Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems

Owners filed 224 complaints about the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid with NHTSA between Feb 2017 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (45).

Complaints
224
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
24
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system45
  2. Power train45
  3. Engine42
  4. Service brakes27
  5. Fuel/propulsion system26
  6. Visibility/wiper13
  7. Vehicle speed control11
  8. Fuel system, gasoline9
  9. Air bags7
  10. Structure7
  11. Wheels6
  12. Steering4
  13. Seat belts4
  14. Exterior lighting4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201730
201828
201927
202020
202140
202215
202329
202422
202513

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

45 reports1 crash1 fire
“After getting gas, the vehicle will not start. It will crank and crank but not turn over, like it is starving for gas. Then after 10-15 minutes it will start barely and to keep it running I have to floor the accelerator. Any other time it starts just fine. There are also no codes causing a check engine light.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2025Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11673285

Power train

45 reports2 crashes
“Car suddenly began to slip out of gear and have difficulty shifting smoothly. After having car examined by 2 repair shops it was determined the UA80 Transmission needed replaced. Repair shop advised car was not safe to drive with this condition. Warning lights for Check Engine and Check AWD system and traction control came on at the same time as the slipping and rough shifting.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2025Power trainODI 11669058

Engine

42 reports2 crashes
“During the Multi Point Inspection, technician inspected the vehicle. He checked the engine, transmission, and cooling system, topping off all fluids. However, the engine was failing inspection as there was oil underneath the vehicle, which was also seen around the engine, due to an oil leak.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2024EngineODI 11609334

Service brakes

27 reports5 crashes
“With 22k miles on vehicle, car won’t start due to Brake power low fault. Battery was replaced in attempt to rectify problem with no success, vehicle will need to be towed in for repair.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2025Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11644883

Fuel/propulsion system

26 reports1 crash
“Toyota manufacturing issue-fuel line is manufactured incorrectly-had gas seeping into cab of vehicle and tailpipe. Severe safety issue Steering wheel/column sticks and almost lose control when driving due to a worn out coupler-poor design and manufacturing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2025Steering, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11634540

Visibility/wiper

13 reports1 crash
“There is a splotchy glare that appears on my windshield that makes it EXTREMELY difficult to see out the windshield in the rain. It is not fog, I have cleaned the inside and outside of the windshield, changed the wiper blades, tried the heated windshield feature, defrost, and seriously done everything and it does not go away unless direct sunlight is on it. Forget driving in the rain at night, I was unable to see the lines in the road and it's worse when headlights are facing your direction. I ran off the road and had to park my car until the rain passed. This is absolutely dangerous. The guys at the dealership were stumped as well. It happened to be raining as I was leaving after service and I showed him and he had no idea. It is across my entire windshield. Sometimes it depends on how light is shining on it. This needs to be a recall before someone is seriously hurt.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2022Visibility/wiperODI 11482315
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.