2017 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 11%of 271 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the brakes of the 2017 Toyota Highlander, 11% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving in a city street at approximately 20 MPH I had my window wipers on due to some pollen on my windshield. While window wipers were engaged I approach a downward hill and hit noting but sun glare blinding me I put my brakes on but by that time my SUV slammed into the car in front of me. The emergency braking system did not activate”
NHTSA complaint #11318183, filed 2020-03, 58,000 miles“Purchased the Highlander august 2017. September 2017 (8 weeks later) we returned home from an 35 mile trip and parked. I had to go back out about 30 minutes later. When I tried to start the vehicle I could not get the vehicle to start. Received a brake power low, stop in a safe place light. It took my husband 15 minutes to get the brake to release and be able to manually pull it to the up position so we could try to start it. The dealership was unable to recreate this incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11391029, filed 2021-02, 2,571 miles“I purchased my Toyota in march. Last nite was our first storm of the year. I live in salem,nh and we had maybe 2-3 inches of snow. I was driving home and went off the road twice. I tried pumping brakes and I feel as though I had no control over this SUV I could not stop. It was not deep snow. I feel something is very wrong with this car. I was not going more than 25 MPH and my SUV went off road and I narrowly missed a telephone pole. I have never had an SUV that drove this badly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11053794, filed 2017-12, 14,000 miles“We were in a thanksgiving day related touch n go traffic on a normal street, which enters into a mall. All of us are stopped at a red light, car ahead of us just started moving and we followed after allowing a safe distance, then suddenly the car ahead of us stopped, so I tried stopping quickly, but the car's automatic collision avoidance kicked in and took control of my brakes, but it still didnt stop, I was trying to stop, but the brakes were not working. Ended up rear-ending car infront of me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11048751, filed 2017-11, 2,600 miles“I have a safety concern regarding my 2017 Toyota Highlander. I am trying to use the Highlander's advertised ability to tow a small rv trailer (under 5000lbs). Toyota agrees this requires installation of a brake controller in the Highlander and electric brakes on the rv trailer. I installed a brake controller following standard industry practices. When the manual brake switch is then applied, my Toyota Highlander displays pre-collision system malfunction warning message even if the pre-collision system is turned-off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11064838, filed 2018-01, 2,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10235217Feb 9, 2023DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a…
- 10235216Feb 9, 2023TSB: Some 2014 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ?DTC P0171…
- 10224102Jun 3, 2022TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10184561Nov 24, 2020TSB: Some 2014 ? 2019 model year Highlander vehicles may exhibit a vibration from the front brakes during light application of the brake pedal at highway speeds. Follow the…
- 10171441Jan 13, 2020TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0279-17. ? The entire bulletin has been updated. Service Bulletin No…
- 10143947Jul 26, 2018TSB: Some 2014 ? 2018 model year Highlander vehicles may exhibit a vibration from the front brakes during light application of the brake pedal at highway speeds. Follow the…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 20% |
| 2024 | 8 | 19% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 40 | 15% |
| 2021 | 68 | 13% |
| 2020 | 41 | 13% |
| 2019 | 20 | 4% |
| 2018 | 58 | 21% |
| 2017 | 29 | 11% |
| 2016 | 19 | 17% |
| 2015 | 15 | 8% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% |
| 2012 | 14 | 8% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 30 | 14% |
| 2009 | 26 | 19% |
| 2008 | 81 | 20% |
| 2007 | 36 | 29% |
| 2006 | 102 | 37% |
| 2005 | 24 | 11% |
| 2004 | 24 | 8% |
| 2003 | 33 | 13% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 19 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2017 Toyota Highlander
77 complaintsOther or unknown
55 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsElectrical system
46 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology