2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota Highlander. This model year has 252 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2017 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Uncategorized Issues
Electrical Faults
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2017 Toyota Highlander. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 65 | 2 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 49 | 6 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 46 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 45 | 2 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 29 | 5 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 27 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 13 | 4 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 9 | 6 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Carry Handle | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Shell | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Base | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 252 most recent complaints
In January during an oil change i was advised that my Toyota had a timing cover leak which is a costly repair. At this time my car was at 148k. i researched it recently and found that it could be dangerous to drive with this leak that Toyota did not advise me about after i had se…
On April 5, 2026, my 2017 Toyota Highlander was involved in a side‑impact (T‑bone) collision on the front & rear passenger side. I was seated in the front passenger seat. The impact was hard enough that my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. During the crash, I s…
The radar cruise control system on my 2017 Toyota Highlander is not functioning properly and creates a safety hazard. When initially setting the radar cruise control, the system works as expected. I can accelerate to a desired speed, press the “set” control, and the vehicle maint…
Power training went out I-70 in warren county mo where all the construction is. It put my 4 autistic kids in danger. No insurance looked at the vehicle. However a mechanic did look and diagnosed it which look over a week for. Kaizen auto in wentzville mo diagnosed it
The component that has been deemed in need of replacement is the UA80 8-speed transmission. It is available for inspection as of today's date, April 1, 2026. My and my family's safety has been put at risk of the transmission failing, especially at highway speeds. The problem was …
Purchased a brand new 2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 9 years ago. I followed all recommended maintenance and service schedules from the manufacturer. There has always been a faint whine noise present during acceleration. In December of 2023 and about 112,000 miles the transmission be…
March 5th purchased a battery from Autozone Z net Fit Match that caused cascading electrical and life -safety risk while traveling from hewitt, TX to Washington DC for our families spring break trip including 4 minor children. Component: 12-Volt Battery / Electrical System / Powe…
My husband and I were driving down the highway when the front part of our sun roof shattered.
Transmission failed in May 2025, around 95,000 miles. Had to have entire transmission replaced. Shop said metal filings were found in the fluids, leading to the breakdown and need for full replacement. No other warning lights or lamps indicated a problem. A high pitched whining n…
Transmission yes it’s available for inspection rite now on vacation on a very steep hill the transmission quit pulling at the top of the hill in the middle of a very narrow street and we had to ease backwards down to a place on the hill to turn around and get to level ground all …
Purchased my 2017 Highlander in June of 2017. At 4912 miles noticed the transmission was slipping. Contacted the dealership and was told from an employee that in his 20 plus years he had never had a transmission do that. Took it to the dealership and it was the transmission. It w…
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken to a dealer for routine maintenance, the dealer informed the contact that the rear main seal was leaking and needed to be resealed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not…
I had problems in gear shift the car when start moving it’s go very slow it’s need about 1 minute to change the shift. The Toyota dealership recommended me to change the transmission with the cost $11,000
-- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? This report is regarding a premature transmission failure in our 2017 Toyota Highlander equipped with the UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission. Our highlander is currently stuck…
I own a 2017 Toyota Highlander with 6 cylinders (engine model 2GR-FKS). It has 107,000 miles. I brought it to my dealer for inspection and service, and noted that it was making a whirring/whining sound upon acceleration. There were no warning messages on the dashboard to alert me…
I drive a 2017 Toyota Highlander and am having issues with the transmission. The issues and poor craftsmanship on the UA80 8-speed transmissions. Toyota offered Technical Service Bulletins T-SB-0160-18, T-SB-0008-21, and a limited Customer Support Program (CSP ZJC). But very few …
Vehicle shurtter cause toque converter issue with all Toyota Highlander
Was on drive from work in 2017 toyota highlander XLE. Noticed low whining sound coming from transmission. Made appointment with toyota dealership. They identified transmission whine as requiring full replacement and projected to fail soon. Vehicle mileage was at 116k miles…
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for service, the contact was informed that the engine was leaking due to a timing chain failure. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be taken apart …
The paint on the hood is flaking off. There is no reason other than the paint being defective for this to happen in this manner. We just noticed it today. 11/14/25
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2017 Toyota Highlander.
Recalls for 2017 Toyota Highlander
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2017 Toyota Highlander. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2017 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2017 Toyota Highlander has 252 NHTSA owner complaints, 17 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (65 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Highlander?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (65 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (49 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (46 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Toyota Highlander?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2017 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2017 Toyota Highlander has 17 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 252 total NHTSA complaints. 26 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?▾
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2017 Toyota Highlander. The largest issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2017 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2017 Toyota Highlander has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2017 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.