AI Damage2017 Toyota Highlander: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Toyota Highlander filed 271 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 144 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 271
- involving a crash
- 18
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 144
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 28% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 17% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 77 complaints (28% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Engine: 47 complaints (17% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Electrical system: 46 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Service brakes: 29 complaints (11% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 28 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.7 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.5 L · hybrid · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 8-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 271 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 77 | 2 | 2 |
| Engine | 47 | 3 | 14 |
| Electrical system | 46 | 1 | 28 |
| Service brakes | 29 | 5 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 15 | 1 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 4 | 2 |
| Air bags | 9 | 6 | 5 |
| Fuel system | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 8 | 2 | 42 |
| Wheels | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I had an accident on 1/14/24 and the airbags did not deploy. When we bought the vehicle from I-5 Toyota it had been in a previous accident and was repaired. I have a picture from the dash stating “ SRS air bag system malfunction” on the day of incident.
The radio would randomly shut off. We eventually replaced the battery. On a Fri.(Dec 17th) my car would not start, so my Husband drove the kids & I to school, upon my return the car started. He told me the wheel locks & I need to move it. Then on Mon.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 toyota highlander.the contact stated while driving 60 mph,when multiple warning lights began to illuminate and the vehicle seized.the contact was able restart the ignition and drive away.the vehicle was taken to local dealer lia toyota of rockland (618 ny-303, blauvelt, [ZIP]:[phone]),where…
While driving in a city street at approximately 20 mph I had my window wipers on due to some pollen on my windshield. While window wipers were engaged I approach a downward hill and hit noting but sun glare blinding me I put my brakes on but by that time my suv slammed into the car in front of me.
It scared the daylights out of me! Suddenly the car jumped through a wooden fence and off a five foot drop off to the street below. I was lucky there was a pile of gravel to stop me. I put it into park.the airbags did not go off. I was not hurt. But I am very stressed by the incident.
I was in a rear impact collision in my highlander. My vehicle was stationary on a highway, having stopped to avoid a collision, and was hit from behind at a relatively high rate of speed (estimated 55-65 mph). My car was pushed into the car in front of it which caused a chain reaction with several other vehicles.
At one time when we had and oil change my husband told the service manager that when we put the car in gear the car would make a clunk noise and he said they all do that. Maybe they do but I wouldn't think so after what happened.
The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained head injuries that required medical attention. The front passenger sustained leg injuries and the rear passenger also sustained head and neck injuries that required medical attention.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 230 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Highlander has 229 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 271, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free
This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination.
- This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for…
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life…
This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC)…
NHTSA lists 144 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 271. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (20%), knocking, grinding or other noise (14%), transmission slipping (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA lists 144 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Toyota Highlander from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.