTISED ABILITY TO TOW A SMALL RV TRAILER (UNDER 5000LBS). TOYOTA AGREES THIS REQUIRES INSTALLATION OF A BRAKE CONTROLLER IN THE HIGHLANDER AND ELECTRIC BRAKES ON THE RV TRAILER. I INSTALLED A BRAKE CONTROLLER FOLLOWING STANDARD INDUSTRY PRACTICES. WHEN THE MANUAL BRAKE SWITCH IS THEN APPLIED, MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DISPLAYS "PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WARNING MESSAGE EVEN IF THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM IS TURNED-OFF. (NOTE: THIS ISSUE ONLY OCCURS IN 2017 AND 2018 HIGHLANDERS SINCE EARLIER VERSIONS DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM). I BELIEVE THAT THE BURDEN SHOULD BE ON TOYOTA TO PROVIDE PROPER INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE DESPITE MY REPEATED LETTERS TO TOYOTA. I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY TOYOTA ON THIS ISSUE, SOME FOLKS (AS NOTED ON INTERNET HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/333-HIGHLANDER-3RD-GENERATION-2014/1509914-7-PIN-WIRING-HARNESS-2017-HIGHLANDER-LIMITED.HTML) ARE INSERTING A DIODE TO PREVENT THEIR BRAKE CONTROLLER FROM DRIVING POWER BACK ONTO THE BRAKE SENSE LINE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE "PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WARNING MESSAGE. THIS ALSO PREVENTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON BOTH THE TOW VEHICLE AND TRAILER FROM BEING LIT WHEN THE TRAILER BRAKES ARE MANUALLY APPLIED. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNSAFE. THE ABILITY TO APPLY THE TRAILER BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY OF THE TOW VEHICLE BRAKES (I.E. THE MANUAL OVERRIDE CAPABILITY) IS A SAFETY FEATURE FOR REDUCING TRAILER SWAY WHICH CAN OCCUR IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. FURTHERMORE, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE MANUAL OVERRIDE CAPABILITY IS REQUIRED BY LAW IN CALIFORNIA. TOYOTA NEEDS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE SINCE ONLY THEY HAVE THE DETAILED KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO DEVELOP A SOLUTION.
Service brakes, Dec 10, 2017
I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA IN MARCH. LAST NITE WAS OUR FIRST STORM OF THE YEAR. I LIVE IN SALEM,NH AND WE HAD MAYBE 2-3 INCHES OF SNOW. I WAS DRIVING HOME AND WENT OFF THE ROAD TWICE. I TRIED PUMPING BRAKES AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THIS SUV I COULD NOT STOP. IT WAS NOT DEEP SNOW. I FEEL SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 25 MPH AND MY SUV WENT OFF ROAD AND I NARROWLY MISSED A TELEPHONE POLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN SUV THAT DROVE THIS BADLY. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, MY HUSBAND EVEN DROVE AFTER I WENT OFF ROAD AND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE CAR SLID ALL OVER ROAD TOO. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS IN THIS TYPE OF WEATHER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR SAFETY FEATURES AND NOW I AM IN FEAR OF MY LIFE IN SNOW. HELP ME PLEASE.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 27, 2017, crash
WE WERE IN A THANKSGIVING DAY RELATED TOUCH N GO TRAFFIC ON A NORMAL STREET, WHICH ENTERS INTO A MALL. ALL OF US ARE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, CAR AHEAD OF US JUST STARTED MOVING AND WE FOLLOWED AFTER ALLOWING A SAFE DISTANCE, THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR AHEAD OF US STOPPED, SO I TRIED STOPPING QUICKLY, BUT THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC COLLISION AVOIDANCE KICKED IN AND TOOK CONTROL OF MY BRAKES, BUT IT STILL DIDNT STOP, I WAS TRYING TO STOP, BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. ENDED UP REAR-ENDING CAR INFRONT OF ME. THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS SAFETY FEATURE WAS TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM REAR ENDING OTHER CARS IN DAY-TO-DAY TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. ALSO OUR SPEED WAS NOT MORE THAN 20 MPH, WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, ALMOST INSTANTLY I REALIZED I HAVE TO STOP AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, TRIED BRAKING, BUT CAR KEPT ROLLING FORWARD. THIS IS JUST 4 MONTH OLD CAR WITH 2500 MILES ON IT. WAITING TO SEE HOW TOYOTA HANDLES MY CASE, IN THE MEANTIME, INSURANCE THINKS I AM AT FAULT AND STARTED THE CLAIM, COVERING THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED A "BRAKE" MESSAGE IN RED COLOR, WHICH IS TRUE, IT IDENTIFIED A COLLISION, BUT DIDNT STOP. IMO STOPPING IS MORE IMPORTANT! THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO CAR INFRONT OF ME, MY CAR HAD SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO GRILLS AND FRONT BUMPER AREA.
Service brakes, Sep 28, 2017
2017 TOYOTA HIGLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. DUE TO THE FAILURE THE CONSUMER HAS RAN INTO A HANDICAP SIGN, LAWN TRACTOR AND WHEELBARROW. THE COLLISIONS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, NUMBER PLATE AND NUMBER PLATE COVER. ALSO, CAUSED DEEP SCRATCHES TOT HE LEFT LOWER PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED UPDATED 09/28/2017*JS