Steering Column Problems of Toyota Highlander - part 1

Mileage on 2008 Highlander sport is 159226. Wife adjusted steering telescope/tilt when slowing to stop sign. Steering wheel column came off in her lap.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

A clunking or thumping noise comes from the lower steering column as you make a left or right hand turn. The thumping noise has been steadily increasing over the past weeks.

See all problems of the 2009 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

I started experiencing a clunk in the steering wheel column when turning the wheel to the left for parking . It happened a couple of times so I took it to my regular Toyota dealership for service. After test driving the car they told me it was the steering intermediate shaft that needed to be replaced. I felt I had no choice so had them do the work and it cost $782. 30 for parts / labor plus $134. 95 for alignment. Total of $917. 25. I found out that Toyota had issued a technical service bulletin #t-sb-0034-13 on February 21,2013 sent to all Toyota repair shops addressing this issue. They told the mechanics how to replace this equipment and that "a new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this condition". To me that means that in 2013 they knew it was a design flaw and corrected the problem by designing a new shaft. If they had notified the 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander customers then that this would be an issue, many would have still been under warranty and it would have been covered. But instead they waited until people had the problem, brought their cars in for repair and then charged them whatever the going rate is. In the technical service bulletin is clearly states that this would be covered under a basic warranty for Toyota. I spoke to my service advisor and he referred me to Toyota headquarters. I called there and spoke to two "senior customer advisors" and basically was told I was out of luck. . . No recall, no campaign and no customer remuneration. When I look online it's clear that my Highlander is not the only one who has had to deal with this issue and spend hundreds of dollars for the repair. I think this is an issue that Toyota should have to own up to !!.

See all problems of the 2011 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Steering wheel is clicking very bad when making turns. Car shop checked everything out and decided it was coming from the steering column. Car was in a prior car accident in 2012 with no reported frame damage. Taking car to local Toyota dealership, as recommended from regular car shop.

Investigation ea18006. My car has been making a clunking sound in the steering column during slow turns to the right so I did an internet search and found numerous discussions and articles talking about a 'known' issue with the steering column. One article led me to your investigation. While at the dealer yesterday, I explained the issue and asked them to investigate. They said for $70 they can look into it. Given I consider steering a critical system, I protested the service charge and their only response was they could do a 'visual' inspection for free but it should be looked at deeply to diagnose properly. I had them proceed and they came back with a suggestion that the steering column be replaced. I asked if it was a safety concern and was told 'yes it will be at some point'. Obviously, I had them replace it but feel that if there is a safety issue here, they should be proactive and replace these steering columns on all affected products before someone gets hurt. I sent a concern to Toyota as well but wanted to add this to your active investigation record.

See all problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

I have heard a knocking noise when turning my vehicle either wayfor the last several months. While in for regular service today, I asked dealer to check the noise. This is a 2013 with 60k miles on it; purchased certified used a couple of years ago. Service tech tells me it is related to the steering column, which will cost over $2000 to repair. He can't/ won't tell me the significance of this issue, saying maybe it is "just a noise". When I question that this seems like an unusually expensive repair at 60k miles, he does not really respond. A quick google search reveals that this is an extensive issue impacting many 2008-2013 Highlanders. Toyota has gone so far as to have put out a technical service bulletin regarding this issue. It also appears this issue is being "investigated" by safety board. Steering is a critical safety component of a vehicle (obviously). Not only has this not been made an official recall by Toyota, I was not informed at time of purchasing this certified vehicle of this issue, nor was I told today by service that this is an ongoing issue.

I started feeling a clicking/clunking feeling in the steering column a month ago, especially when I made turns. I was also able to feel that the steering wheel has started to get looser. On 2/8/19 Toyota recommended that the intermediate steering shaft be replaced. I had this part replaced for $428. There's 58,254 miles on the vehicle. This is my 3rd Toyota vehicle in 30 years and I have never had any major problems in the past. I understand the new shaft may have an improved design I hope so it does not occur again. I am very disappointed that there has not been a recall to replace this part. Does there need to be a serious accident or even someone getting killed in a car accident because of this faulty intermediate steering shaft??.

Every time you turn the steering wheel either left or right but it gets worst in the right it will make a thud sound and you can feel it in the steering wheel , I noticed that 4 years ago and it's goes noticed on and off but nowadays it is more frequent and a friend of mine had similar complaint coz we had both the same car car but mine is 2 years older and assembled in japan . . . Probably the steering column that they used.

Tl-the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there were issues with the steering. The issue had been fixed at the dealer freedom Toyota of harrisburg allentown blvd, harrisburg, PA 17112(717) 545-4726 . Last night the intermediate shaft in the steering had separated from the steering column while driving at 20 mph. The vehicle was able to be stopped onto the side of the road. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and they will diagnose the issue and get back in touch with the contact. The manufacturer had not been contacted yet. The failure mileage was 62,000. Tf.

