FaultScore

2017 Toyota Highlander other reported problems

52 of the 369 complaints about the 2017 Toyota Highlander are about the other systems — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 18,000 miles.

D

52

Complaints

7

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Unknown OR Other 52 100.0%

Other & Unspecified across every Toyota Highlander year

2002 14 2.5%
2008 16 2.8%
2010 15 2.7%
2011 14 2.5%
2012 24 4.3%
2013 23 4.1%
2014 33 5.9%
2015 42 7.5%
2016 21 3.7%
2017 52 9.3%
2018 42 7.5%
2019 78 13.9%
2020 41 7.3%
2021 62 11.0%
2022 34 6.0%
2023 38 6.8%
2024 13 2.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Brandon, VT

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving down the road about 50 miles an hour just south of otter Valley Union, high school and Brandon Vermont when I heard an extremely loud poof/thud sound. It also caused my ears to pop. I pulled over and realized it was the front sunroof that had basically shattered. Now there is a big hole and it’s just getting bigger. I was in a clear area with no overhanging trees. There were no vehicles in front of me or passing me in the opposite direction. I was alone on the road at around 8:30 in the morning.

NHTSA complaint #11757262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ossining, NY Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

bought the car in 2018 and ever since it makes a rttling noise, Toyota says it is the hybrid system engaigeing, hybrid cars are not supposed to make noise.

NHTSA complaint #11744157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milwaukee, WI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

At 119500 miles a eev whining noise started. Only had all repairs done at a dealership.

NHTSA complaint #11741694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Antelope, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

In January during an oil change i was advised that my Toyota had a timing cover leak which is a costly repair. At this time my car was at 148k. i researched it recently and found that it could be dangerous to drive with this leak that Toyota did not advise me about after i had several phone calls with their corporate office and dealership. And even though it is a common problem with their 2017 Highlander they would not take responsibility for fixing it. It was disappointing after getting all of the service recommendations done that i would have to pay $4500.00 for engine work for a seven year old vehicle. This cost was a hardship for me because I'm still making a car payment. I also had to replace the battery every 1.5 years. The battery warning light never came on, leaving me stuck at an intersection until the tow truck arrived. It cut off because of the start/ stop feature and that would not start again. No warning. And after about 15 minutes my hazard lights went dead. This is an ongoing issue.

NHTSA complaint #11733634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

California, MO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My husband and I were driving down the highway when the front part of our sun roof shattered.

NHTSA complaint #11721990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cross Plains, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Transmission yes it’s available for inspection rite now on vacation on a very steep hill the transmission quit pulling at the top of the hill in the middle of a very narrow street and we had to ease backwards down to a place on the hill to turn around and get to level ground all this happened with no previous warning

NHTSA complaint #11711914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakewood, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car is shaking heavily when stopped. Several misfires while engaging the brakes. Mechanic is telling me that he has seen many vehicles of this model with faulty purge valves.

NHTSA complaint #11667917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woonsocket, RI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Several weeks ago my wife noticed that the vehicle skids when accelerating and she told me about the situation. I hardly drive the vehicle because I was not aware of the situation, but today I drove it and realized what is happening. I am not a mechanic to give a diagnosis of the situation. For me it could be the transmission and it only has 85K. I'm going to do the next oil change at the dealer. Right now I do them at Firestone, it's close to my house and for me it's more convenient.

NHTSA complaint #11613212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greencastle, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Water pump has failed at approx 80,000 miles.

NHTSA complaint #11579644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Davie, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Hi- i have always upkeep the maintenance on my vehicle and take pride taking care of it . But now out of nowhere my vehicle throttle was loose the mechanics can’t explain why and now the transmission is not working i have explained to them them driving the car does seem to stop them feels like it wasn’t to accelerate while driving. I don’t know if anyone else have reported this issue but it doesn’t make sense that for a vehicle le that’s been greatly taken care of the transmission is went out .

NHTSA complaint #11573636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ludowici, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I had my battery replaced about 3 days ago at the Toyota dealership . Yesterday, I was stopped at a red light and when I attempted to drive, the vehicle stalled. “Braking power low” message on the dashboard and the car would not restart. I was able to jump start it after about 30 minutes. I got towed to a local repair shop who could not identify or duplicate the issue. I had no warning indicators other than failing to start the morning of getting the battery replaced 3 days ago.

NHTSA complaint #11563939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Toledo, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car won’t start after getting gas. Check engine like comes off and on. Rough stopping and getting up to speed. When issue with getting to speed on highway put us in dangers way. Not being able to start vehicle multiple times for long period concerning and frightening for family.

NHTSA complaint #11536398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blytheville, AR Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My vehicle lost power while driving on the interstate. I pulled over and smoke started coming from under the hood. Flames then started approximate 10-20 seconds later. Flames consumed the vehicle for a total loss. My insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Toyota stated they are investigating the issue. The police and fire department were present. The loss of power happened with no warning. There was a brief flash of the check engine light followed by a low power mode warning. I had just pulled over off of the interstate. This happened within 30 seconds of the vehicle catching on fire.

