10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 57,947 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
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.
- Germantown, TN, USA
When turning steering wheel left or right, clunking and popping noises are heard. Vibration and pulsing felt through steering wheel while turning. Informed dealer. They checked it and said it was the intermediate steering shaft. This happens while the vehicle is moving at any speed.
- Farmingville, NY, USA
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
- Westchester, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing steering failure. Freedom Toyota of harrisburg (6060 allentown blvd, harrisburg, pa 17112, (717) 545-4726) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving 20 mph, the intermediate shaft separated from the steering column. The vehicle was pulled over and towed back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer had been contacted. The failure mileage was 62,000.
- Harrisburg, PA, USA
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.
- Heber Springs, AR, USA
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. Consumer stated noise was diagnosed as intermediate steering shaft. Vehicle was repaired.
- Richmond, VA, USA
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.
- Mebane, NC, USA
When driving, steering became difficult while turning. Heard a knock sound at various times. Took to dealer and was told that I needed to have the steering shaft replaced. The cost came to $540. The vehicle only had 70,000 miles. Based on other complaints I see online, it seems that this is a trend and should be a recall volunteered by Toyota.
- Murphy, TX, USA
Clunking when turning the wheel
- Aurora, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. While operating the vehicle, a popping noise was present when turning the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (seeger Toyota, 12833 olive St, St. Louis, mo 63141). Where it was diagnosed that the steering intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but no solution was offered. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 55,000.
- Chesterfield, MO, USA
2012 Toyota Highlander. Consumer writes in regards to intermediate steering shaft failure and horn cable failure. The consumer stated there should be a recall for these failures and to be reimbursed. The vehicle was repaired.
- Glendora, CA, USA
This vehicle presents a high noise bump when steering. The suspension front & back is terrible, causing interior rattles front and back.
- Floral Park, NY, USA
Very shortly after purchase it was immediately noticed that there was difficultly controlling the direction of the vehicle on acceleration. Later it appeared as if there was a high point in the steering. All four tires were changed at 32K miles and now there is a distinct clunk in the steering when turning or accelerating. The car was checked for alignment when the tires were changed. I received no report of suspension or tie rod problems. Clunk became more audible. My research indicates that this is a problem with the intermediate steering shaft. Toyota should recall and fix the problem. This car was bought new and a problem was evident very early. Current mileage less than 33K.
- St. Albans, NY, USA
While driving at highway speeds and exiting a highway, approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel locked up, dashboard flickered, and engine died. The red steering wheel warning light came on briefly, but the wheel could not be turned for several seconds. This happened 3 times in the period of a few minutes. Battery & alternator were tested - no malfunction.
- Austin, TX, USA
Wife was in parking lot after school activity. Went to turn car out of parking spot, was not able to and hit a pole. Steering wheel turned but wheels did not. Towed vehicle to andy mohr Toyota avon. Advised that rack was sheered. Never seen anything like it the two years service writer had been working there. There was no accident prior that would of caused problem. Also dealer indicates steering wire is also damaged. Lucky wife was not on interstate or other highway, accident could of been catastrophic.
- Brownsburg, IN, USA
Popping noise from the intermedia shaft.
- College Point, NY, USA
Repeated popping noise from intermedia shaft. Star Toyota service replaced the intermedia shaft under the warranty with old design part#45220-48170 back in Oct. 2013. The problem resurfaced after 3 year, Oct. 2016. There was a new design from Toyota, part#45220-48171 in 2013. Toyota refused to repair this with warranty. Toyota issued T-sb-0034-13. This issue should be a recall as the intermedia shaft could cause the vehicle to loss control.
- College Point, NY, USA
Intermediate steering shaft 45220-48171 had to be replaced. At high rate of speed I had to brake hard, then the ABS intermittently pushed the pads against the discs creating vibration that was felt at the steering wheel very noisy and shake like looked like my Highlander front wheels came apart.then I knew the vehicle must be repaired immediately due safety problem.
- Northridge, CA, USA
Clunking in steering at slow speed when making sharp left or right turns. Diagnosed as intermediate steering shaft needing replacement. Repaired at Toyota dealership.
- Bradenton, FL, USA
- Euless, TX, USA