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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is associated with 267 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 54 reports (20% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.5L 6-Cyl hybrid, 3.5l 6-cyl, and 2.7l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 22 to 29 MPG combined. The 2017 Toyota Highlander belongs to the 3rd generation (XU50) Highlander platform spanning model years 2015–2019.

Platform Architecture: 3rd Generation (XU50) • Production Span: 2015–2019 • Platform Code: K • Lifecycle Note: Facelift (2017–2019)
Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 267 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (54 / 20%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 18 crash / 2 fire / 15 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 22–29 MPG across 8 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus Hybrid 3.5L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (AV-S6) 30 MPG 28 MPG 29 MPG — $2,100 / yr
Highlander Hybrid AWD Hybrid 3.5L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (AV-S6) 29 MPG 27 MPG 28 MPG — $2,200 / yr
Highlander LE/XLE/SE/LTD 3.5L 6-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) 21 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Highlander 3.5L 6-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Highlander AWD LE 3.5L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Highlander 2.7L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 20 MPG 24 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Highlander AWD 3.5L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) 20 MPG 26 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Highlander AWD 3.5L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) 19 MPG 26 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
SUV FWD 18.5%
SUV AWD 16.900000000000002%
HV SUV AWD 16.900000000000002%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2017 Toyota Highlander models.
View complete 2017 Toyota Highlander crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Summary of 267 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
267
Crash Reports
18
Fire Reports
2
Complaints w/ Injury
15
Total Injuries
26

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 54 complaints
Engine 16 complaints
Fuel & Propulsion System 16 complaints (1 crash)
Visibility & Wipers 12 complaints (1 crash)
Electrical System 11 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2017 Toyota Highlander problems & component breakdown (68 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #20V682000 Active Recall
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Defect 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
NHTSA Campaign #18E107000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Defect Summary: 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).

Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #17V520000 Active Recall
Affected Component: EQUIPMENT

Defect 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2017 Toyota Highlander recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2017 Toyota Highlander

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2017 Toyota Highlander

How many safety recalls does the 2017 Toyota Highlander have?

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is associated with 4 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 4 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

NHTSA records list 267 consumer defect complaints for the 2017 Toyota Highlander. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 54 filings (20% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2017 Toyota Highlander defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2017 Toyota Highlander earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 3 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2017 Toyota Highlander get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2017 Toyota Highlander range from 22 to 29 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.