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Body and structurePart report

2017 Toyota Highlander Body and structure Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
3%of 271 total for the year
Median mileage
27,690miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the body and structure of the 2017 Toyota Highlander, 3% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 27,690 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

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

“While driving down the road going about 60 MPH, my sunroof exploded. No cars in front of me. Nothing hit me. Just a load explosion. I pulled over and saw that my sunroof exploded. It was bulging upward, with a big hole in it.”

NHTSA complaint #11399445, filed 2021-03, 35,000 miles

“In the back of the car, the rear light covers stick out about 3 inches, the edges are as sharp as a keen knife (photos attached). When I unload stuff from the trunk, it often hurts me. I have tried to be very careful. I also reminded my teenage son with caution. However, it sticks out too much and is too sharp. It is hard to avoid. It keeps hurting. For example, three months ago, on an evening it was dark and raining, at a costco parking lot, when I uploaded groceries onto the car, my right arm and joint were suddenly hit by this sharp cutting edge of the rear light cover. …”

NHTSA complaint #11246740, filed 2019-08, 20,380 miles

“I stopped at my neighbors house to give her something,I left the engine running when I went in to her house as soon as I went into her house I heard a noise looked out and couldn't see the car,I went out side and the car had jumped in to gear and went into her garage ( the door was open) the car hit her bike,golf clubs there was a 2x4 on a chair the car hit the 2x4 and then the other end of the 2x4 hit her washing machine witch stopped the car.the door was locked so I went home (3 houses from her house) to get the other set of keys the car still wouldn't unlock so I used the the key that is…”

NHTSA complaint #11176510, filed 2019-02, 20,000 miles

“Vehicle design does not include front recovery hook(s) nor any secure latch point to tow the vehicle in an emergency situation. Owners manual does not address this issue. Toyota customer service (?) suggested using the flat bed tight down hooks at mid-vehicle, however this approach would not be safe nor reasonable in an emergency situation. Toyota customer service (?) is currently unable to safely address this situation.”

NHTSA complaint #11083137, filed 2018-04

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202449%
20233217%
20224316%
20215210%
2020309%
2019122%
2018124%
201783%
201644%
20153217%
20143224%
2013189%
20122011%
20112715%
2010146%
20091511%
2008113%
200754%
200641%
200584%
200483%
2003187%
2002248%
2001139%

Other parts of the 2017 Toyota Highlander

Transmission and drivetrain
77 complaints
Other or unknown
55 complaints
Engine
47 complaints
Electrical system
46 complaints
Fuel system
37 complaints
Brakes
29 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
Vehicle speed control
13 complaints
Air bags
9 complaints
Wheels
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Forward 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 27, 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