Steering Pinion Shaft Problems of Toyota Highlander

Making popping noise in steering wheel when turning. Took to dealership where I have it serviced and they informed me it was the steering shaft assembly. Which cost $273 dollars before labor. My understanding is that they have had problems with the 2008 to 2013 models. In my opinion this is a safety issue and should be covered by Toyota.

See all problems of the 2012 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.

See all problems of the 2013 Toyota 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.

2005 Toyota Highlander 4x4 v6. The steering became jerky when turning and especially when going over bumps. The intermediate shaft assembly had to be replaced to fix the issue. The technician researched it and there have been two technical bulletins put out by Toyota and they have redesigned the original part so that it is no longer available and has a new part number. The Toyota dealership also stated that just lubricating the assembly does not work. My mechanic stated that he has fixed a number of these on Highlanders, rav4s, and avalons. In my opinion the old part adversely affects the steering and safe handling of the vehicle and should have been recalled by Toyota when the part was redesigned.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

I noticed a clunking noise and "sensation" in the steering wheel when traveling at a slow speed especially when turning corners or on a bumpy road. In December, 2007 I took the Highlander to the dealer and was first told that it was not a problem and just needed some lubrication. When I questioned the service manager further about the possibility of it being dangerous, I was told that it "could be a problem and that the steering shaft should be changed". I was told that the column could "lock up", causing loss of steering. After further questioning, the dealership gave me a copy of the Toyota technical service bulletin dated February 2006, obviously Toyota was well aware of the possible danger, I was also told that it was not an unusual problem. They would fix the problem at a cost of $450 to me since the car was no longer under warranty. My warranty expired in may of 2007, almost a year after the technical service bulletin was issued. It appears that Toyota purposely has not issued a recall in order to save money. Those of us who own a 2004 Highlander are now out of warranty and out of luck. Since this is a potential danger and Toyota was aware of the problem for well over a year, I believe that Toyota should be responsible for all needed repairs and a recall issued.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Highlander 🔎.