NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 275 owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota Highlander (including the hybrid).
Recalled components: fuel system, equipment, and tires. Most-described problem: loss of power or limp mode (34 complaints, 12%). Most-reported area: powertrain (78 complaints, 28%; median mileage when it happened: 20,000).
One of the best Highlander years by owner complaints
The 2017 drew 85 owner complaints in its first three years, against 114 for a typical Highlander year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.
No Highlander year stands out enough to avoid; best years: 2016 and 2017. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
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 expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
NHTSA listing: HIGHLANDER. Toyota campaign 20TA02, 20LA01.
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.
The fix and full notice
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.
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2017 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles equipped with accessory roof rail cross bars.
NHTSA listings: HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID. Toyota campaign 17R3.
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.
The fix and full notice
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.
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.
NHTSA listings: HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID. Toyota campaign 17R2.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA also lists 1 equipment recall for parts sold for this vehicle, not the vehicle itself: Electrical system (Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry C, 18E-107).
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2017 Toyota Highlander.
What owners report
Owners have filed 275 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Highlander. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Loss of power or limp mode34 · 12%
Median 27,800 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Median 20,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
Engine49 · 18%
Median 18,600 miles at failure, from 24 reports with mileage
Electrical system47 · 17%
Median 35,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Brakes30 · 11%
Fuel and propulsion system29 · 11%
Speed control13 · 5%
Visibility/wiper13 · 5%
Unknown or other53 · 19%
Median 18,000 miles at failure, from 27 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Toyota Highlander recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2017 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2019 Highlander drew the most (152) and the 2017 drew 85.
Owner complaints
2017: 275 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Toyota Highlander
Model year
Complaints
2010
238
2011
187
2012
191
2013
212
2014
138
2015
197
2016
117
2017
275
2018
281
2019
517
2020
332
2021
554
2022
273
2023
201
2024
43
2025
11
2026
4
Safety recalls
2017: 3 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Toyota Highlander
Model year
Recalls
2010
11
2011
5
2012
2
2013
3
2014
4
2015
1
2016
2
2017
3
2018
4
2019
3
2020
5
2021
5
2022
6
2023
9
2024
7
2025
4
2026
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What are the most common 2017 Highlander problems?
In the 275 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, the problems described most are loss of power or limp mode (34), transmission failure or replacement (30), and the check engine light coming on (27). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2017 Toyota Highlander earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2017 Toyota Highlander.
How do I check if my Highlander has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Toyota dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.