Model year 2017 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2017 Toyota Highlander: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2017 Toyota Highlander at 22–29 mpg combined across 8 versions. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 274 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
3
EPA combined mpg
22–29
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as HIGHLANDER HYBRID.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2017 Toyota Highlander recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, newest first.
Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump
NHTSA 20V682000Reported Nov 4, 2020
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 20TA02, 20LA01)
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.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 17R3)
Units affected
1,121 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 17R2)
Units affected
409 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2017 Toyota Highlander fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2017 Toyota Highlander crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2017 Toyota Highlander NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2017 Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
16.9%
Optional
2017 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
16.9%
Optional
2017 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
18.5%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2017 Toyota Highlander owner complaints
Owners have filed 274 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Toyota Highlander, most recently on Oct 20, 2026. 18 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 26 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2017 Toyota Highlander complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Power train
76
Unknown or other
53
Engine
49
Electrical system
47
Fuel/propulsion system
29
Service brakes
28
Vehicle speed control
13
Visibility/wiper
13
Air bags
9
Fuel system, gasoline
8
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