NHTSA complaint #11487549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenville, AL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

"Clicking" sound in steering wheel when barely turning wheel. Can also feel the "click" in the steering wheel. Was told it is a driving shaft problem - that this has been an ongoing problem with Toyota's, yet there has not been a recall. This needs to be looked into and the appropriate recall needs to be made to correct the faulty drive shafts.

NHTSA complaint #11486469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warrensburg, MO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My Highlander was off and parked in my driveway. I was inside my home and I heard what sounded like a car alarm that was cutting out. I went outside to find out it was my car. However, it wasn't the alarm. It's a completely different pitch/tone that the car horn or the panic button. I proceeded to unlock the car, turned the car on and off a couple times, honked the horn, opened and closed the hood, etc and whatever sound was going off continued to go off even while the car was on. Whatever it was sounded like it had a short in it. Even my neighbors came out of their home. The sound eventually stopped and I went inside. 20 minutes later the sound started again. After it stopped, it happened again, for a short period. It was on a Saturday after dealerships were closed. The next day it happened again in the evening. It stopped right as I got outside. It's a nusiance to myself and my neighbors, it's loud, it's embarrassing, and the fact it continues to sound when my car is on concerns me because if it starts sounding while I'm in traffic or on the highway, it could cause major safety issues. No lights on the dash, battery tested good, literally no explanation.

NHTSA complaint #11478071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Church Point, LA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have a 2017 Highlander, there have been several occasions the latest being 5/21/2022 that when trying to start I get "Braking Power Low" Stop in Safe Place and SUV does not start, after several attempts it starts. I called the Toyota dealership where I purchased SUV, asked if they knew about this issue and was informed, they have no knowledge and never heard of this issue, I looked online and found there have been some complaints. For now, my SUV starts after several attempts, but I am concerned that in the future it may not start and am not sure what to do. Are there or will there be any recalls on this issue? I'm sure the dealership (Toyota) will be more than happy to have me pay to fix this problem when it comes to that, but I feel this Toyota issue.

NHTSA complaint #11465949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Front windshield cracked in 2 location due to stress. No impact of any kind. West Kendall Toyota in Kendall, Miami wants me to file Insurance and have repairs done by Safelite Autoglass. This is a Toyota Manufacturers problem. The new windshield should be OEM and needs quality front camera calibration. Kendall Toyota’s phone : 305 536 3255

NHTSA complaint #11444152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

El Cajon, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The hands free calling feature has a serious echo when calling to the driver while on the road making it useless to use. It is California law states that calls made while driving must be hands free. This problem has existed since the car was purchased new. It forces the driver to handle incoming calls using a cell phone without the hands free while driving. My wife and I want Toyota to repair our car free of charge . My wife and I researched this problem on line and apparently this is a ongoing issue with Toyota’s 2019 and older. We want it fixed or we shall move forward with the lemon lemon law.

NHTSA complaint #11438156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Levittown, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The stop/start feature on the 2017 Highlander appeared to fail. In stop and go traffic, the vehicle stalled. And would not start. The vehicle started back up with a battery boost. This incident presented a danger to the person in this vehicle and other vehicles around it. The vehicle was brought to Toyota Service. They could not reproduce the issue. A fault was found in the battery, the battery was replaced. Approximately 11 days later. This vehicle came to a stop at a red light, stop/start feature engaged. The vehicle did not start back up, it stalled.

NHTSA complaint #11437069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kissimmee, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

It being 4 time that the car shut off by itself while My wife driving in the middle of road and it won’t start the first time happer last year,second tine around April or may, third time yesterday 8/31/21,and today 9/01/21

NHTSA complaint #11431385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arvada, CO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission failure & power steering control replacement. Yes available to inspect How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? We were on a family trip with two young kids in the mountains and going very low speeds... maybe 10 miles per hour. Our car stopped working. In the middle of a rush hour in heat at the top of the mountain, we had to get from the far left lane to the far right to stop. While trying to get over, the car jerked, revved, and we almost got into accidents because I just couldn't get the car to go without delayed reactions and then jerked to a fast motion. VERY UNSAFE! At the same time, check engine light, ABD, and sensor lights flashed on. I got on the side to turn the car off and on again and tried to go a little at a snail pace speed and still the same thing happened. We had to get towed over 100 miles away to our home with young kids. When we got it looked at, the transmission company let me know we had to replace it and we had a unsalvageable transmission and we needed to purchase a new one. He also ,mentioned he was suspicious because he doesnt regularly get my type of car but coincidentally he has seen at least 3 with the same make model and even color in his shop in the last couple of months. The sensor lights were a completely separate problem that happened at the same exact time, very suspicious. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes on both issues Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? only transmission company and certified Toyota servicer Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Both warning lights appeared after the first jerking and dangerous switching lanes event. once we got over, all lights came on

NHTSA complaint #11430356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delano, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2017 Toyota Highlander just stop working all of sudden, I can’t start the engine at all it says in the dashboard boaster power low/ park in the side in safe place. I was trying to start the engine it since it’s 102 outside and I have my baby with me. I search it online and find out that toyota has recall for the same problem but only for 2018 Toyota Highlander. I can’t even drive my car to the dealer/mechanic since I can’t even start it all. Driving with this type of vehicle with same problem is really danger. The toyota should check inspect all their vehicle first for safely of everyone.

