2017 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

44Engine complaints

16.9%Of all 261 complaints

#4Most-reported category

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

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN69 · 26.4%

Unspecified / other51 · 19.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM46 · 17.6%

ENGINE44 · 16.9%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM28 · 10.7%

Share of the 261 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2017 Toyota Highlander overview page.

What owners report

“I HAD THIS CAR 2017 BRAND NEW, AFTER 10000 MILE, I HEARD SOME NOISES FOR MY FRONT WHEELS, I DID MY OIL AND MAINTANCE SERVICE…”NHTSA complaint 11390931 — filed 01/31/2021

“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

“VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING, AFTER STALLING THERE IS NO POWER, NEEDS A JUMP START TO GET GOING AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES…”NHTSA complaint 11324985 — filed 05/18/2020

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

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have engine problems?

Engine is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2017 Toyota Highlander: 44 of 261 complaints on file (16.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have in total?

261 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 18 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 26 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.