2017 Toyota Highlander — Known Issues & Recalls

Your 2017 Highlander has experienced transmission failure twice. You first noticed a faint whining noise during acceleration, and at 112,000 miles the transmission began slipping between gears 3 and 4. After a $9,000 replacement with a remanufactured transmission, the same whining noise returned, and now at 150,000 miles the transmission is slipping again. The transmission may need replacement or major internal repair.

Your transmission failed at 95,000 miles after making a high-pitched whining noise. The shop found metal filings in the transmission fluid, which indicated internal wear that eventually caused complete transmission failure. The transmission had to be completely replaced, which took several months to obtain and install.

Your transmission is malfunctioning after less than a year of use. The reverse gear works only sometimes, and the transmission won't shift smoothly unless you manually control the gears using the gear shift stick. Your car has also unexpectedly gone into overdrive, and after an oil change, the car suddenly stopped while driving at 25 mph. The transmission may need to be serviced, rebuilt, or replaced depending on what's causing the shifting and reverse problems.

Your car's powertrain (engine and transmission system) stopped working while driving on I-70 in Warren County, Missouri. The vehicle was later diagnosed by a mechanic at Kaizen Auto in Wentzville, Missouri, though the diagnosis took over a week to complete. Repairs will likely involve inspecting and potentially replacing transmission components or engine parts depending on what caused the failure.

Your 2017 Highlander's 8-speed transmission is making a high-pitched whining noise and has been diagnosed as irreparable by both a local repair shop and a Toyota dealership. Both facilities determined the transmission needs to be replaced, and you're concerned this could fail while driving at highway speeds. The transmission will likely need to be replaced with a new or rebuilt unit.

Your transmission started slipping at just under 5,000 miles and had to be replaced under warranty. Now at 72,426 miles, you're hearing a whining sound and a diagnostic test shows the replacement transmission also needs to be replaced. The dealership says it's safe to drive while waiting for parts, but this is the second transmission failure in less than 9 years.

Your car is very slow to shift gears when you start moving, sometimes taking about a minute to complete a gear change. This is a significant transmission issue that your Toyota dealer has recommended replacing the entire transmission to fix, which would cost around $11,000.

Your 2017 Highlander is making a whirring or whining sound when you accelerate, even though no warning lights appear on your dashboard. Your dealer has indicated the transmission is failing and needs replacement at a cost of around $11,000. This appears to be a known issue affecting 2017 model Highlanders. The fix will require transmission replacement or rebuild.

Your vehicle shakes or shutters, which may be caused by a torque converter issue. This problem has been reported across multiple Toyota Highlander models. The issue typically requires inspection and possible replacement of the torque converter or transmission fluid service.

You heard a low whining sound coming from your transmission while driving. The Toyota dealership diagnosed this as a transmission problem requiring full replacement and warned it could fail soon. The dealership couldn't find replacement transmissions available in the US and said your vehicle didn't qualify for any warranty coverage or technical service bulletins. Fixing this will require a complete transmission replacement.

When you first start your car, the transmission slips before it engages properly. Your Highlander doesn't have a traditional dipstick to check the transmission fluid level yourself. Getting the transmission fluid checked and possibly replaced by a mechanic may resolve this issue.

Your 2017 Highlander's 8-speed transmission has experienced problems, and while Toyota has issued technical service bulletins and a limited customer support program, the coverage appears limited to certain VINs. You may face transmission repair costs of $10,000 or more, which you believe should be covered under a full recall given Toyota's reputation for reliability. The transmission may need internal repairs or replacement to resolve shifting or performance issues.

Your 2017 Toyota Highlander has a leaking rear main seal, which was discovered during routine maintenance at 95,402 miles. This seal prevents oil from leaking out of the back of your engine. The leak will need to be repaired by resealing or replacing the rear main seal, which involves removing the transmission to access the seal.

You installed a standard battery from AutoZone that wasn't compatible with your vehicle's Stop-Start system, which caused your power steering and brakes to stop working while you were driving—a serious safety risk with children in the car. Your 2017 Highlander requires a special Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) or AGM battery, but AutoZone's catalog incorrectly listed a standard battery as compatible. The incompatible battery caused a voltage drop that disabled critical safety systems. The fix will require replacing the battery with the correct EFB or AGM type specified for your vehicle.

Your transmission suddenly stopped working while driving uphill on a narrow street with no warning signs beforehand. You had to carefully back down the hill to find level ground and a safe turning point. The transmission is currently available for inspection to determine what caused the failure.

Your 2017 Highlander's 8-speed automatic transmission failed while driving on the highway, causing the Check Engine Light and ABS light to come on and forcing the vehicle into limp mode at reduced speeds—creating a safety risk for you and other drivers. A service center confirmed the transmission has failed with burnt fluid inside. The transmission will likely need to be rebuilt or replaced, which typically involves removing the transmission, inspecting internal components, and either overhauling or installing a new unit.

While driving on the highway, the front section of your sunroof suddenly shattered without any impact or accident. This is a safety concern as glass fragments could enter the vehicle or pose a hazard to occupants. The repair will likely involve replacing the sunroof glass panel.

Your engine is leaking oil due to a timing chain failure. Your mechanic told you the engine would need to be disassembled to fix it. This happened at around 60,000 miles. Repairing this will likely require your mechanic to take apart the engine and replace the timing chain.

Your fuel line has developed a leak because the plastic lining inside the line has deteriorated over time. This can cause fuel to drip from underneath your vehicle. The fuel line will likely need to be replaced to stop the leak and prevent fuel loss.

Your car's hood paint is flaking and peeling off. This appears to be a defect in the paint itself rather than damage from road conditions or maintenance issues. You may need to have the hood repainted or replaced to restore the appearance.