2017 Toyota Highlander: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 348 complaints
348
Total Complaints
20,380mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
32
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
8,000
25th Percentile
20,380
Median Mileage
40,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Power Train
60
Unknown Or Other
48
Electrical System
46
Engine
43
Service Brakes
28
Fuel/Propulsion System
27
Vehicle Speed Control
12
Visibility/Wiper
12
Body
8
Air Bags
8
Severity Assessment
32
Crashes
2
Fires
36
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SE AWD ("VEHICLE"). ON JANUARY 26, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 P.M., PACIFIC TIME, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE 10 FREEWAY NEAR THE LA BREA AVENUE EXIT. IT WAS DARK BUT CLEAR WITH LIGHT TO MEDIUM TRAFFIC. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND 80 MPH AND MERGING TOW..."
"2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SE AWD ("VEHICLE"). ON JANUARY 26, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 P.M., PACIFIC TIME, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE 10 FREEWAY NEAR THE LA BREA AVENUE EXIT. IT WAS DARK BUT CLEAR WITH LIGHT TO MEDIUM TRAFFIC. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND 80 MPH AND MERGING TOW..."
"2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SE AWD ("VEHICLE"). ON JANUARY 26, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 P.M., PACIFIC TIME, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE 10 FREEWAY NEAR THE LA BREA AVENUE EXIT. IT WAS DARK BUT CLEAR WITH LIGHT TO MEDIUM TRAFFIC. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND 80 MPH AND MERGING TOW..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Power Train
60 complaints
25th: 12,745 mi
Median: 20,400 mi
75th: 37,500 mi
Unknown Or Other
48 complaints
25th: 6,750 mi
Median: 18,000 mi
75th: 34,500 mi
Electrical System
46 complaints
25th: 22,200 mi
Median: 35,500 mi
75th: 41,750 mi
Engine
43 complaints
25th: 14,650 mi
Median: 20,400 mi
75th: 46,954 mi
Service Brakes
28 complaints
25th: 8,000 mi
Median: 14,750 mi
75th: 41,208 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 47
FL: 29
TX: 20
PA: 19
GA: 19
MD: 19
NY: 16
MO: 13
IL: 13
MA: 13
Who Files Complaints?
2.6%
Original Owners
97.4%
Second+ Owners
Toyota Highlander — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Electrical System
Campaign 18E107000 | 27/11/2018
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Campaign 17V520000 | 23/08/2017
The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Campaign 17V295000 | 02/05/2017
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 20V682000 | 04/11/2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 par
Extend Your Transmission Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
- Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
- Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
- Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
- Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately
Compare Toyota Highlander
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28