Steering Noise Problems of Toyota Highlander

Steering shaft clunking noise when turn left or right at low speed. Confirmed steering intermediate shaft failure by ira Toyota technician on 7/31/2020 . This is 3rd times failure. 1st failure was Jan/2012 and 2nd time failure was 11/2013.

See all problems of the 2012 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Clunking noise from steering column started in July of 2020 and is getting worse current mileage is 130000. I mostly here the noise while turning the steering wheel and also feel the click in the sterring wheel.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

�thunk�/popping noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. Was told to replace the intermediate steering shaft, and learned that a new one was developed to fix this problem in 2013 but no recall or safety notice was sent to owners.

See all problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

For several months now I have been hearing a clucking noise when turning the steering wheel left or right and upon breaking a thud sound in the front of my car. After taking my car in to the dealership they came back and said that the noise was coming from the intermediate shaft. I asked well how do you damage a whole intermediate shaft? they said it occurs over a period of time. My vehicle has 92,000 miles on it but its been maintained and serviced and not driven roughly but to make a long story short they said it would cost me about $615. 00 to have the vehicle repaired plus an additional $89. 95 for the alignment. This appears to be a manufacture issue and needs to have a recall. I'm very disappointed in Toyota since they pride themselves as being one of the leading auto makers around the world.

It makes a loud clicking noise when you steer at all times.

Steering makes noise (clanks) under turning and acceleration. I spoke with Toyota and there is a TSB for the steering column which has several reported failures and many complains. There is an ongoing NHTSA engineering investigation. Toyota dealership wants around $1000 to repair.

Intermediate steering shafts clunk noise. Frequently while driving.

See all problems of the 2011 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Clunking noise from steering wheel. Internet search revealed possibility of steering wheel coming off resulting in accident. This could be a severe problem and needs a recall.

Popping noise in steering wheel when turning left or right at slow speeds.

Tl the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. While the contact was backing the vehicle out of the driveway, a popping noise was heard from the steering column. The noise occurred for at least six months and was becoming more frequent. The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer (mcgeorge Toyota, 9319 w broad street, henrico, va 23294) to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,987.

My complaint is about steering column noises, play, looseness and feedback through the steering wheel. It is described in a service bulletin: TSB-0034-13 I have 97,000 miles on the vehicle and the play is becoming more noticeable as mileage increases. It is very disappointing that Toyota knew about this issue and issued the TSB before I purchased it new. How are owners supposed to be notified about these things while under warranty?.

Crunch noise in the steering column when making turns.

When vehicle is being turned, specifically to the right, there is a popping and clunking noise coming from the steering column. When turning the vehicle, the steering wheel began to allow extra travel play which almost caused a crash. There is an existing technical service bulletin t-sb-0034-13 which outlines a replacement steering intermediate shaft.

There is a clucking noise in the steering when turning. It seems like the steering wheel mechanism is falling appart.

Clunking noise within the steering when I turn, especially at lower speeds. Took it to a repair shop and they indicated it was the intermediate steering shaft. 48,000 miles at the time.

I am the first owner of this vehicle and bought it new from a Toyota dealer. My 2013 Highlander has 54,700 miles. For almost one year (starting may, 2018), I am experiencing a clunk and knocking noise from the steering column when making a right or left turn. Now more recently, I am experiencing it more often, and worried about the safe operation of the vehicle. I have found after a research that this steering column issue is widespread and Toyota has changed the design of the steering intermediate shaft, and recommending to change with this revised part to rectify the issue. The old part# was 45220-48170, which has been re-designed by Toyota as new part# 45220-48171. If this is a safety issue and required to change the design, then Toyota must change this part and rectify the issue free of cost.

Tl the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Highlander. While driving unknown speeds, there was an abnormal knocking and popping noise when turning the steering wheel left and right. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called the local dealer (five star Toyota of milledgeville, 2816 n columbia st, milledgeville, GA 31061, (478) 387-2112) and was informed to schedule a service appointment. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA action number: pe18005 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 156,000.

Tl the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Highlander. While driving at low speeds or going over a bump in the road, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to steve landers Toyota (10825 colonel glenn rd, little rock, ar 72204, (501) 568-5800) where it was diagnosed that the intermediate shaft in the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,396.

While driving at low speeds there is a popping noise in the steering column. The steering wheel can be turned slightly left or right and the noise is heard.

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Have noise in steering shaft at low speed when turning and backing up and pulling forward . Toyota dealer checked at 50,000 mile while still under warranty and said they could not duplicate noise . When having oil change at 62000 miles mentioned it again to service man and was told it probably is the steering intermediate shaft they always go bad in that year and Toyota will not replace unless I pay for it. Have been in touch with Toyota directly and they had the dealer calkl me twice to set up appointment to look at the car. When I was told that I would have to pay a diagnostic fee to see what is wrong and would have to pay for any repairs ,I declined ,was told then they were going to get back to Toyota factory representative , this was the week of 12/10 2018.

