One problem related to steering rack and pinion has been reported for the 2004 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2004 Highlander.
With no warning or prior indication of any problem, the steering rack and pinion broke making the vehicle completely un-steerable. Toyota repair found that the power steering pump belt was broken and the pump had locked up. The vehicle was being driven on a freeway through the mountains and it was just fortunate that the incident occurred on one of the few straight stretches and it was possible to keep the vehicle on the road surface.