Do you own a 2017 Toyota Highlander that has suddenly started to stall on you all the time? This is one of the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that a lot of 2017 Highlander owners have started to report. They’ve also reported unexplained losses of power, unexpected revving and acceleration, excessive oil consumption, and bad engine bearings.
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2017 Toyota Highlander engines are, thankfully, very reliable across the board. You shouldn’t have to be too concerned about experiencing engine troubles if you own a 2017 Toyota Highlander. But you are going to need to keep a close eye out for some of the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that we just mentioned since they could eventually take their toll on you.
Today, we’re going to talk at length about the 2017 Toyota Highlander and what it has to offer. We’re also going to hone in on the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that you need to know about and speak a little bit about how to fix them. Continue reading to get the lowdown on the 2017 Highlander.
A Brief Overview of the 2017 Toyota Highlander
Toyota has been producing its Highlander SUV for the North American market for well over a decade now. Since first hitting the U.S. back in 2007, the Highlander has solidified itself as one of the most reliable midsize SUVs around. And the 2017 model continued to carry the torch for Toyota by falling right in line with all of the other Highlanders released before it.
When the 2017 Toyota Highlander hit the market, it was widely praised for all of the standard active safety features that came along with it. It was also praised for its fuel economy, which is quite impressive compared to similar SUVs, and its quiet and comfortable ride.
One thing that people didn’t necessarily love about the 2017 Toyota Highlander, though, was that it had a base engine that wasn’t as powerful as they wanted it to be. It was one of the sole reasons why the 2017 Highlander didn’t land much higher on lists of midsize SUVs that year. And the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that followed only served to drag the Highlander down even further.
The Different Engines Found in 2017 Toyota Highlanders
There were a couple of different engines that people could choose from when purchasing a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The first one was the base engine that we just alluded to. It was a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine that could generate up to 185 horsepower. It was panned for not being nearly powerful enough for the 2017 Highlander.
The second engine that was available to those who purchased a 2017 Toyota Highlander was a 3.5-liter V6 engine that could produce up to 295 horsepower. It was hailed as the engine that people should choose when purchasing a 2017 Toyota Highlander. It was able to haul both people and cargo more effectively than the base engine in the 2017 Highlander.
Most of the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that we’re going to discuss in this article stem from the base engine in the midsize SUV. But you might also experience similar problems with the V6 engine. You need to be on the lookout for all the issues we’re going to talk about next if you have a 2017 Highlander.
The Most Common 2017 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
When the 2017 Toyota Highlander first started to hit dealer lots, people didn’t report having too many problems with its engine. But throughout 2017 and 2018, there were more than a few people who filed formal complaints about the 2017 Highlander’s engine through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many of these complaints have been listed on CarComplaints.com. Check out several of the most common 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that were reported below.
1. Unexplained Stalling
Of all the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that we’re going to talk about here, this one is easily the most common one. There have been lots of 2017 Toyota Highlander owners who have complained about their SUVs randomly stalling out on them—sometimes multiple times—for no good reason at all.
“The vehicle stalled twice on me at a red light,” one upset 2017 Highlander owner said. “Had my battery and alternator checked. Both came back as in great condition. Almost got hit twice from behind [because] of the stalling.”
Others complained about this same 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problem, and they also noted that their dealers were unable to fix it. They reported taking their Highlanders to their dealers only to be told that there wasn’t anything wrong with their SUVs.
How to Fix This 2017 Toyota Highlander Engine Problem
People have attempted to address this problem by checking on the condition of things like their batteries and alternator. But oftentimes, they’ve been unable to pinpoint the exact issues with their cars. It has frustrated many of them and made it impossible for them to fix these 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems. You should take your Highlander to a dealer to see what they can dig up if you ever have this issue.
2. Sudden Loss of Power
If the engine in your 2017 Toyota Highlander stalls out while you’re sitting at a red light, it could potentially be dangerous. But most of the time, it’ll just be downright annoying. You’ll grow tired of having your 2017 Toyota Highlander stall out on you time and time again.
With this next problem, though, you could be putting your life and the lives of others in jeopardy if you don’t get a hold on it. There are many 2017 Toyota Highlander owners who have reported their SUVs suddenly losing power out of nowhere while they’re driving down the road.
One person described the sudden loss of power that they experienced in their 2017 Toyota Highlander like this: “Pressing on [the] accelerator had no effect, but [within] approximately 5-10 seconds, [I] regained movement and continued on. Unsure/unknown of the safety cause. [Scary] especially turning left with oncoming traffic coming at you.”
Fortunately, it doesn’t sound as though there have been any serious injuries or deaths that have come about because of this particular problem. But that doesn’t make it any less scary. It’s easily one of the worst 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems.
How to Fix This 2017 Toyota Highlander Engine Problem
Just like the first problem that we listed here, it doesn’t appear as though there is a quick and easy fix for this 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problem. Those who have experienced often take it to their dealers only to have them struggle to replicate the issue.
