2017 Toyota HIGHLANDER: complaints, problems and recalls

2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SE AWD ("VEHICLE"). ON JANUARY 26, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 P.M., PACIFIC TIME, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE 10 FREEWAY NEAR THE LA BREA AVENUE EXIT. IT WAS DARK BUT CLEAR WITH LIGHT TO MEDIUM TRAFFIC. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND 80 MPH AND MERGING TOWARD AN INNER LANE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY - ON ITS OWN - SLOWED TO AROUND 30 OR 40 MPH. CONCOMITANTLY, THE VEHICLE'S MESSAGING SYSTEM (BETWEEN THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER) BEGAN BLINKING AND ALERTING ME THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM WAS EXPERIENCI…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10949488 at NHTSA ↗

GASOLINE BEGAN GUSHING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. I STOPPED AND CALLED TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE CASE NUMBER INVOLVING THIS INCIDENT IS #1702060159

Owner-reported narrative. 908 miles reported. Look up ODI 10950281 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD AND ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE SHAFT SUPPORT BEARING RETAINING RING FAILED AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE TRANS AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192.

Owner-reported narrative. 192 miles reported. Look up ODI 10971162 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO CONTINUE TO CHARGE THE BATTERIES EVEN AFTER THE KEY IS NO LONGER IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN A GARAGE - GENERATING CO AND ALSO POTENTIALLY OVERHEATING. PROPOSE THE VEHICLE CONTROL LOGIC WILL SHUTDOWN THE VEHICLE AFTER A DESIGNATED PERIOD FOLLOWING THE KEY NOT BEING IN PROXIMITY. (IT MAKES LITTLE SENSE FOR THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE IF IT HAS BEEN STATIONARY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT THE KEY IN PROXIMITY). SUITABLE LOGIC C…

Owner-reported narrative. 905 miles reported. Look up ODI 10984522 at NHTSA ↗

MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, FUSES REPEATEDLY BLOWING OUT, POWER LIFT GATE NOT CLOSING, MANY DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGE APPEARING ON THE SCREEN FOR NO REASON, VEHICLE WENT INTO ACCESSORY MODE WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 3,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10990492 at NHTSA ↗

THE DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH THE FEATURE ON AND A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU EXITS TO THE RIGHT, THE HIGHLANDER WILL SLOW AND BRAKE AGGRESSIVELY AS IF IT'S STILL FOLLOWING THE SLOWING EXITING VEHICLE THAT IS NOW IN ANOTHER LANE AND LEAVING THE HIGHWAY. THE SETTING OF THE VEHICLE TO VEHICLE DISTANCE AND PRE-COLLISION SETTING HAVE LITTLE AFFECT ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM CAN EASILY BE DUPLICATED EVERY TIME. THE DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL OPERATION. I WAS NEAR…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10992791 at NHTSA ↗

BOUGHT THIS 2017 HIGHLANDER BRAND-NEW FROM THE DEALER. IT HAD 67 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES, A STONE CHIPPED THE WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN DAYS THE WINDSHIELD WAS A SPIDER'S NEST OF SPREADING CRACKS ALL ACROSS UP AND DOWN THE WINDSHIELD. I BOUGHT A NEW 2015 HIGHLANDER FROM THE SAME DEALER AND HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AFTER JUST A FEW THOUSAND MILES. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SLANTED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE DOWN FOR BETTER AIRFLOW AND RESULTING MPG INCREASE AND IN SO DOING, ALL ROAD DEBRIS SUCH AS STONES, ARE PROPELLED UP RIGHT ONTO…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10994221 at NHTSA ↗

INTERSTATE DRIVE- 70MPH. NO TRAFFIC WITHIN AT LEAST 0.5 MILE AHEAD. MULTIPLE VEHICLES BEHIND. NO OVERPASSES OR OVERHANGING SIGNS OR STRUCTURES. SUDDEN, EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE FOLLOWED BY WIND NOISE. EXITED FIRST OPPORTUNITY. PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHATTERED WITH LARGE SECTION MISSING ABOVE PASSENGER SEAT. MINIMAL GLASS ABOVE SUNROOF SCREEN. NO FOREIGN OBJECTS UNDER GLASS ATOP THE SCREEN. AT THE TIME OF EXPLOSION CARS BEHIND SUDDENLY SLOWED AND SWERVED, PRESUMABLY FROM FLYING GLASS.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,889 miles reported. Look up ODI 11004940 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-05-02 (May 2, 2017)

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.

Reported: 2017-08-23 (August 23, 2017)

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2017 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles equipped with accessory roof rail cross bars. The fasteners for the roof rails may not be torqued properly.

Consequence: The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and properly torque the fasteners, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2017. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 17R3.

Reported: 2020-11-04 (November 4, 2020)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.