2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Steering Problems

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.

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.

Mileage: 45,500

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.

Mileage: 60,000

'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.

Mileage: 54,000

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.

Mileage: 88,000

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.

Mileage: 43,000

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!

Mileage: 33,000

TL* 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.

Mileage: 29,493

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.

Mileage: 60,000

RE: 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.

Mileage: 68,700

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.

Mileage: 48,500

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

Mileage: 52,500

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.

Mileage: 55,000

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.

Mileage: 35

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. *DT*JB

Mileage: 96,000

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).

Mileage: 60,000

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??

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.

Mileage: 64,000

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).

Mileage: 48,000

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.

Mileage: 65,887

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.

Mileage: 58,000

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?

Mileage: 90,000

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

Mileage: 72,000

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.

Mileage: 48,000

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.

Mileage: 57,665

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.

Mileage: 45,000

KNOCK IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING.

Mileage: 85,000

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.

Mileage: 54,853

THERE IS A CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING. IT SEEMS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM IS FALLING APPART.

Mileage: 60,000

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.

Mileage: 36,000

WHILE TURNING THE STEERING I FEEL A KLUNK THIS IS HAPPENS ALWAYS WHEN TURN THE WHEEL. FRUSTRATED REALLY NEED YOUR HELP. REGARDS..

Mileage: 63,000

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.

Mileage: 70,000

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.

Mileage: 37,000

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.

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.

Mileage: 60,000

STEERING MAKES NOCKING SOUND (AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES) WHEN TURNING RIGHT WHILE IN MOTION

Mileage: 60,000

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.

Mileage: 15,000

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.

Mileage: 30,000

STEERING TSB BY TOYOTA: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND TURNING CORNERS, I FELT POPING CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL. SOMETIMES MADE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE. INSTEAD OF JUST A SERVICE BULLETIN, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE TOYOTA HAS RE-DESIGNED THE FAILING COMPONENT. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER TO HAVE FIXED. WOULD HAVE PAID FULL REPAIR PRICE BUT WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A DISCOUNTED PRICE FOR VEHICLE WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES. COMPONENT SHOULD HAVE EASILY LASTED OVER 125,000 MILES. MAY BE THE SAME AS YOUR 10075792 RECORD.

Mileage: 52,000

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.

Mileage: 31,237

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER THAT MANAGED THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,500.....UPDATED 10-27-15 *BF *CN

Mileage: 48,500

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 BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL AS I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SO DID THE BRAKE 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! *TR

Mileage: 30,500

THE 2013 HIGHLANDER WAS SERVICED IN FLORIDA MONDAY 10/27 FOR 15000 MILES SERVICE, TODAY MY SISTER WAS DRIVING SINCE SERVICE, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON ,THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING , THE HIGHLANDER WAS NOT STABLE DRIVING STRAIGHT 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 RIGHT AND WITH NEWER CARS IT COULD BE A MALFUNCTION THE COMPUTER.. TURNED OUT THAT THE IGNITION 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 IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD ON THEIR AUTOMOBILES. *TR

Mileage: 15,000