Steering Pinion Shaft problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander

Around a year ago, at approximately 58000 miles, I began to notice a knocking sound and steering vibration when I turned in either direction at low speed in city driving. I took the vehicle in for evaluation at rice Toyota. The technicians could not hear anything. I took it back at 61,118 in February 2018 as the steering had gotten worse, now loose and sloppy feeling at any speed. They could hear/feel it this time and I was told it was the electric power steering motor and to just "turn the radio up". I was ready to trade the vehicle in, as I felt unsafe driving it anymore, but knew I couldn't in it's current condition. I did some research and found that others were having the same problems. There was even a TSB (bulletin t-sb-0034-13) issued on 4/26/17 regarding the steering pinion shaft. After I felt that I couldn't drive this car it anymore, I returned to rice Toyota once again on 11/24/18 at 67,770 miles and the repaired the vehicle. "immediate steering shaft needs to be replaced" for a total of $588. 23. The vehicle now drives better, however, I have lost faith in it , as well as Toyota. This is a very serious safety issue that needs to to be addressed for the safety of anyone driving a 2008-2013 Highlander.

I started hearing a popping noise in the steering column under the steering wheel. The noise became louder as time went on especially when I made turns. On 11/07/18 Toyota recently diagnosed the problem as an intermediate steering shaft and I made an appointment to get it fixed at the dealer for $584. 92. There's 57,665 miles on the vehicle. I can visibly see there's slack in the steering shaft where it connects to the rack and pinion. Ii am a 65 year old woman who bought the vehicle new and drove it very gently. I understand the new shaft may have an improved design I hope so it does not occur again. It's very concerning if I lost control while driving. I would think there should be a recall before someone get's hurt.

Started hearing a loud popping noise underneath the steering wheel or pedals. Noise became louder as time went on especially when I made turns. Toyota recent diagnosed the problem as an intermediate steering shaft. Was originall told it might be a rack and pinion problem. Hopefully that this doesn't now turn into something else. This is not covered under my powertrain warranty. Very upset.

The vehicle has around 37k miles and started to get a bump or thud sound when turning to right and turning over all begin to get sluggish. I took it to the dealship fred haas in houston and it was diagnosed with a drive shaft problem and required a expensive repair and front end alignment. I questioned the service rep as it seemed to be very low mileage for a issue with the drive shaft. He advised that it was not covered as my 36k 3 year standard warranty had run out. After researching it seems that this is a Highlander defect and should be covered by a recall. If this car had 80k or more miles I might be of a different opinion but this car is way too new to have an issue like this especially on such an important element like steering. This is an obvious engineering and manufacturing problem and a replacement part that will only have a 1 year warranty is not good enough.