You should still take your 2017 Toyota Highlander to a dealer if you ever go through a sudden loss of power, but there might not be a whole lot that they can do if your SUV doesn’t lose power for them.
3. Unexpected Revving and Acceleration
When you push down on the brake in a 2017 Toyota Highlander, you expect for the SUV to come to a complete stop. But several 2017 Highlander owners have found that their engines didn’t always cooperate when they tried to bring their SUVs to a stop.
There is one 2017 Toyota Highlander owner, in particular, who wrote about a harrowing experience that they had in their SUV back in 2018. They were driving on a highway when their engine suddenly started to rev before their Highlander took off and accelerated more than they wanted it to. They ended up hitting a guardrail and swerving all over the place on the road before the brakes finally started to work again. They managed to pull their Highlander over and turn it off even though the engine kept on revving out of control.
The technician who worked on this 2017 Toyota Highlander couldn’t figure out why the engine wouldn’t stop revving for the owner. But they did guess that the zig-zagging that the car did was due to an issue with the electronic traction/stability control system.
How to Fix This 2017 Toyota Highlander Engine Problem
This is another 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problem that could potentially put you into a very scary position. And unfortunately, it doesn’t seem as though there is any quick fix for it. Dealers have had a tough time replicating the unexpected revving and acceleration that sometimes takes place in certain 2017 Toyota Highlander models.
4. Excessive Oil Consumption
Compared to some of the other 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that we’ve discussed here, this one might seem a lot less serious. But some 2017 Toyota Highlander owners have reported that their engines burn through too much oil—and this could be just as bad as the other issues we’ve mentioned if you don’t do anything about it.
“If a person does not check their oil very often, their engine will fail and lock up,” wrote one 2017 Highlander owner who said that they had to add oil to their car on a weekly basis. “This could happen while driving and cause a serious accident.”
How to Fix This 2017 Toyota Highlander Engine Problem
If you suspect that your 2017 Toyota Highlander engine might be going through more oil than it should, you should definitely monitor your oil levels to ensure you’re not driving without any oil in your SUV. You should also have your dealer check out your Highlander to see why it’s burning through oil. You might have a simple oil leak, or you might have a more serious engine problem on your hands.
5. Bad Engine Bearings
Has your 2017 Toyota Highlander ever made a really loud noise when you’ve started it up or accelerated in it? Then you might have a bad engine bearing that is to blame. This is yet another one of the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that you’ll have to be worried about when you drive a 2017 Highlander.
This problem isn’t too common in 2017 Toyota Highlanders. But it is an issue that one unlucky 2017 Highlander owner had to deal with without any warning. They reported that there was “no indicator light on board” when the problem started. They just heard a loud noise and later learned that a bad engine bearing was causing it.
How to Fix This 2017 Toyota Highlander Engine Problem
Unlike most of the other 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems that we’ve touched on here, this one actually has a clear-cut solution. If you have a bad engine bearing in your 2017 Highlander, you’ll need to replace it to get rid of the problem. But you could be looking at spending thousands of dollars on this type of repair if your SUV isn’t still under warranty.
Other Common 2017 Toyota Highlander Problems
One thing that 2017 Toyota Highlander owners will be happy to hear is that engine problems seem to be few and far between with Highlanders. Most 2017 Highlanders don’t experience any engine problems, especially when they don’t have many miles on them.
There are, however, some other 2017 Toyota Highlander problems that you might have to worry about if you own this type of SUV. Some of the other common 2017 Toyota Highlander problems include:
- Excessive wind noise on the interior
- Transmission slipping
- Parking brake failure
While you’re busy monitoring your SUV for 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems, you should also monitor it for these issues.
Recalls for the 2017 Toyota Highlander
In spite of all the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems and other issues that people have experienced, you might be surprised to learn that there aren’t a ton of recalls that have been issued for the 2017 Highlander. But there are a few of them floating around out there right now.
Toyota has issued recalls for the 2017 Highlander because of:
- Failing fuel pumps
- Under-inflated spare tires
- Faulty roof tail cross bars
You may want to see if your 2017 Toyota Highlander has been recalled for any reason before you continue to drive it around every day.
Is It Worth Fixing the 2017 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems?
The issue that you’ve probably noticed with almost all of the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems listed here is that most of them seem to set in for no reason. Those who own 2017 Highlanders and those who work on them for a living can’t identify what is causing some of the problems to occur.
If you’re in this position, you might not feel completely confident in your 2017 Toyota Highlander anymore. You also might be sick and tired of taking your 2017 Toyota Highlander down to your dealer to have it looked at without getting any real results.
Cash Cars Buyer would be happy to purchase your 2017 Toyota Highlander from you so that you don’t have to concern yourself with the 2017 Toyota Highlander engine problems moving forward. We’ll make you a more than fair offer for your Highlander and take it off your hands so that you can invest in something that you’re more confident in.
Are you interested in taking Cash Cars Buyer up on our offer? Contact us today to find out how you can go about selling your SUV to us!