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This vehicle has a knocking/clunking/clanking/thumping sound when turning the steering wheel. It sounds dangerous and I wonder if the steering column will break apart while driving. This has been happening for a while, but the dealers are always unable to replicate it, some say that it is a common problem. It has become worse recently.

When turning or over bumps the steering column makes clunking noise. Has become louder with time.

Drove to store, when vehicle in park, went to drive home. When I went to adjust telescoping steering wheel via little lever, the whole steering wheel came off the column into my hands, tried putting it back in place, got it on column, the anti skid light light came on while driving initiating the braking system,anti-skid, cannot drive above 5 mph because it activates anti skid, makes a lot of noise, slows the vehicle back down approx. 75200 miles on vehicle,.

My steering wheel on VIN#(xxxx) feels clunky when I turn corners. It scares me, like it feels like a ghost is jacking it abruptly into the turn it does not happen all the time. I went to this site to check up on problems, and recalls. Put my VIN # in and lo and behold, people have experienced this same thing and found that the whole steering column became loose and had to be changed out! this ought to be a recall. I'm scared. To check up on the site I used go here: https://driving-tests. Org/VIN-decoder/ put my VIN in and you'll see 1/3 way down the page "most recent complaints" there you will read what is happening to my SUV. I bought the car used from a Toyota dealership and the warranty is not going to be used on this because they don't know of any recall. Do I wait until my steering column becomes loosened? this has been happening intermittently from summer til present time. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Upper steering column detached from steering shaft while vehicle was in motion, immediately after driver adjusted the tilt feature. Vehicle was on interstate highway traveling 70 mph when incident occurred. Driver was able to slow vehicle down and reattach steering wheel. No crash or injuries resulted. After incident, driver visited two different Toyota dealerships to inquire about any bulletins or notices regarding the issue. Both dealers could not find any bulletins or notices. Vehicle appears to have previous front-end damage from previous crash, as evidenced by misaligned front bumper cover.

Upon turning steering wheel, even slightly, an obvious "clunking" noise is heard and felt through the steering column. The mileage on the car was approximately 62k. At 70k I am having it repaired although I was told there wasn't a safety issue. The sound seems to have increased in the last 8k miles.

When I drive the vehicle you can hear a clunking sound in the steering column. It happens at low and high speeds. When make a turn right, or left you hear clunking is the steering column. It feels like the steering wants to come off, took it to the dealer and they state to fix it will cost over 1000$. I head there was a defect in the steering column which Toyota knows about, but has not done anything to recall and fix the problem.

Vehicle shut off during driving, causing all electrical systems to fail including the electronic steering, which since vehicle also turned off, caused the steering column to lock up. Since the problem occurred at speed and infact while making a turn, a near collision occured. The problem occured multiple times in succession and was also intermittent with much time elapsing between episodes. Two other types of related occurrences during this timeframe were the (1) vehicle also cycling off and on and (2) would also turn on itself if the key was in the vicinity of the vehicle. Toyota of seattle experienced the issues when the vehicle was brought in and diagnosed the issue to be a loose bolted connection of the negative electrical wire from the battery to the frame of the vehicle. Though the vehicle has experienced similar issues since tightening of the negative wire bolts. Ongoing issues include the electrical system cycling off and on while driving including the navigation and front console display. The vehicle was bought in September 2014 and had less than 25k miles as of April 2016. On two prior instances electrical issues were identified and documented to Toyota of seattle and the vehicle was kept for testing. The first electrical issue occured with the adaptive cruise control failing and thereby requiring passenger intervention to avoid collision. This cruise control failure first seemed to occur in December 2015. Toyota of seattle did not find any fault and sent me away. The second prior electrical issue of the battery prematurely failing occurred in March 2016. The readings indicated some odd draws. Toyota of seattle replaced the battery and sent me away without addressing the odd draws. The vehicle's safety remains suspect with ongoing electrical cycling off and on while driving.

See all problems of the 2014 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Noticed a noise coming from underneath steering column assembly and steering didn't feel right. This happens almost every time we made a turn to either the right or the left. Same thing happened when backing out of the driveway. We then took our 2005 Toyota Highlander in to our mechanic and he advised us that the steering column flex coupling was lose and unsafe to drive due to potential ball barriering lose. Clicking sound went away once steering was repaired. There was also a big difference in the steering.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

On my 2007 Toyota high lander the horn has stopped working I have no horn , when I press the horn button it does not sound the horn. I took it to the dealer and they check the horn and the dealer said it was working after I left the dealer it did not work , I askedthe service adviser and he said its an intermittent problem, , the horn still does not work I still have no working horn, something is grounding out in the steering column. I still have no working horn and the dealer cant find the problem.

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Light on cruise control lever on steering column flickers off and on if vehicle is in motion and steering column is in use. Alternator in car already required replacement at 73,000. Dealership was advised of issue and I was told there was nothing wrong with the lever.

