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

Power train complaints lead the file. Engine and electrical complaints are the next largest groups with a named part. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact lists the recall count, and the Recalls section on this page has the details.

How many complaints are on file for the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

NHTSA has 274 owner complaints on file. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.

What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.

Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander reliable?

The complaint record shows power train, engine and electrical reports as the largest groups that name a specific part. Read the problems and by-year sections to weigh them.

2017 Toyota Highlander Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 274 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Toyota Highlander^[1]. The by-year section below also shows the recall count, which is 3^[2].

274owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[2]

22–29MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the SUV. Here are the biggest groups on file.

Power train. 77 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe the SUV losing power on the highway, slowing sharply with warning messages, or stopping in traffic. Some talk about a transmission that stopped sending power to the wheels and an axle problem that left the car unable to move.
Unknown or other. 53 complaints^[6]. These reports do not point to one clear part, so they cover a mix of issues.
Engine. 52 complaints^[7]. Owners describe check engine lights, sudden power loss while driving, a fuel smell and an engine noise that turned out to be a worn internal part. In one story the problem came back after a dealer reset.
Electrical system. 47 complaints^[8]. Owners describe blown fuses, screen and Bluetooth glitches, a power liftgate that would not close, and error messages with no clear cause. A few also describe the car dropping into accessory mode or stalling.
Brakes. 30 complaints^[9]. Owners describe the SUV rolling on after the pedal was pressed, long stopping distances on a snowy road, and driver assist braking that did not react the way they expected.
Fuel and propulsion system. 29 complaints^[10].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2017 Highlander is necessarily included.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (20V682), November 2020. About 1,525,742 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[11]
Equipment (17V520), August 2017. About 1,121 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire (17V295), May 2017. About 409 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Highlander, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[14]	20 / 24 / 22	$3,050
Highlander LE/XLE/SE/LTD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	21 / 27 / 23	$2,900
Highlander, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	20 / 27 / 23	$2,900
Highlander AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[17]	20 / 26 / 22	$3,050
Highlander AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[18]	19 / 26 / 22	$3,050
Highlander Hybrid AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[19]	29 / 27 / 28	$2,400
Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[3]	30 / 28 / 29	$2,300
Highlander AWD LE, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[20]	20 / 27 / 23	$2,900

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[4]	5	4	5	4	16.9%
SUV FWD^[21]	5	4	5	4	18.5%
SUV AWD^[22]	5	4	5	4	16.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2017 Toyota Highlander with 2.7L 4-cylinder^[23]	185 hp
2017 Toyota Highlander with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[24]	256 to 295 hp

How 2017 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Highlander model year. The 2017 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	137	3
2002	301	2
2003	258	2
2004	286	5
2005	225	6
2006	648	11
2007	234	6
2008	602	12
2009	174	10
2010	238	11
2011	186	5
2012	191	2
2013	212	3
2014	138	4
2015	196	1
2016	117	2
2017	274	3
2018	274	4
2019	506	3
2020	330	5
2021	546	5
2022	269	6
2023	197	9
2024	43	7
2025	10	4
2026	4	0

NHTSA's counts for the Highlander show 274 complaints and 3 recalls for 2017^[2]. Among the 26 model years listed, 17 have fewer complaints than 2017 and 7 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (4) and the most are for 2006 (648)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2017 Highlander?

The complaint file for this Highlander is sizable^[1], and the power train group is the biggest on file^[5]. Engine and electrical reports often read like the same event, where warning lights come on and the car loses power^[7]^[8]. Brake complaints include crashes and injuries^[9]. These are unverified owner reports that are not adjusted for sales, so check the recall section and the by-year comparison too^[2].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Highlander?: Power train complaints lead the file^[5]. Engine and electrical complaints are the next largest groups with a named part^[7]^[8]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact lists the recall count, and the Recalls section on this page has the details^[2].
How many complaints are on file for the 2017 Toyota Highlander?: NHTSA has 274 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Toyota Highlander?: See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander reliable?: The complaint record shows power train, engine and electrical reports as the largest groups that name a specific part^[5]^[7]^[8]. Read the problems and by-year sections to weigh them.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota Highlander

2006 648 complaints, 11 recalls
2008 602 complaints, 12 recalls
2015 196 complaints, 1 recall
2016 117 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 this page
2018 274 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Toyota Highlander

Other Toyota models from 2017

2017 Toyota Corolla 190 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 Toyota Land Cruiser 4 complaints, 1 recall
2017 Toyota RAV4 321 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 Toyota Tacoma 243 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 Toyota Tundra 78 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 Toyota Yaris 31 complaints, 3 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2017: small suvs

2017 Jeep Compass 229 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Jeep Patriot 59 complaints, 0 recalls
2017 Jeep Wrangler 311 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 Kia Sorento 807 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Kia Sportage 402 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Land Rover Discovery 94 complaints, 5 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 274 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Toyota Highlander (18 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 26 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Highlander model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 28 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
77 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
53 complaints name the unknown or other component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,000). NHTSA vehicle records
52 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,800). NHTSA vehicle records
47 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
30 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,500). NHTSA vehicle records
29 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,950). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V682, filed November 4, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V520, filed August 23, 2017: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V295, filed May 2, 2017: Tires › Temporary / Emergency Spare Tire. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Highlander, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 24 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Highlander LE/XLE/SE/LTD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Highlander, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Highlander AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Highlander AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Highlander Hybrid AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 27 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Highlander AWD LE, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2017 Toyota Highlander with 2.7L 4-cylinder: rated 185 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2017 Toyota Highlander with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 256 to 295 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2017 Toyota Highlander: problems, recalls and fuel economy