This vehicle presents a high noise bump when steering. The suspension front & back is terrible, causing interior rattles front and back.

Our 2013 Highlander developed a light clunking noise in the steering column after a accident in October of 2013. We thought nothing of it until December 2017 when the clunking increased in loudness and frequency. We have the problem checked out by gullo Toyota of conroe, texas. They found the mid steering column shaft that was failing and causing the clunking noise and recommended replacing this part for safety reasons. We concurred and had the work completed. I discussed this situation with the service rep at gullo to see if they could determine the cause of this part failure. They could not suggest any cause so I suggested that the accident the vehicle was involved in in October of 2013 might be the culprit. Gullo would not confirm the possibility by would work with my insurance company, usaa. Usaa has rejected this theory and will not pay for the repair of the steering column's mid shaft. This part should not be failing.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. Every time a turn was made, the steering shaft made a noise. The failure has occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased in July of 2016. The dealer diagnosed that the shaft assembly failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle exceeded the mileage to be repaired under technical service bulletin: 0034-13. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

At 40,000 miles I noticed for the first time a clunking noise in the steering column when I turned the steering wheel right or left while at a slow speed. Over the next few weeks it worsened. I looked up the issue on the internet and found dozen of similar occurrences in this same model with vehicle owners reporting having to replace the steering shaft. Sometimes if left long enough, I read that this has lead to steering failure. I took the Highlander to my dealer today who determined the steering shaft required replacement which will cost around $600. This to me is a safety issue because who knows what would have happened if I had let this go. I have maintained this car exactly as recommended in the owners manual. This does not seem like this is normal wear and tear. I have owned over a dozen vehicles in the last 40 years and have never experienced a problem with the steering shaft. I am curious with so many other occurrences of this safety issue by other vehicle owners why this hasn't resulted in a recall to repair all Highlanders of this vintage with this steering shaft.

Tl-the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 mph and making a right turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the intermediate shaft and TSB needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,800. Djr.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph and making a left turn, a loud noise emitted from the steering wheel. The failure recurred each time the contact turned left or right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Turning left or right there is a clicking noise and a click in the steering wheel mainly at slow speed & if just bearing moving - very low speed. Numerous reports have been turned into Toyota - yet they will not do a recall - appears that the steering shaft is the problem. Have been told hundreds have had to be replaced in phoenix alone. Can you request from Toyota how many of these shafts the dealers have purchased? Toyota will not tell me when I requested this information. Our vehicle has less than 25k miles on it & it is 7 years old so it isn't an abused vehicle. This problem is also on other Toyota models / years I've been told.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. While turning the steering wheel in either direction, a popping noise emitted from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the intermediate steering shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Our car makes a clicking noise in the steering column when u turn to the right . It is very noticeable and loud. This concerns me as the safety of my family is very important.

The contact owns 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while parked the rear passenger door side seat belt would not release and as a result it had to be cut. The contact also stated he heard a knocking noise emitting from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated the seat belt and the lower steering shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 82,600 and the current mileage was 93,000. Updated 12/12/12.

Steering wheel make a noise like a bolt is missing.

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The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 5 mph and attempting a turn, the contact heard an unusual clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. The dealer was unable to duplicate or determine where the noise had come from. The contact stated the noise was heard one additional time. There were no repairs made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 32,000 and the current was 44,000.

There has been a noticeable increase in steering wheel noise and play in my 2005 Toyota Highlander. The issue was noticed around 40,000 miles becoming increasingly worse in a only a few months. Mileage now is 46,000. Took vehicle to dealership and was told the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. After researching this issue it appear there is a defect in this part or design posing a serious safety risk.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

I noticed a looseness & clicking noise in my steering while either parked or moving very slowly. A local mechanic I use diagnosed it as a worn rack & pinion (r&p) gear where it meets the steering column. I have an extended warranty on my '05 Toyota Highlander v6 with 60k miles. I brought car to king Toyota in deerfield beach, FL and they said there is a Toyota service bulletin on this problem which disassembles & lubricates the steering column. They said if that doesn't fix problem then they would change the r & p assembly. As a former airline maintenance planner I don't know how a lube would fix noise & looseness in a steering assembly. . . It felt like a worn part. If true, why did the steering column lose its lube after only 60k miles. . Was the lube missing from new & that's what caused the wear. . . If it was lubed was it a defective seal. Is the lube a stop gap way to delay a recall? my mechanic said & my own experience tells me something isn't right. . . This is a steering & possible vehicle control issue. Most of my driving is highway above 40-70mph, so I was concerned because my family & my life are at stake.