2017 Toyota Highlander: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · IN

The radar cruise control system on my 2017 Toyota Highlander is not functioning properly and creates a safety hazard. When initially setting the radar cruise control, the system works as expected. I can accelerate to a desired speed, press the “set” control, and the vehicle maintains that speed correctly. The problem occurs when I try to increase the set speed. After setting an initial speed (for example, 45 mph), I accelerate to a higher speed (such as 65 mph) and press the “set” control again to update the cruise setting. Instead of setting the new speed, the system reverts to the previously stored speed. When this happens, the vehicle rapidly decelerates and applies braking to return to the lower speed. This sudden and unexpected braking creates a dangerous situation, especially on highways, as it can put surrounding drivers at risk of a rear-end collision. I have tested this multiple times and experience the same result each time. This issue only occurs when using radar cruise control and does not occur with standard cruise control. note this has been an ongoing issue since the day I purchased my vehicle in January 2017. I notified the dealership about the issue and they stated they would open a case with Toyota

Filed Sep 22, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 42,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Sep 22, 2019 · 47,129 miles · VA

While driving on the interstate, vehicle motor stopped. Had to steer to the shoulder of highway. Was able to turn vehicle on/off, seemed to reset car. Able to drive. Within 250 miles occurred again. This is the second complaint with this vehicle. Last year, car automatically decclerated to 40 MPH on the interstate on cruise control, would not go above 40 MPH. Very dangerous. Car taken in to dealership for 4 days for quests dust on some kind of electronic board.

Filed Aug 22, 2019 · Acceleration · 19,850 miles · KY

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

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 20,800 miles · NY

Hello, there. I want to share my experience about highlander problem. My wife and me went to mystic,ct from my home for pleasure august 8. I used cruise control with 65 MPH on highway. After I finished traveling there, I tried to use the same cruise control on the way home. And then suddenly my car made problem in the middle of driving on highway. Rpm went up to over 3000 and RPM needle on dashboard started dancing. And I watched 'check awd system','traction control turned off','check engine visit your dealership' coming up. Automatically my car lost power control. We were very scared because everyone there was driving a car with high speed at night. I turned on emergency light and put my car on service road. Fortunately, no body followed behind my car at that time. If someone kept approaching my car,we would have made big traffic accident. This is safety issue for us. Even if we are still alive, I don't have any courageous idea about my car. I will not be satisfied with my car. Whenever I drive it, I have to think about my car condition. For example, I found the same story about my highlander through carcomplaints.com that car was eventually burned in the middle of highway. So I want my money back by lemon law.

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · 15 miles · CA

"takata recall" while driving back home while I was driving on the 5 south freeway heading back to los angeles from newhall ca, the warning, the ABS, the cruise control and the tracking control lights lid on my dashboard all at the same time, scare me since I was driving with my children I did not know if my car would all of sudden turn off , but once I got home I park and return back to check it 30 minutes later turn the car on and the lights where still there I turn the car back off and this morning they where no longer there I called the dealer but they said they cant no longer do anything but do the 5 point check since the lights are not there for them to see what is wrong the car or why the lights lid in the dashborad.

Filed May 2, 2018 · Electrical · 25,000 miles · VA

While driving on interstate on cruise control at 75 MPH, without warning, alerts went off and vehicle slowed to about 40 MPH and would not let me go any faster. The awd failure alert sign came on as did system engine failure alert came on. I was able drive at that slow speed for approximately 4 miles on interstate ramp with flashers on. My son advised me to turn engine off for one minute and restart, which it did without alerts. Then able to drive the 2o miles home. Next day took it dealership where it's been going on 3 rd day. Extremely bad possible outcome could have occurred on the interstate being rear-ended or if had been trying to pass someone or vice verse. Car presently at dealership so do not have VIN. Or actual mules

Filed Jun 2, 2017 · Acceleration · 4,400 miles · NC

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.