CarModelProblems.com

2017 Toyota Highlander Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 3.1× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
261Complaints
4Recalls
18Crashes
2Fires
26Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (26.4% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Power Train complaints here are 3.1× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train69 · 26.4%No official action
Electrical System46 · 17.6%RecalledRecall 18E107000
Engine44 · 16.9%No official action
Fuel/propulsion System28 · 10.7%RecalledRecall 20V682000
Service Brakes28 · 10.7%No official action
Vehicle Speed Control13 · 5%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN69 · 26.4%
Unspecified / other51 · 19.5%
ENGINE44 · 16.9%
SERVICE BRAKES28 · 10.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13 · 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER12 · 4.6%
AIR BAGS9 · 3.4%
STRUCTURE:BODY8 · 3.1%

Percentages are the share of the 261 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 18E107000 · 2018 · reported 11/27/2018

The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 17V520000 · 2017 · reported 08/23/2017

The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

NHTSA campaign 17V295000 · 2017 · reported 05/02/2017

A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 20V682000 · 2020 · reported 11/04/2020

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“ON HIGHWAY TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WE SAT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE MAYBE 2-3 MINUTES WHEN I RELEASED BRAKES CAR WOULD NOT GO…”NHTSA complaint 11388949 — filed 01/19/2021 · POWER TRAIN
“THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 33,000 MILES ON THE CAR PUTTING THE WHOLE FAMILY IN THE CAR AT RISK…”NHTSA complaint 11388863 — filed 01/19/2021 · POWER TRAIN
“AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ACCELERATING, A SLIGHT PAUSE OR LOSS OF POWER IS NOTICEABLE. IT SEEMS AS IF FUEL IS CUT OFF OR ENGINE DOES…”NHTSA complaint 11375169 — filed 11/18/2020 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

412017342018432019312020592021232022412023282024352025312026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 69 of 261 NHTSA complaints (26.4%), followed by unspecified/other issues (51), electrical system (46), engine (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have?

261 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 26 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18E107000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2017 Toyota Highlander's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.