2017 Toyota Highlander problems and complaints

Owners have filed 267 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Toyota Highlander. The most-reported areas: Power Train (73), Unknown Or Other (53), Engine (46).

Key takeaways

  • 267 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 18 involve a crash, 2 a fire, 26 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Power Train7327%
Unknown Or Other5320%
Engine4617%
Electrical System4617%
Service Brakes2911%
Fuel/Propulsion System2810%
Vehicle Speed Control135%
Visibility/Wiper124%
Air Bags93%
Fuel System93%
Gasoline93%
Structure83%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2017 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD5/54/55/54/5
2017 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD5/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-09-21

The transmission had to be replaced. A warning message was displayed and we took the vehicle in and were told the transmission had to be replaced. Toyota Highlander transmission problems are most prominently reported in 2020–2022 V6 gas models using the UA80E 8-speed automatic transmission, as well as specific 2017–201...

Power Train,forward Collision Avoidance - filed 2026-09-21

customer support program ;; ZJC....Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, , in the subject vehicles that are equipped with a model UA80 transmission. There is a possibility that a washer tab, designed to prevent the...

Power Train - filed 2026-09-09

About a few weeks back we started noticing a whining noise while accelerating. For safety reason we are not using the truck for long distance driving. Yes, the problem was able to reproduce by an independent mechanic and confirmed. Has not been inspected by the manufacturer or any other. There are no warning lights on ...

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More for the 2017 Toyota Highlander

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.