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2017 Toyota Highlander

HybridGas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
8 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA267
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA29 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize or large SUV with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 267 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Highlander Hybrid AWD LE PlusHybridAWD3.5L 6-cyl + 288V Ni-MH302829$2,150
Highlander Hybrid AWDHybridAWD3.5L 6-cyl + 288V Ni-MH292728$2,250
HighlanderGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl202723$2,700
Highlander AWD LEGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl202723$2,700
Highlander LE/XLE/SE/LTDGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl212723$2,700
HighlanderGasFWD2.7L 4-cyl202422$2,850
Highlander AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl202622$2,850
Highlander AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl192622$2,850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38426, 38425, 38416, 38427, 38415, 38414, 38423, 38424.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TA02, 20LA01
1,525,742 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200,RiskIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota 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
NHTSA campaign 20V682000reported Nov 4, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Equipment

17R3
1,121 vehicles
ProblemGulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2017 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles equipped with accessory roof rail cross bars. The fasteners for the roof rails may not be torqued properly.RiskThe roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.FixGST 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V520000reported Aug 23, 2017Gulf States Toyota, Inc.
▲high

Tires

17R2
409 vehicles
ProblemGulf 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. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.RiskA spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.FixGulf 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V295000reported May 2, 2017Gulf States Toyota, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
267complaints filed

18 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 26 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 30 · 2018: 28 · 2019: 27 · 2020: 20 · 2021: 40 · 2022: 15 · 2023: 29 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 29 · 2026: 27

Most-cited components

Power Train71
Unspecified52
Engine48
Electrical System47
Fuel/Propulsion System29
Service Brakes28

What owners describe

“When the vehicle was ~1.5 years old following its 10,000 mile maintenance, substantial thumping generated from the rear of the vehicle. Each time, the dealership attempted to resolve the problem finding issues with struts; however, it only went away in late March after having the vehicle in the shop for weeks at a time…”Jan 18, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VIN: [XXX] I purchased my Highlander new in 2017 and I have had consistent electrical issues. The radio has consistently fluctuated between bass, treble, and off for no apparent reason. I have taken my vehicle to the dealer 4 times and still no change. I have replaced the battery 3 times although…”Dec 14, 2021 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“I purchased my Highlander new in 2017 and I have had consistent electrical issues. I the radio has consistently fluctuated between bass, treble, and off for no apparent reason. I have taken my vehicle to the dealer 4 times and still no change. I have replaced the battery 3 times although I only have 25,000 miles on 55,…”Dec 10, 2021 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: lane departure warning.

Other Highlander model years

A

2026 Toyota Highlander

0 recalls · 2 complaints

B

2025 Toyota Highlander

3 recalls · 9 complaints

F

2024 Toyota Highlander

7 recalls · 42 complaints

F

2023 Toyota Highlander

9 recalls · 186 complaints

D

2022 Toyota Highlander

6 recalls · 244 complaints

D

2021 Toyota Highlander

5 recalls · 520 complaints

D

2020 Toyota Highlander

5 recalls · 320 complaints

B

2019 Toyota Highlander

3 recalls · 483 complaints

C

2018 Toyota Highlander

4 recalls · 269 complaints

B

2016 Toyota Highlander

2 recalls · 115 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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