2017 Toyota Highlander problems and recalls

Owners have filed 264 complaints on the 2017 Toyota Highlander, and NHTSA has issued 4 recalls. The most cited component is the Power Train (71 complaints).

264
Complaints
4
Recalls
18
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
26
Injuries
97.0
Severity index

Severity index 97.0 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 97.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 21 of 137 by severity index among 2017 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 85% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2017 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 71 complaints (26.9%)71 27%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 52 complaints (19.7%)52 20%EngineEngine: 46 complaints (17.4%)46 17%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 46 complaints (17.4%)46 17%Service BrakesService Brakes: 29 complaints (11.0%)29 11%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 28 complaints (10.6%)28 11%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 13 complaints (4.9%)13 5%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 12 complaints (4.5%)12 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN7126.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5219.7%
ENGINE4617.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4617.4%
SERVICE BRAKES2911.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2810.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL134.9%
VISIBILITY/WIPER124.5%

Complaints filed per year

020392017: 282018: 282019: 272020: 202021: 392022: 152023: 292024: 222025: 292026: 27 (partial year)1718192021392223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201728
201828
201927
202020
202139
202215
202329
202422
202529
2026 (year to date)27
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (80 against 74).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18E10700027/11/2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFujian 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 C
17V52000023/08/2017EQUIPMENTGulf 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.
17V29500002/05/2017TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIREGulf 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 prop
20V68200004/11/2020FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPToyota 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,

Other Toyota Highlander model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.