2017 Toyota Highlander problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (66) · Engine (24) · Fuel/Propulsion System (22)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Highlander model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
123 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2020-11-04 · campaign 20V682000 · 1,525,742 vehicles
Defect: 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 I
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
Visibility:windshield 2018-11-27 · campaign 18E107000 · 8,202 vehicles
Defect: Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
Risk: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
Equipment 2017-08-23 · campaign 17V520000 · 1,121 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Tires:temporary/Emergency Spare Tire 2017-05-02 · campaign 17V295000 · 409 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (265)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Electrical System 2025-08-20 · T-TT-0790-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
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 repairing refrigerant leaks.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 265 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-20 · Power Train“transmission whining, rough shifts at lower gears. dealership says my car doesn't fall under the secondary csp even though it has the same symptoms.…”
2026-10-08 · Power Train“transmission failure after whining noise, taken to toyota multiple times with no diagnosis. today was informed the transmission is failing by another mechanic. 193,000 miles. …”
2026-10-05 · Power Train“2017 ua80f awd toyota highlander transmission failure at 145,000 miles with regular maintenance. starts off delayed shifting and jerking when accelerating, accompanied with faint whistle/whirring sound from under the dash. with transmission falls under the toyota customer support program zjc tsb 016018. my vin did not fall in their vin database “r…”
2026-10-03 · Power Train“our toyota highlander xle which has 137000 miles on it has the very well documented "whine" issue with the ua80 transmission. this "whine" issue/failure has resulted in at least two tsb's to be generated by toyota and is considered the beginning stages of a total transmission failure. it impacts 2017 through at least 2022.the symptoms (whine sound/…”
2026-09-21 · Power Train“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 loosening of a nut inside the…”
2026-09-21 · Unknown Or Other“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 2017–2019. the repair shop was aware o…”
2026-09-09 · Power Train“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 the dashboard.…”
2026-08-27 · Engine“my 2017 toyota highlander, vin [xxx], has just under 85,000 miles. i was notified at the dealership (stevinson toyota in lakewood colorado) who inspected the vehicle yesterday that the vehicle has developed a timing cover oil leak on the passenger side. after further research i learned this is caused by premature failure of the factory applied fipg…”
2026-08-20 · Power Train“i had been shopping, as i attempted to increase speed, my car wouldn't respond. i smelled something burning and i switched lanes because i needed a safe place to stop. i turned onto [xxx] in pembroke (i think) and still had no forward (or backward) movement. the lower gears (d5 & d4 ) did not show on the dashboard indicator. i called my husband a…”
2026-08-16 · Unknown Or Other“i was driving down the road about 50 miles an hour just south of otter valley union, high school and brandon vermont when i heard an extremely loud poof/thud sound. it also caused my ears to pop. i pulled over and realized it was the front sunroof that had basically shattered. now there is a big hole and it’s just getting bigger. i was in a clear …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.