Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 78, 7.8× a quiet Highlander year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 12k–37k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Highlander owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 20,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 78 (29%) | 12k–37k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 46 (17%) | 14k–44k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 49 (18%) | 15k–62k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 37 (14%) | 8k–56k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 29 (11%) | 10k–37k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Visibility and wipers | 15 (6%) | 6k–27k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 20,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 272 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 15 report an injury · 18 say the car was towed.
41 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
As I was turning left at a green arrow across a divided highway, the car stopped moving in the middle of the intersection.
Since I leased by highlander I have noticed that the car shifts very hard, sometimes sputtering between 5-10MPH and then accelerating.
At highway speeds or accelerating, a slight pause or loss of power is noticeable. It seems as if fuel is cut off or engine does not have maximum engine power to maintain speeds for very short periods of time.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 20,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Toyota Highlander: 4
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM). The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fasteners for the roof rails may not be torqued properly. The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label. A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 153
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Toyota Highlander. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking noise from the vacuum pump at idle
Some vehicles may experience an engine oil leak condition from the No.2 Oil pan
The purpose of this Tech Tip is to provide diagnostic tips to prevent misdiagnosis of the following DTC's and prevent repeat repairs
Neighbouring years
2016 Highlander: 111 complaints, keep it · 2018 Highlander: 275 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Toyota Highlander year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Highlander years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 78, 7.8× a quiet Highlander year. At 20,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 12k–37k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (78), electrical system (46), engine (49), fuel system (37), brakes (29). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 12k–37k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-682), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 18E107000), Equipment (NHTSA 17V-520), Tires (NHTSA 17V-295). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.