Model year guide

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — representative photo
Representative photo

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints224
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined28–29 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls 2

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #17V520000 · manufacturer #17R3 · 23/08/2017

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.

Fix: 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.

Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire NHTSA Campaign #17V295000 · manufacturer #17R2 · 02/05/2017

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 16.9% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2017 Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid MPG & running costs

Combined28–29 mpg
City30 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,350
EPA size classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)
Engine start-stopYes
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$250 less

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,750
Fuel only$11,750
Per mile$0.16

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
192.5 in
Width
76.0 in
Height
68.1 in
Wheelbase
109.8 in
Curb weight
4,894 lb
Front track
64.2 in
Rear track
64.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Pedestrian alert sounds Closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that…

NHTSA #DP22005 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 278

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 278.

This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 shoul…

Bulletin T-SB-0009-26 · Engine · Feb 2026

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

Bulletin T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Engine · Feb 2026

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to p…

Bulletin T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Jan 2026

Some 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.

Bulletin T-TT-0790-25 · Electrical System · Aug 2025

The 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 Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

Bulletin T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Electrical System · Jun 2025

Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for…

Bulletin 24TE05 · Service Brakes · Jan 2025

Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for…

Bulletin 24TE05 · Service Brakes · Jan 2025

Some 2017 – 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning lights are on and/or a Check VSC message displays. One or more of the following specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): C1391, C1252,…

Bulletin T-SB-0014-25 · Service Brakes · Jan 2025

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especiall…

Bulletin T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid,…

Bulletin T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the HIGHLANDER HYBRID AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Electrical

Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note:…

Transport Canada #2021723 · Nov 2021

Electrical

On certain vehicles, the electrical power cords of some dealer installed block heaters may have been improperly manufactured, causing the wires to contact each other, resulting in a short circuit. A short circuit could lead to a fire which would increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: For vehicles where the subject block heater was approved for instal…

Transport Canada #2017363 · Jul 2017

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander , also known as the Toyota Kluger in some markets, is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles on record

Other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Across all 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, electrical system, engine.

What is the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?

The 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has U.S. EPA estimates of 28–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.