2017 Toyota Highlander · symptom sheet

Battery dies or the car will not start

25owner reports
36,000median miles
$450median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Mar 25, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

47 of the 264 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 25 of those describe dead battery.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

dead after sitting a day or two

needed a jump start

battery replaced more than once

warning lights or messages

the dealer found a drain

the dealer found nothing

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (22 reports) and the alternator (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the electrical system covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18E-107Nov 27, 2018

Electrical System

Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).

Risk and remedy

Risk: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.

NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Highlander

RQ10-003opened Feb 16, 2010

Electrical · model years 2004 to 2006

Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration. Closed mar 1, 2011, led to recall 11V-112.

NHTSA summary

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accele

None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.

What owners paid

6 of the 25 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $200 to $800.

$200$450$800

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 25,000 and 44,832 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.

119

320

721

222

523

424

225

126

What owners wrote

“With 22k miles on vehicle, car wonât start due to Brake power low fault. Battery was replaced in attempt to rectify problem with no success, vehicle will need to be towed in for repair.”
Filed Feb 25, 2025 · 22,000 miles

“2017 Highlander with the Auto Start/Stop. It will sometimes go completely dead when idling, like at a stop light. Completely dead meaning zero electricity - no lights. This will last a couple of seconds. But one day, the car died at a stop light right. No power. Completely dead. Couldnât turn on my hazard lights Gears were stuck. Couldnât shift gears.”
Filed Jul 8, 2024

“When stopped at a stop light and using the auto off feature the Highlander stalls. The automatic shutoff repeatedly keeps draining the battery unless I manually turn the automatic shutoff feature off so it does not shut off when the vehicle is stopped. This has continued to happen over the last year and a half.”
Filed Jul 22, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.