Toyota · Known Issues
2017 Toyota Highlander Problems: 17 Known Issues
2017 model year · 260+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2017 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2017 model year · 260+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2017 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
According to Au7o's analysis of 260+ owner reports, the 2017 Toyota Highlander has 17 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93 ($700-$1,100 repair) and Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Causing Engine Stalling (Recall 20V-012) ($0-$800 repair). The most commonly reported issue is AC Blower Motor Failure and Resistor Burnout with 260 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $1,800. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
TIRES
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
TIRES
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
+ 9 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's analysis of 260+ owner reports, the 2017 Toyota Highlander has 17 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93, Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Causing Engine Stalling (Recall 20V-012), AC Blower Motor Failure and Resistor Burnout. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2017 Toyota Highlander has 17 known issues documented across 260+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93 and Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Causing Engine Stalling (Recall 20V-012). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Toyota Highlander issues range from $0 to $1,800, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93, typically costs $700-$1,100 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The Highlander Hybrid uses a dedicated electric water pump to circulate coolant through the power inverter/converter, which runs separately from the engine cooling system. The electric pump wears out and stops circulating coolant, allowing the inverter and hybrid electronics to o… Repairs typically run $700-$1,100. Severity: high.
Certain Highlanders are part of Toyota's large Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall (NHTSA 20V-012). The pump's resin impeller can absorb fuel, swell, and crack, causing the pump to seize. This leads to rough running, hard starting, and engine stalling — potentially at speed and w… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: high.
The HVAC blower motor in 3rd-generation Highlanders commonly fails or operates intermittently. The blower motor resistor overheats and burns out, causing the fan to work only on the highest speed setting or stop completely. Moisture intrusion through the cabin air filter housing… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: medium.
Highlanders develop random/multiple-cylinder misfires (P0300) plus single-cylinder misfire codes from a cluster of common causes: failing ignition coils, worn spark plugs, a failing PCV valve creating a vacuum leak, and upper intake plenum gasket leaks (especially after a spark-p… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: medium.
Owners report a 'Charging System Malfunction' warning and intermittent hard-start / no-start conditions traced to a failing alternator that no longer maintains battery voltage. A healthy unit should read ~13.5–14.8 V at the battery with the engine running; below ~13 V confirms a… Repairs typically run $350-$950. Severity: medium.
The power liftgate on second- and third-generation Highlanders (and the Hybrid) is prone to the power lift arm/strut breaking away from the gate, which lets the driver-side hinge bow and can leave the hatch stuck open or unable to latch closed. A class action filed in 2025 (Morga… Repairs typically run $250-$1,500. Severity: medium.
Owners report steering-wheel shimmy and brake-pedal pulsation from warped/unevenly-deposited front rotors at surprisingly low mileage (some as early as 10,000–37,000 miles). The mechanism is usually uneven pad-material transfer ('rotor painting') from heat rather than literal war… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.
A widely reported Highlander complaint is a clunk, knock or rattle from the front suspension over bumps and during turns. The most common culprits are worn upper strut mounts (including the bearing, which can also cause a creak when steering), tired struts, control-arm bushings,… Repairs typically run $200-$1,000. Severity: medium.
The 3.5L V6 valve cover gaskets and integrated spark-plug tube seals harden and leak with age. Externally the oil weeps and bakes on the block; internally, oil seeps down the spark-plug tubes and pools around the coil-on-plug boots, fouling the plugs and corroding the coils and c… Repairs typically run $250-$900. Severity: medium.
AWD Highlanders (and platform-mate Sienna/Venza) develop an abnormal whine, hum, roar or growl from the rear that grows louder with vehicle speed. The source is typically the electromagnetic AWD coupling assembly ahead of the rear differential and/or its two supporting ball beari… Repairs typically run $700-$1,800. Severity: medium.
The front-mounted A/C condenser on the Highlander is built with thin fins/tubes that owners say cannot survive a stray rock, so it develops small refrigerant leaks and loses cooling — and because the condenser sits low and forward, it gets struck more often than on many vehicles. Repairs typically run $600-$1,100. Severity: medium.
The engine-driven water pump on V6 Highlanders commonly leaks coolant from its weep hole as the internal seal and bearing wear, typically around 90,000-120,000 miles. Early signs are a pink/green crusty residue or puddle at the front of the engine and sometimes a squeal or whine. Repairs typically run $500-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The Highlander Hybrid cools its high-voltage battery by drawing cabin air through an intake located under the cargo floor, past a filter, through a blower and across the pack. Dust, lint and pet hair progressively clog the filter and cake the fan blades. Airflow drops, cells run… Repairs typically run $60-$400. Severity: medium.
Water pools in the rear cargo area, spare-tire well, and behind the rear interior trim because of leaks at the taillight seals/gaskets and the liftgate/hatch weatherstrip, plus secondary paths through the third (high-mount) brake light, the rear air-deflector/spoiler bracket foam… Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: low.
The evaporative-emissions system commonly sets P0441 (incorrect purge flow) and P0455/P0446 (large leak / vent malfunction). The vapor canister purge valve (VSV) sticks open or closed, or the charcoal canister breaks down internally and sheds pellets that clog the system. A class… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: low.
Third-generation (XU50) Highlanders develop a loud squeak, squawk or groan from the rear suspension when the body moves over bumps, speed humps, driveways and parking-lot transitions. The noise is worst in cold weather and can be reproduced by bouncing the rear of the vehicle by… Repairs typically run $350-$1,100. Severity: low.
Third-generation Highlanders with the Entune head unit commonly suffer the multi-function display freezing or going completely blank — the audio cuts out, the touchscreen and side menu buttons stop responding, and sometimes the screen stays dark on startup. Owners report it happe… Repairs typically run $0-$850. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.