NHTSA complaint #11428747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bedford, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Factory installed running board traction points melting, sticking to shoes, trip/safety hazard as well as potential for burns

NHTSA complaint #11427534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Broomfield, CO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When turning on the car the emergency hybrid system states to put in P and take foot off brake. Car will not stop. When in car wash on neutral car would not go into drive and rolled out and was able to find spot but couldn’t turn off and back on. Has occurred multiple times. Multiple Warning lights on dash light up when it occurs.

NHTSA complaint #11418759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Lindon, UT

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. NOTHING HIT ME. JUST A LOAD EXPLOSION. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS BULGING UPWARD, WITH A BIG HOLE IN IT.

NHTSA complaint #11399445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,832 miles Dundalk, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS OUT FOR HEADING HOME & MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED & PUSHED THE START ENGINE BUTTON. THE VEHICLE JUST MADE A RAPID CLICKING NOISE. THERE WAS A "BRAKING POWER LOW/ STOP IN A SAFE PLACE" LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. HAVING BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 8 WKS I WAITED & TRIED TO GET THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE UP POSITION. TRIED STARTING AGAIN;RESULTS THE SAME. CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP,WAS TOLD TO TOW IT IN FOR A DIAGNOTSTIC. AGAIN, I TRIED THE BRAKE PEDAL/ START SEQUENCE: NO LUCK. THE DASH MESSAGE CENTER LIGHT REAPPEARED IMMEDIATELY OVER-LAPPED BY "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSH ENGINE SWITCH TO START"(BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED). TRIED ONE MORE TIME TO START RESULTS THE SAME. THEN THE "CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION/ STOP IN A SAFE PLACE/ SEE OWNER'S MANUAL" LIGHT APPEARED IN THE DASH. FINALLY STARTED 3 HOURS LATER: I DROVE HOME. WENT TO LOCAL DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY. WENT TO MY REGULAR DEALERSHIP. ENROUTE, THE MESSAGE CENTER ON THE DASH FLASHED BRIGHT RED WITHOUT WORDS(@ 40MPH). MY REGULAR DEALERSHIP TESTED MY BATTERY, IT WAS FINE. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC; THEY SAID THE RESULT WAS A BAD COMPUTER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WAS GIVEN A LOANER VEHICLE. 2 WKS LATER THEY CALLED AND SAID AFTER MORE TESTING IT IS THE BATTERY, NOT THE COMPUTER.

NHTSA complaint #11391158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Commack, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CAR IS <4 YEARS OLD WITH 38,000 MILES AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I GOT A LIGHT THAT SAID LOW VOLTAGE TO ABS SYSTEM AND THEN EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND IT WOULDN'T RESTART. AFTER 30 MINUTES THE ENGINE RESTARTED WITH A SCREECHING SOUND FROM THE HOOD AND THEN TURNED IT OFF AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONED

NHTSA complaint #11387726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,000 miles Nitro, WV

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

BLUETOOTH DISCONNECTING

NHTSA complaint #11372312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Summerville, SC Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING IN A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH I HAD MY WINDOW WIPERS ON DUE TO SOME POLLEN ON MY WINDSHIELD. WHILE WINDOW WIPERS WERE ENGAGED I APPROACH A DOWNWARD HILL AND HIT NOTING BUT SUN GLARE BLINDING ME I PUT MY BRAKES ON BUT BY THAT TIME MY SUV SLAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE

NHTSA complaint #11318183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Oakton, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALER AS WELL AS APPLE THAT MY NEW PHONE, AN IPHONE 11 PRO, IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. THEY BOTH CLAIM THE OTHER NEEDS AN UPDATE, BUT NEITHER ONE HAS ANY IDEA WHEN THAT MAY HAPPEN. I CANNOT USE HANDS FREE BECAUSE THE PHONE CONTINUALLY CONNECTS AND DISCONNECTS TO THE CAR. THE SUGGESTION I GOT FROM THEM WAS TO TURN OFF MY BLUETOOTH AND NOT ALLOW THE PHONE TO CONNECT TO THE CAR. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH NO END IN SIGHT. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME THE CAR IS ON SMD THE PHONE CONNECTS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FROM NOVEMBER ON...

NHTSA complaint #11306726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2017 Toyota Highlander problems

← Full 2017 Toyota Highlander report