2017 Toyota Highlander Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 77about this part
- Share
- 28%of 271 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 77 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Toyota Highlander, 28% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 2 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.
“My transmission all of a sudden is hard shifting and whines. Transmission fluid is full of metal shaving and dark fluid noticed. No warning of any kind. Now being told it needs a new transmission 6k miles just past factory warranty. I have read that numerous people have this issue but no recall has been issued.”
NHTSA complaint #11402584, filed 2021-03, 66,000 miles“Unable to put my car in drive gear. Started my SUV wanted to get to reverse. I try maybe 20 times before I got to it. It was hard to move right and down. I was parked I my driveway was stepping on my brakes. Happen 4 times yesterday. Have not driven today.”
NHTSA complaint #11415290, filed 2021-05, 34,000 miles“While driving up the I-5 grapevine at 72 MPH the car suddenly slowed without any warning to under 20 MPH. The check engine light turned on and the dash said awd system disengaged or error or some similar message and to take to the dealer. I was barely able to accelerate to get off the road. I pulled off, turned the car off and back on, and it started running again. I'm lucky I was not rear ended.”
NHTSA complaint #11057498, filed 2017-12, 7,000 miles“Since I leased by Highlander I have noticed that the car shifts very hard, sometimes sputtering between 5-10mph and then accelerating. Dealer reflashed the computer based on technical bulletin TSB-0194-17. They have now had the car for 3 days and have replicated the issue and I am awaiting guidance. The vehicle has 13,000 miles on it, there should not be major transmission issues. My complaint doesn't seem isolated.”
NHTSA complaint #11110722, filed 2018-07, 13,000 miles“On highway traffic came to a complete stop we sat with foot on brake maybe 2-3 minutes when I released brakes car would not go for a second then started going, no noises that I recall. 2nd time after I turn and start to speed up it feels like its slipping or really sluggish, this has now happened a few times, it seems to be when I first drive the car in the morning. Have not noticed it as much after it warms up and I drive for a while. I have 44,000 miles currently and did buy it new.”
NHTSA complaint #11388949, filed 2021-01, 44,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201352Jul 6, 2021TT: Some 2014-2021 model year vehicles equipped with Dynamic Torque Control AWD system may experience a ?Noise? or ?Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front…
- 10198131May 11, 2021TSB: Some 2017 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Sienna vehicles may exhibit a whine noise while driving, a harsh shift, MIL ON, or reduced power. The following Diagnostic Trouble…
- 10164347Jul 11, 2019Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10162233May 1, 2019Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced…
- 10159730Apr 18, 2019Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced…
- 10159729Apr 18, 2019Dealer Packet: Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning…
- 10159728Apr 18, 2019Dealer Email: Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning…
- 10159727Apr 18, 2019Region Email: Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning…
- 10153235Dec 17, 2018TSB: Some 2017 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Sienna vehicles may exhibit a whine noise while driving, a harsh shift, MIL ON, or reduced power. The following Diagnostic Trouble…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 55 | 21% |
| 2021 | 228 | 43% |
| 2020 | 126 | 39% |
| 2019 | 214 | 42% |
| 2018 | 72 | 26% |
| 2017 | 77 | 28% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 6 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 51 | 23% |
| 2004 | 58 | 20% |
| 2003 | 13 | 5% |
| 2002 | 14 | 5% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2017 Toyota Highlander
55 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsElectrical system
46 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 30, 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