YearToAvoid

2017 Toyota Highlander Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 50 electrical system complaints for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, 19% of its 267 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 31,400 miles. NHTSA has no related recall on file for this issue.

Electrical System complaints
50
19% of 267
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
31,400 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of power steering and stalling while driving, sometimes at intersections or on the highway.
  • Some describe the vehicle shutting down completely while moving, with the dashboard and entertainment system going dark before power unexpectedly returns.
  • Several complaints describe the car failing to restart after being parked, accompanied by a 'braking power low' warning and repeated clicking noises.
  • One owner reported smoke coming from the center console charging port while driving, without any debris found in the port.
  • A few owners describe the AWD system triggering warning alerts and the vehicle unexpectedly cutting power or limiting speed on the highway.
  • One owner compared their auto stop/start malfunction to an issue covered by a 2020 model year recall, though their 2017 Highlander showed no recall coverage.

When 2017 Toyota Highlander electrical complaints were filed

First complaint May 18, 2017, latest Mar 25, 2026.

2017 Toyota Highlander electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2017May 2019Aug 2020Apr 2021Nov 2021Mar 2023Jan 2024Feb 2025
50 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2017 to Mar 2026; peak Aug 2019 (3).

Electrical System recalls for the 2017 Toyota Highlander

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Highlander model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201059 (28%)
  2. 201127 (15%)
  3. 201230 (16%)
  4. 201329 (14%)
  5. 201437 (27%)
  6. 201561 (32%)
  7. 201622 (20%)
  8. 201750 (19%)
  9. 201828 (11%)
  10. 201960 (12%)
  11. 202018 (6%)
  12. 202133 (6%)
  13. 202225 (10%)
  14. 202312 (7%)
  15. 20246 (14%)
  16. 20251 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical system complaints on the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA lists 50 electrical system complaints for the 2017 Highlander, which is 19% of the 267 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
No. NHTSA lists no related recalls for the electrical system on the 2017 Toyota Highlander.
At what mileage do 2017 Highlander electrical problems tend to show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for electrical system complaints on the 2017 Highlander is 31,400 miles.
Are the 2017 Highlander's electrical problems dangerous?
NHTSA's data for this problem area on the 2017 Highlander includes 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries among the reported complaints.
How does the 2017 Highlander compare to other model years for electrical complaints?
The 2017 Highlander's 19% share of complaints tied to the electrical system is lower than the 2015 model year's 32% and the 2010 model year's 28%, but higher than the 2020 model year's 6%.

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.