2017 Toyota Highlander Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 17%of 271 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Toyota Highlander, 17% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The battery failed after we owned the car for 2 yrs and 11 months (mileage ~44,000). The replacement battery cost about $450 including installation. This is excessively early failure, and we are out a large amount of money for something that should not have happened with this new of a vehicle. It took 1 month to get the replacement battery. Also excessive.”
NHTSA complaint #11300987, filed 2020-01, 44,000 miles“Auto stop/start malfunction. It will stop the engine while turning, and won't start the engine while release break. It happened occasionally at the beginning, now seems getting worse. The mechanics couldn't figured out the problem. I see there is a recall in 2020 model, but my 2017 Highlander has same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11388827, filed 2021-01, 36,000 miles“The vehicle stalled twice on me at a red light. No power to steer. This both happened at a city near washington dc. Had my battery and alternator checked . Both came back as in great condition. Almost got hit twice from behind cause of the stalling.”
NHTSA complaint #11266630, filed 2019-10, 71,000 miles“My Toyota Highlander would not go into park. The SUV lunged forward over curbing and into building. Then went violently into reverse and into a uncontrollable spin. Then the SUV went violently into drive and jumping over a curbing and into a ditch and was sitting on top of a natural gas line. During this whole time I was pressing the brake and pushing the ignition switch trying to turn off the engine. This was done in a parking lot as I was trying to park.”
NHTSA complaint #11242500, filed 2019-08, 37,516 miles“I was driving on an interstate with dynamic speed control on. The car slowed appropriately to match the speed of the the vehicle ahead of me. Suddenly several warning lights and messages appeared: master warning light, check engine, check awd, go to Toyota dealer, engine power loss.the car slowed to about 35 miles an hour (in a 65 MPH area) while traffic in front of me was at (or above) the speed limit. I was able to safely get to the shoulder and turn the car off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11173789, filed 2019-02, 27,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11022964Aug 20, 2025Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
- 11020657Jun 13, 2025The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service…
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10224111Jun 20, 2022TT: Some 17-22MY Highlander and 17-20MY Sienna vehicles may experience a MIL ON condition with DTC(s) P042000, and/or P043000. This issue could involve deteriorated catalyst…
- 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…
- 10220177Jun 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…
- 10211830Apr 29, 2022Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
- 10207963Jan 28, 2022TSB This Service Bulletin includes guidelines meant to help determine whether to repair or replace a wire harness assembly based on damage type. This Service Bulletin should be…
- 10198153May 26, 2021TSB: Some 2017 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Sienna, 2018 model year Camry, and 2019 model year Avalon vehicles with and without the stop and start feature may exhibit a MIL…
- 10188915Feb 8, 2021TSB: 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 23 | 9% |
| 2021 | 28 | 5% |
| 2020 | 18 | 6% |
| 2019 | 56 | 11% |
| 2018 | 24 | 9% |
| 2017 | 46 | 17% |
| 2016 | 14 | 13% |
| 2015 | 52 | 27% |
| 2014 | 35 | 26% |
| 2013 | 26 | 13% |
| 2012 | 29 | 16% |
| 2011 | 23 | 13% |
| 2010 | 53 | 25% |
| 2009 | 20 | 15% |
| 2008 | 44 | 11% |
| 2007 | 23 | 19% |
| 2006 | 26 | 9% |
| 2005 | 25 | 11% |
| 2004 | 18 | 6% |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2017 Toyota Highlander
77 complaintsOther or unknown
55 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsBrakes
29 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 28, 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