See all problems of the 2015 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Noise occurs while turning in the steering column. The "clunking" and vibrations are felt within the steering wheel. The part from Toyota was remanufactured in 2011 to realce the current part given it was a default part not lasting long. It is a safety issue given it is the mechanism that connects the steering wheel to the front shaft assembly. Should that have issue, break etc. While driving or turning it can be accidental or fatal. The dealership mentioned that while it may not be a safety issue, its not fully determined that it is not. For the part to be re-manufactured differently, there must have been knowledge of a faulty part. This needs to be remedied by Toyota. Part is intermediate steering shaft.

The steering column is making a thunking-type of noise when turning, usually at low speeds, around corners (not slight turns, such as when the road changes on the freeway). It's been documented in my records at least since 30,000 miles, just out of Toyota's warranty period. The car dealer reported that they were unable to duplicate the issue at the 30,000 service, as documented. It wasn't happening as frequently then, but now at 60,000 miles, it's constant. It seems to be related to the steering shaft/intermediate steering shaft. There appears to be a service bulletin from the manufacturer, but no further investigation/research presented. Since I am aware of what part is failing, I want to get it fixed, as I've read that this part, if it fails, could cause the car to fail, but don't want to pay money for a part that is considered defective.

In motion on city streets steering column makes clunk noise when turning left or right, also on highway steering column rattles. It started 6-15-2014 until present day 12-28-2015.

2005 Toyota Highlander. Consumer states the steering column was making a clicking noise each time the steering wheel was turned the vehicle was inspected and it was determined the steering column needed to be lubricated, but there was no way to lubricate it, to eliminate the sound. The consumer was advised it was not a safety issue, but the only way to correct it, was to install a new steering box which would cost between $400-500.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated he heard a clanking noise when driving approximately 10 mph. The contact also stated he could feel a bump in the steering column during the failure. The failure recurred whenever turns were made at low speeds. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 141,000.

There is a distinct cluck from the steering column at slow speeds and while turning (indicating something is loose or not tight), I have read there is a technical service bulletin from Toyota for this issue but I believe this could be a safety issue as it requires the replacement of the intermediate shaft on the steering column. TSB # st001-06 for Highlander and camry.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. While driving 25 mph and making a turn, the contact heard a clicking sound coming from the steering column including the sound of metal rubbing together. The contact said that there was a flaw in the manufacturers design. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was advised that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was also advised to file a complaint. The failure mileage were 59,000. The VIN was not available. The current mileage was not available.

Highlander recently received 30k service at Toyota dealer. Car mileage was approximately 29k. The service advisor reported that the intermediate shaft in the steering column was making a clunk type sound and should be replaced. He believed Highlanders and tacoma's had been having a problem. He did not think the part would break but that the part had been redesigned and will need to be replaced.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Bout my 2004 Highlander 3 months ago, used, with 46k miles on it. I took it to my mechanic last week to get the oil changed and tires rotated. He took it for a drive and said that it won't pass inspection in 3 months because of the steering. There is a clunk in the steering, which I never thought was abnormal but he said it is. He also said there is a service bulletin out on it. I called the dealer and made an appointment for next week. I seriously had better not have to pay for this.

2005 year model Toyota Highlander. There had been a steering wheel "knocking" since about 5000 mi. It could only be detected when gently turning (wiggling) the steering wheel. I took is to Toyota dealer shortly before the three year factory warranty expired. The whole steering column assembly was replaced. I was not told what the problem was but it could be a serious safety hazard if the cv joint is defective.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. While driving various speeds or stationary, the steering wheel would make a knocking vibration when it was turned. The failure progressively worsened. The dealer stated that the entire steering wheel shaft/column assembly needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $550. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 67,000.

Noisy steering shaft caused me to take car to dealership, where I was told the shaft was 'worn' (tiny bearings within the shaft were worn) and the shaft was replaced. Dealer informed me they'd seen this problem on other Toyota Highlanders, and on their economy Toyota prisms as well, but manufacturer had not issued any recalls. I paid the bill using my extended warranty.

This is not a complaint or accident report but a report of facts that may benefit others. 2005 model Toyota Highlander, steering knocking/clunking. It can be detected by wiggling the steering wheel within 5 degrees. It is worse when the steering is loaded, e. G. When negotiating bends and minor curves. Taken to a Toyota dealer and they decided that whole steering wheel shaft assembly needs to be replaced. I am waiting for the parts to come in. I am reporting because this may not be an isolate case. The problem is not easily detectable by unsuspected drivers. Yet it's a serious safety problem.

Steering shaft on the 2004 Toyota Highlander did not feel safe, felt loose and noisy when turning. Toyota refusesd to fix the problem under warranty, a TSB was issued in January 2006, which indicated Toyota's awareness of the problem, but did not want to publicly admit it. While driving it felt like the steering column coud break off, and if that happened, it could have caused many deaths.

2005 Highlander steering column shaft was bent, this caused vehicle to make a rattling noise. The rattling occurred when going over road expansion gaps and minor bumps. *****.