Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2017 Toyota Highlander: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, most recently filed November 2020. Owners have filed 268 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2017 Toyota Highlander. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2017 Toyota Highlander. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V682000 Filed Nov 4, 2020

Fuel Pump May Fail

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
92.2% repairedof 1,525,742 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V682000
Listed for 2017 Toyota Highlander. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V520000 Filed Aug 23, 2017

Improperly Torqued Roof Rails Fastener

Equipment
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
74.7% repairedof 1,121 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V520000
Listed for 2017 Toyota Highlander. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V295000 Filed May 2, 2017

Spare Tire Air Pressure may be Incorrect

Tires · temporary/emergency spare tire
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
58% repairedof 409 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V295000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (268)

268 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

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

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 268.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2017 compares with other Highlander years

Best and worst Highlander years →
2013201420152016201720182019202020212022
This year (2017)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 18.5%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2017 Toyota Highlander suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined

29
mpg combined
30
city
28
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,300
CO₂ tailpipe
305 g/mi
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,252per year
$188per month
517gallons a year

Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2017 Toyota Highlander configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.5 L 6-cyl · AV-S6 CVTAll-Wheel Drive30 / 28 / 29$2,300305
3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 27 / 23$2,900384
3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900391
3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900390
2.7 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 24 / 22$3,050407
3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22$3,050398
3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050405

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2017 Highlander for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Highlander years

Where to next

2017 Toyota Highlander FAQ

How many recalls does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 20V682000 (fuel pump), 17V520000 (equipment), 17V295000 (tire). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2017 Toyota Highlander problems?

Owners filed 268 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (74), Unknown or other (53), Electrical system (46) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2017 Toyota Highlander get?

EPA rates the 3.5 L 6-cyl · AV-S6 CVT version at 30 city, 28 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2017 Toyota Highlander get?

NHTSA rated the 2017 Toyota Highlander suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (18.5% rollover risk).

How does the 2017 Highlander compare with other years?

Among the 2013–2021 Toyota Highlander model years at least five years old, the 2016 drew the fewest complaints (111) and the 2021 the most (527). The 2017 drew 268. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.