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 OFF THE ROAD. I PULLED OFF, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND IT STARTED RUNNING AGAIN. I'M LUCKY I WAS NOT REAR END…
2017 Toyota Highlander powertrain problems
severe 64 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
64
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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.
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED JOLTING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. ONCE AT A FULL STOP, THE CAR DID NOT SHUT OFF. INSTEAD, ONCE I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I SHIFTED INTO PARK, BACK TO DRIVE, REVERSE, AND EVEN MANUAL BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I WAS STUCK ON A ROAD WHERE CARS DRIVE 60-70 MPH IF THE LIGHT IS GREEN I WAS AFRAID THAT I W…
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 72 MPH WHEN VEHICLE DIED CAUSING A POTENTIALLY VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, SEE DEALER FOR REPAIR MESSAGE DISPLAYED. WAS ABLE TO LIMP TO SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER 2 DAYS OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (LESS THAN 12,000 MILES ON VEHICLE). …
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. There are no ua80 trans available in US and none coming in. Was told my VIN didn't qualify for CRP CJZ and TSB bul…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 64 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.