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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2017 Toyota Highlander has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 263 owner complaints, and gets about 29 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2017 Toyota Highlander

  • Engine 6-cyl 3.5L
  • Drive All-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Should you worry?

Be careful

Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

4 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Serious

What do owners report?

26 injuries reported

26 of 263 reports (~10%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

5 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2017.

  • 20152recalls
  • 20163recalls
  • 2017 · this car4recalls
  • 20185recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
5 / 5 stars
Frontal
4 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Optional
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

4 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Electrical System

    27/11/2018

    Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).

    How they fix it: 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.

  2. Equipment

    23/08/2017

    Gulf 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.

    How they fix it: 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.

  3. Tires

    02/05/2017

    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. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

    How they fix it: 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.

  4. Fuel System, Gasoline

    04/11/2020

    Toyota 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, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    How they fix it: 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.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2017.

  • 2015189reports
  • 2016109reports
  • 2017 · this car263reports
  • 2018260reports

263 owner reports on file

18 crash mentions 2 fire mentions 26 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 263 total reports.

  • POWER TRAIN 70 of 263

    I had been shopping, as I attempted to increase speed, my car wouldn't respond. I smelled something burning and I switched lanes because I needed a safe place to stop. I turned onto [XXX] in Pembroke (I think) and still had no forward (or

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 42 of 263

    Formal Complaint to NHTSA – Summary I am submitting this formal complaint regarding repeated mechanical and electrical failures involving my 2017 Toyota Highlander, purchased as a Toyota Gold-Certified vehicle with an extended Platinum War

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 33 of 263

    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

  • ENGINE 19 of 263

    The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken to a dealer for routine maintenance, the dealer informed the contact that the rear main seal was leaking and needed to be resealed. The vehicle wa

  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 16 of 263

    The engine stalled because the fuel pump is failing. We have found that many 2017 Toyota Highlanders have had the fuel pump recalled for this exact issue, yet our VIN is not included in this recall. We experienced the exact issue the recal

  • VISIBILITY/WIPER 12 of 263

    Driver side interior visor has failed and does not secure in place causing obstruction of view while driving.

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the Hybrid AWD LE Plus version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2017.

  • 201522mpg
  • 201622mpg
  • 2017 · this car29mpg
  • 201822mpg

$2,100

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 30 mpg
Highway driving 28 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 29 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to save about $500 on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

6-cyl 3.5L

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (AV-S6)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
6-cyl 3.5L
Cylinders
6
Displacement
3.5 L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (AV-S6)
Body
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recalls were fixed

This model has 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the electrical system). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the power train

Owners report problems with the power train more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2017 Toyota Highlander listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2017 Toyota Highlander? +

    NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, including the electrical system. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2017 Toyota Highlander get? +

    The EPA rates the 2017 Toyota Highlander at 29 mpg combined (30 city / 28 highway), about $2,100 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2017 Toyota Highlander? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2017 Toyota Highlander 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2017 Toyota Highlander? +

    Owners have filed 263 complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, including 18 involving a crash. The most-reported area is power train.

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