2017 Toyota Highlander Safety Report

2017 Toyota Highlander: Strong Crash Safety, but Significant Transmission Reliability Concerns

245Complaints
4Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
24Injuries
Most reported components: Power Train (46)Unknown Or Other (25)Engine (15)Fuel/Propulsion System (15)Visibility/Wiper (12)Electrical System (11)Electrical System,Engine (8)Fuel System, Gasoline (8)Service Brakes (8)Electrical System,Unknown Or Other (7)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Toyota Highlander

The 2017 Toyota Highlander presents a generally strong safety profile, evidenced by its excellent NHTSA crash test ratings, achieving an Overall 5-star rating with 5 stars in Side impact and 4 stars in Frontal and Rollover tests. However, a deeper dive into the 245 consumer complaints reveals a significant pattern of issues, particularly concerning the POWER TRAIN, which accounts for 46 complaints. Many of these complaints specifically detail premature transmission failures, harsh shifting, and whining noises, often occurring at mileages ranging from 30,000 to over 100,000 miles. While there are no reported crashes or fires, 24 injuries have been associated with these complaints, highlighting potential safety risks from mechanical failures. The vehicle has been subject to four recalls, addressing critical components such as the fuel pump, aftermarket windshields affecting the ECM, accessory roof rail cross bars, and temporary spare tire inflation. The fuel pump recall (affecting 2017-2019 Highlanders) is particularly concerning as a failure can lead to engine stalling and increased crash risk. Similarly, the aftermarket windshield recall could lead to ECM damage and engine stalling. These recalls demonstrate Toyota's proactive approach to addressing identified safety defects, but the high volume of power train complaints suggests an underlying reliability issue not fully captured by recalls. In summary, while the 2017 Toyota Highlander performs exceptionally well in controlled crash tests, its real-world reliability is significantly impacted by widespread transmission issues. The consistent pattern of power train complaints, including complete transmission failures and related driving hazards, indicates a notable area of concern for owners. Prospective buyers should be aware of these mechanical vulnerabilities despite the strong crash safety ratings.

Reliability Score

The 2017 Toyota Highlander receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2017 Toyota Highlander

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Toyota Highlander:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Transmission Failure/Malfunction
Numerous complaints detail premature transmission failure, harsh/delayed shifting, whining noises, and complete loss of power, often requiring full replacement. Metal filings found in fluid and issues with the UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission are frequently cited.		 High Common 30000-120000 miles
Fuel Pump Failure
Subject of a recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 20V012000). If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Complaints mention difficulty starting after fueling and knocking noises.		 High Occasional unknown miles
Engine Oil Leaks (Rear Main Seal, Timing Chain)
Complaints mention rear main seal leaks and timing chain failures leading to engine oil leaks, requiring significant repairs.		 Medium Occasional 100000-120000 miles
Accessory Roof Rail Detachment
Subject of a recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 17V516000). Fasteners for accessory roof rail cross bars may not be torqued correctly, leading to loosening and potential detachment, becoming a road hazard.		 Medium Rare unknown miles
Aftermarket Windshield Ecm Damage
Subject of a recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 19E076000) for certain aftermarket windshields. An attached wire harness could damage the ECM, potentially causing engine stalling and increasing crash risk.		 High Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Toyota Highlander:

Power Train 18% of complaints

The most frequently reported issue, with 46 complaints, primarily involves transmission failures, harsh shifting, whining noises, and complete loss of power, often requiring costly replacements.

Unknown Or Other 10% of complaints

25 complaints fall into this category, indicating a variety of miscellaneous issues not fitting specific component categories.

Engine 6% of complaints

15 complaints related to the engine, including issues like oil leaks (rear main seal, timing chain) and knocking noises.

Fuel/Propulsion System 6% of complaints

15 complaints, including issues related to the fuel pump, difficulty starting after fueling, and fuel line deterioration.

Visibility/Wiper 4% of complaints

12 complaints, including issues like sunroof shattering and paint flaking on the hood.

Electrical System 4% of complaints

11 complaints, including airbag malfunction warnings and general electrical system issues.

Service Brakes 3% of complaints

8 complaints related to the braking system.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Toyota Highlander

Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 Toyota Highlander received excellent crash test ratings, including a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score. However, it has 245 consumer complaints, with 24 resulting in injuries, primarily due to significant power train issues like transmission failures, which could pose safety risks during driving. There are also 4 recalls addressing various safety concerns.

What are common problems with the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

The most reported issues for the 2017 Toyota Highlander are related to the POWER TRAIN, with 46 complaints, predominantly concerning premature transmission failures, harsh shifting, and whining noises. Other common problems include issues with the ENGINE (15 complaints), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (15 complaints), and VISIBILITY/WIPER (12 complaints).

Are there any recalls for the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Yes, the 2017 Toyota Highlander has 4 recalls. These include recalls for a potentially failing fuel pump that can cause engine stalling, certain aftermarket windshields that could damage the ECM and lead to engine stalling, accessory roof rail cross bars that may detach, and temporary spare tires that may not be properly inflated.

How does the 2017 Toyota Highlander perform in crash tests?

The 2017 Toyota Highlander performed very well in NHTSA crash tests, achieving an Overall 5-star rating. It received 4 stars for Frontal crash, 5 stars for Side crash, and 4 stars for Rollover resistance.

What mileage do transmission problems typically occur in the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Based on consumer complaints, transmission problems in the 2017 Toyota Highlander are reported across a wide range, often starting around 30,000 miles and extending past 100,000 miles, with many failures occurring between 60,000 and 95,000 miles.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2017 Toyota Highlander boasts excellent crash safety ratings, prospective buyers should be highly cautious of the prevalent and severe transmission issues reported by numerous owners; a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on the power train is strongly recommended.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Toyota Highlander

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Toyota Highlander. The data includes 245 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 24 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Toyota Highlander an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.