general problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander

When I turn the steering faster than a certain speed, it will lock up for a moment, either turning right or left. Sometimes a light indicating a steering fault lights up on the dash cluster, sometimes not. When the turning of the wheel stops and locks up I cannot turn any more in that direction. I can turn the other way. This has been a problem for sometime and is becoming now worse. Aside from the locking up, justing turning slowly, there is a bit of a whine or low level grind sound in the sound of the steering column. This is a mechanical noise, not the typical whine of the steering pump.

- the car was purchased in 2015 used and the steering wheel has made a clunking sound when turning a hard sharp left or right since the day of purchase -while on a road trip of approximately 3,000 miles round trip in June 2021 the steering wheel was adjusted to accommodate my husband's height. It became very loose, with it finally dropping into my husband's lap on the last day of our trip-it was difficult to steer the car -we brought the car in to our dealership the following day where they confirmed we needed a new steering column-the car has not been involved in any accidents nor have the air bags employed -other than the "clunking" sound there has never been any previous warning that the steering wheel would disengage while driving.

There are sounds when sometimes when turning, including poping or sometimes like a whirling sound. The steering is a bit stiff sometimes and not easy to turn the wheels, this does not happen at any specific speed. I do not have any picture or other document I can upload as this is not physical damage that can be photographed.

Steering column cracks, no help from dealer. Many complaints on internet. Remedy requires expensive new steering column. Defective spindle type bearing defective. The noise is ongoing. It feels like its going to break. Very scary. . . Ongoing doesn't stop. Dealer says wont break just replace if you want to. . . Toyota service bulletin #t-sb-0034-13 details steering column replacement fix issued on this. I have it. Dealer denies simple joint grease kit maintenance option.

My steering makes a clunking sound, which you can actually feel in the steering wheel when it occurs, when turning either left or right. It is increasing in occurrence and intensity. It occurs at any speed. This has been going on for several months. I took it to the dealership and they lubricated something, saying there was no danger. Should it become worse bring it back. It's going back!.

Clunking noise from front end when turning wheels, appeared at approximately 60,000 miles. Took to shop for repairs, and was diagnosed as intermediate steering shaft. Mechanic said it was so loose he could manipulate it with his hand and was close to catastrophic failure.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. While driving, a clunking noise was heard coming from the steering wheel. In addition, while making left or right turns or while the vehicle was stopped, the noise grew louder. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn when the vehicle had not been driven for a couple of days. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but a failure code could not be found. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,493.

Car has only 53k miles and I am being told I need to replace my intermediate shaft. Due to knocking sounds. I am worried if it will result in the steering wheel falling off or worse.

I got hit by a drunk driver while I was at an intersection stationary. I was waiting to make a left turn and an oncoming car going 35 mph crossed lanes and crashed into me. It was a bad accident, both cars involved totalled. I had 4 other passengers in the car, and no airbags went off. I received head injuries (a lot of dizziness), neck and back injuries. ## VIN passed ## Toyota Highlander 2013 ##.

When I turn my steering wheel going very slow or stationary my steering wheel makes a popping sounds and my mechanic says it's the intermediate shaft. Its getting worse as I'm putting miles on it. Since it's a steering component, it's a very serious issue since if it fails I will loose complete control of my car.

Vehicle started making a clunking noise 3 days ago. Brought it into the dealership to have it repaired. Was informed it was not covered under warranty and it would cost $507 in repairs. After reading many complaints about the same issue it actually is making me a little concerned. I have always owned Toyota's and never have had any issues. My mileage is 65,887 I truly believe that this issue needs to be recalled and replaced. I noticed a loud clunking noise when I made left hand turns or if there was a speed bump or a dip. The steering wheel also didn't feel the same either almost like it's loose. I've owned this vehicle for approx 1 year ourcahsed certified pre owned. The dealership really frustrated me today and now I question even keeping this vehicle. If this shaft plans on going out every 30-60k miles id rather dump it and get a different vehicle.

Vehicle had a knocking noise heard and felt from steering wheel when turning. Seemed to be more prominent at lower speeds, occurred when turning right and left. Took vehicle to Toyota dealer and diagnosed as a failed intermediate steering shaft. Vehicle was outside warranty at 54,853 miles. Research indicates this is a common issue with this year Highlander and Toyota has issued a TSB, but has not issued a recall to date. Cost of repair was $463. 34.

The door locks stopped working and I was forced to pay to repair them after owning car for less than 6 months. The power windows fail to operate at random times. There was a similar problem with the 2010 Toyota yaris window panel. The car jumps or skips while accelerating.

