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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER
2017 · toyota

toyota Highlander problems

1 safety recall. 252 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
64 reports · avg $2,500
severe
electrical
42 reports · avg $850
severe
engine
21 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
visibility
15 reports · avg $350
severe
brakes
11 reports · avg $450
moderate
airbags
9 reports · avg $1,100
severe
fuel system
8 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
body
6 reports · avg $1,500
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2017 Highlander · fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER AUTONATION TOYOTA LOCATED AT 18700 STUDEBAKER RD,…
12/30/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385662.0
2017 Highlander · seatbelts Injury
THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT IS NOT ERGONOMICALLY PLACED, AND REACHING UP, BACK AND PULLING FORWARD WITH MY LEFT ARM TO ATTACH THE SEATBELT HAS DAMAGED MY LEFT SHOULDER (SEVERE TENDINITIS AND A PARTIALLY TORN ROTATOR CUFF). TO DATE PHYSICAL THERAPY HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE AND I MUST…
12/29/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11057407.0
2017 Highlander · powertrain
WHILE DRIVING UP THE I-5 GRAPEVINE AT 72 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO UNDER 20 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE DASH SAID AWD SYSTEM DISENGAGED OR ERROR OR SOME SIMILAR MESSAGE AND TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO GET…
12/29/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11057498.0
2017 Highlander · powertrain
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED/QUIT WORKING AT A STOP LIGHT IN CHEYENNE, WYOMING 28 DECEMBER 2018 WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS.
12/28/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11163830.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 17V520000 23/08/2017

Gulf States Toyota, Inc

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.

Common questions

Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 252 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Toyota Highlander is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 64 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 252 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 15 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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