Cruise Control problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander

Three problems related to cruise control have been reported for the 2017 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2017 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2017 Highlander.

1 Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2020

On 3 separate occasions at 30,000, 40,000 and 42,000 miles when driving at interstate highway speeds (around 70 mph) with cruise control engaged, the vehicle has suddenly without warning switched to a low power limp home mode resulting in rapid deceleration in the midst of high speed highway traffic. I believe this is a very dangerous situation. Multiple warnings appeared on the dash including low power mode, check awd system, and see your dealer. Shutting off the vehicle and restarting it allowed the vehicle to be driven normally again. After all three incidents the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. All 3 times the computer had stored codes for random multiple misfires along with a few others. All three times the dealer indicated that the codes did not point to a specific faulty part that they could replace, so there was nothing they could do. At my insistence that something be done after the third incident the dealer opened a case with the Toyota tas system to ask for assistance in diagnoses. The only result of this was to switch some of the coil pack positions to see if the misfires followed the coil pack. The end result is that I have to drive it until it fails again, putting myself and others at risk. I also opened a case with the Toyota customer experience center, they confirmed this was all Toyota would do at this point.

2 Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 08/20/2019

Cruise control on speed at 45 mph, lifted cruise lever 5 times to posted 50 mph speed going onto interstate apron/bridge. Lifted the cruise cont lever and held to accelerate to posted speed of 60. Released lever at 60 mph, but noticed car still accelerating. Pulled on lever to cancel when car was at 75 mph. Car has 19,850 miles.

3 Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 04/02/2017

The dynamic radar cruise control does not operate correctly and can be very dangerous. When driving on a highway with the feature on and a vehicle in front of you exits to the right, the Highlander will slow and brake aggressively as if it's still following the slowing exiting vehicle that is now in another lane and leaving the highway. The setting of the vehicle to vehicle distance and pre-collision setting have little affect on this problem. This problem can easily be duplicated every time. The dealer says it's normal operation. I was nearly rear ended by a large truck when my Highlander unexpectedly and aggressively braked and slowed for no reason as it continued tracking the exiting vehicle in front of me. I could have been killed, which is why I no longer use dynamic radar cruise control. Please investigate this matter with Toyota before some is seriously injured. Thank you.


Other Vehicle Speed Control related problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander



Safety Ratings of Highlander Cars
Fuel Economy of Highlander Vehicles
Highlander Service Bulletins
Highlander Safety Recalls
Highlander Defect Investigations