YearToAvoid

2017 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2017 Toyota Highlander has a Complaint Index of 65, ranking 8th worst of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead complaints at 27%, with 3 recalls on record, none do-not-drive.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
65/100
#8 of 21 Highlander years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
267
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
18
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
26
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2016
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22.5
20 city / 26.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
26 / 0

Top 2017 Toyota Highlander problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain73 (27%)
  2. Engine58 (22%)
  3. Other57 (21%)
  4. Electrical System50 (19%)
  5. Fuel System37 (14%)
  6. Brakes31 (12%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers15 (6%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body11 (4%)
  10. Airbags9 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Vehicles reportedly lunged or accelerated unexpectedly while parking or idling, sometimes jumping into gear on their own.
  • Some owners describe the transmission engaging suddenly and driving the vehicle into objects like garages, medians, or fences.
  • Brake-related complaints mention the pre-collision system or brake assist activating or failing unexpectedly, taking control from the driver.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes, with occupants sustaining head, neck, or stomach injuries.
  • The driver's side mirror was described as creating a large blind spot that contributed to a left-turn collision.
2017 Toyota Highlander complaints: complaints filed per quarter162017 Q12018 Q22019 Q32020 Q42022 Q12023 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
267 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2021 Q1 (16).

2017 Toyota Highlander recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 17V520000Aug 23, 2017Other1,121 vehicles

    Equipment

    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.

    Risk: The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 17V295000May 2, 2017Suspension, Wheels & Tires409 vehicles

    Tires:temporary/emergency spare tire

    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.

    Risk: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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.

2017 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
22.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,875
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other Highlander years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Caution50192121
2016Best15110221
2017Caution65267322.5
2018Caution70265422.5
2019Avoid95482322.5

All Toyota Highlander years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2017 Highlander a Complaint Index of 65, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years, which earns it a Caution verdict relative to other Highlander years.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2017 Highlander?
Transmission & Powertrain complaints are the largest category, making up 27% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 20,000 miles.
Does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Highlander, covering the fuel system (fuel pump replacement), roof rail cross bar fasteners, and spare tire pressure inspection. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2017 Highlander compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 65 is worse than years like 2016 (15, Best) and 2014 (10, Best), but better than 2019 (95, Avoid) and 2021 (100, Avoid).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.