One problem related to engine clicking and tapping noises has 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.
I stopped at my neighbors house to give her something,I left the engine running when I went in to her house as soon as I went into her house I heard a noise looked out and couldn't see the car,I went out side and the car had jumped in to gear and went into her garage ( the door was open) the car hit her bike,golf clubs there was a 2x4 on a chair the car hit the 2x4 and then the other end of the 2x4 hit her washing machine witch stopped the car. The door was locked so I went home (3 houses from her house) to get the other set of keys the car still wouldn't unlock so I used the the key that is in the remote control to unlock it and shut the engine off. I can't believe the car locked because the keys were in my purse that was in the car. The 2x4 went into the engine and a tow truck had to take it to the garage. I can't believe the car jumped into gear and moved on its own. At one time when we had and oil change my husband told the service manager that when we put the car in gear the car would make a clunk noise and he said they all do that. Maybe they do but I wouldn't think so after what happened.