Steering makes a popping/clicking sound when making turns. Seems to be getting worse as it started with just turning left and now does it right as well.

While travelling in high speed lane on i80 near sacramento CA. I attempted to adjust telescopic steering wheel and the steering wheel came off in my hands and by grace of god was able to slow and get off road on the hand high speed breakdown lane and somehow remount the steering wheel. Vehicle currently at dealership for repair and I was told that the steering and mount would need to be replaced and will cost in excess of $2000. 00. I have contacted Toyota, started a case file with them and waiting on their reply.

This vehicle has a knocking or clunking sound when turning the steering wheel. This is a common complaint on Toyota Highlanders but Toyota is not offering to fix these vehicles when out of warranty. This is a defect in these vehicles and should be fixed by Toyota free of charge.

There is a clunking noise when turning at low speeds. My mechanic says there is a defect in the design of the steering shaft. He said this commonly occurs with this model Highlander, something supported by numerous complaints about the same issue. Toyota denies responsibility and won't issue a recall, though it is a safety risk.

While turning the steering I feel a klunk this is happens always when turn the wheel. Frustrated really need your help. Regards. .

Knock in the steering wheel when turning.

When turning right the steering was making a clicking/knocking sound. I only have 30000 miles on the car, which I have had 100000 plus miles on cars and never had this issue. Apparently Toyota has diagnosed this with a bad u-joint in the steering intermediate shaft with a hefty price tag to fix. This seems like a complaint from multiple people and on multiple sites. I think this should be looked into by Toyota and considered a recall item. Very disappointed in my Toyota right now.

Knocking sound and vibration felt on steering wheel when turning right. It only occurs in motion.

Toyota 2013 Highlander with 31237 miles had to replace the steering shaft due to thud-thud noise when turning right or left. I bought car new from dealership. Car still under warranty but was told it will probably happen again. Parts and labor estimated to be $500+ each time in the future. According to information on internet this is not a random issue with Highlanders and has been going on for some time. This appears to be a design flaw that is being ignored with the owner being required to foot the bill. Never had a steering shaft issue in the cars I have previously owned some for over 100,000 miles, u. S. Made or non-u. S. Made models. The new part is guaranteed for one year. . . That is not acceptable for a known reoccurring issue of which Toyota is aware . I called Toyota national customer relations in torrance, CA and spoke with representative who was very polite but offered no recourse for this issue. Very disappointed.

My 2013 Toyota Highlander was purchased used in 2015 with about 40,000 miles on it. In 2016 the car started to make a "thumping" noise when I make a left turn over a bump but it didn't happen often and I thought it was related to my garage entry of a 1. 5" bump in the pavement. Most noticeable at low speeds but that may be a result of the lower interior noise. The care has had these noises become more prevalent since I first noticed it. The car has approximately 80,000 miles on it now and it is getting more pronounced. It occurs when you hit any type of bump and more often when turning the vehicle. I have seen many reports of this and expect Toyota to offer their owners a repair for this issue. This is not the type of quality I expect from Toyota having owned a camry (1987), rav-4 (2006) and now my second Highlander (2002 & 2013).

Intermediate steering shaft - noise began around 60k miles and has continued to get worse, now at 104k. If Toyota knowingly made a design change and issued a new replacement part, recall should be issued.

My intermediate steering shaft makes clunk nosies turning left at low speeds and now progress when turning right at times. I have 50k miles and started this issue at 38k miles. It gets louder seems like. Concerned it will effect the safety of the vehicle.

I turned on my car, put it on drive when I tried to press the gas and turn the wheel to get out of the parking lot the steering wheel locked so hard I could not turn it. I pressed on the breaks but the breaks were not functioning at all as I was pressing on the break pad the check engine light came on and so did the break light on the dash board, on the big screen where it shows my info and other fancy gadgets showed "brake malfunction park car in safe zone" as the car drove forward by itself and the brakes were not working the car hit an empty parking space to come to a complete stop. I was at a school parking lot with kids everywhere around me!.

The 2013 Highlander was serviced in florida Monday 10/27 for 15000 miles service, today my sister was driving since service, the taction light came on ,the engine light was flashing , the Highlander was not stable driving straghtt on the road and seemed like it needs a tune up. I called the dealer and it was taken their ,first response was gas put in, yes . Was told possible the cap was not put on wright and with newer cars it could be a malfunction the computer. . Turned out that the ingition coil switch was bad on this 2013 Highlander. Which is why I'm reporting this due to recent issue with another car manufacture knowing the igination switch was bad on their automobiles.