2017 Toyota Highlander Fuel System Problems

Which parts fail

• Delivery › Fuel pump
  1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  844%
• 25k–50k
  211%
• 50k–75k
  422%
• 75k–100k
  16%
• 100k–150k
  317%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started jerking, the RPM decreased, and the vehicle started losing motive power. The message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed. The contact stated that she came to a complete stop at a traffic light. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete top, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle jerked increasingly while driving. The contact veered to the side of the road, where she remained. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring for months. The vehicle was previously taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the low-pressure fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with several warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that an image with the brake pedal depressed was displayed. The contact was informed by his wife that the vehicle then stalled. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle and assistance was provided to push the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The driver was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front passenger's side tire. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was purchased, Norm Reeves Honda Superstore Huntington Beach (19131 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648), and the contact was informed that no fault was found with the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while attempting to make a U-turn with an unknown message on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). …

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated before the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 101,000. The contact stated that they repaired the vehicle themselves and no longer wishes to continue with this complaint.

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. After the recall repair, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the fault code reader indicated that there was a failure with cylinder 3. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be taken apart to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the fuel pump failed. The contact stated that when the fuel tank was full, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the dealer had not performed a diagnostic test. The dealer cleaned the fuel injection system however, the repair did not correct the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Within 6 months of purchasing this car used at a Toyota dealership, the check engine, exclamation light, and "Go to dealership/check AWD" lights came on. I took it to the dealership who told me it would cost $250 just to check the lights. I took it to a car parts store who said "it's throwing a bunch of old codes". The dealership also suggested during oil change about $800 worth of work needing to be done and said my warranty I purchased would not cover it so I left. I had the fuel system flush done somewhere else.The lights went off for about a week and then came back on. About a month later.... …

The engine stalled because the fuel pump is failing. We have found that many 2017 Toyota Highlanders have had the fuel pump recalled for this exact issue, yet our VIN is not included in this recall. We experienced the exact issue the recall was issued for stalling while driving. Issue on July 24, 2027: The engine stalled while driving on the highway at high speed and lost power steering, creating a major safety issue. We had our vehicle towed to a car care center. The car care center identified diagnostic codes related to low pressure fuel system pressure, engine stall history, etc. but cannot reproduce the issue. After checking multiple systems, he believes the issue is a failing fuel pump. Background: Over the past 6 months, we have had problems with the check engine light turning on. …

Today (8/26/2025) my wife experienced the engine light kicked on and that the AWD system needed to be checked. After fueling up it made knocking noises and difficulty starting, and took two times to start up. Ran an OBD scan and this is what it says, which is related to fuel pump low pressure. P117B - Fuel Pressure Sensor Circuit Range/Performance Severity - High Description - Indicates a problem with the fuel pressure sensor circuit, where the sensor's output signal is outside the expected range or performance criteria, leading to potential issues with fuel delivery or engine performance. P0174 - System Too Lean (Bank 2) Severity - High Description - Your engine is getting too much air and/or not enough fuel, this is known as a "Lean" condition. Excess oxygen is getting into your engine, which makes the combustion process less efficient. This could be caused by many different factors. …

Car refused to start. Multiple cranking that had to be stopped by turning car off. Car was not receiving fuel. Waited one day and tried again. Car started on third time but ran very rough, with smoke and odor until it evened out. Drove with initial engine hesitation episodes to dealer. Asked for fuel pump replacement under Customer Support Program but dealer refuses because they cannot duplicate the problem. I am afraid to drive this car because I feel it's unsafe. I am afraid the car will stall while driving causing an accident. I transport by grandchildren daily so a safe car is imperative. Called Toyota twice to resolve this but if the dealer doesn't experience the same issue they will not replace my fuel pump even though this is a known issue. My car is not on the recall list yet. Looking back I have had hesitation issues upon acceleration for years. …

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints in other Highlander years