2004 Toyota Highlander Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Column
  4
• Gear box › Shaft sector
  2
• Rack and pinion › Rack
  2
• Hydraulic power assist system
  1
• Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
  1
• Steering wheel/handle bar
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  414%
• 25k–50k
  1034%
• 50k–75k
  724%
• 75k–100k
  414%
• 100k–150k
  27%
• 150k+
  27%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Hello, I am the Buyer of the subject Vehicle, Upon doing my research, I found out several reports stating that The subject vehicle's 2.4L engine has manufacturing defect, that causes Head Bolts to get stripped/melt down in to oil causing Engine failures and Life threating risk in the middle of the road.

While traveling through a highway construction zone my car suddenly became hard to steer, and my speed became greater, tried to (break) decelerate the car began sliding out of control-plowing into the road construction barriers part lodged in front passenger windshield. The car went through the ditch became airborne through a rod iron fence shattered the rear second-row right side window spun out , and came to rest just feet from the some pileings. This is the information of my daughter whom is an out of state college senior and very shaken up from this ordeal, this her statement to the best of my knowledge. Possibly the placement of the 🚧 could have been a contributor, and the uncontrollable acceleration. Vehicle was bought used a year ago. Can you help up learn why?

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the battery indicator light illuminated and the power steering failed suddenly. The contact had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN provided was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Highlander. While driving various speeds, the vehicle required greater effort to steer. While steering the vehicle, there was an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic were it was diagnosed that the steering intermediate staff assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

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. …

Wife was driving on clean dry road. Suddenly, the vcs light and traction lights came on the dashboard while alarm sounding came on as well. Car suddenly braked, brakes made a grinding sound, and car jerked to the right. Tried to drive forward and it would not go over 10mph. If the car did, the above happened again. Car was not drivable, and was towed to the nearest Toyota dealership. The situation was very dangerous, as the behavior of the car, not controlled by my wife, the driver, could have easily caused an accident. Turns out, the dealership stated the steering angle sensor went on the car. First...the car only has 53K miles on it. This is not a 'wear and tear' part. This part should never go with only this many miles on it. Garbage. …

I bought a 2004 Toyota Highlander in November of 2003 because my husband and I found out we were pregnant and needed a bigger car. Three months and 5000 miles later I had to be towed to the dealership because of a defect in a chip in the "motherboard." (some sensor defect that caused the asc mechanism to foul up.) anyway, on Monday, the same thing happened again at 50500 miles, but this time the cause was a steering sensor actuator. Of course, the car is no longer under warranty. I raised cane because two major things have caused me to be towed to the dealership with barely 50000 miles on the car. They are paying for the cost of the parts but that's it. I truly believe Toyota should have paid for the entire ordeal, including towing, labor and rental car because of my inconvenience and obvious defect in the car. …

Steering. Looseness when turning left or right. Dealer replaced part (45220-48150 shaft assy) @ a cost of $387.93 (this with a 15% discount). In reading your complaints filed, I note this wasn't t/1st time this has been reported & as stated, there is a dealer service advisory on it. I also took note that there apparently hasn't been any action 2 resolve the matter (ie, the owner continues 2 pay 4 repairs). Should not Toyota b required 2 cover this type of repair ? Like we're talking steering here. Is it going to take someone who just let's the problem go to the point where he/she looses control of the vehicle & there is physical injury or death? I was hesitant to write this up because I don't see where n investigation has been conducted (did I just miss it?). My vehicle has just under 55K miles on it (all of them onroad) &s been maintained by the dealer. …

2004 Highlander - steering failed on major shopping road today. Heard only a hissing sound in the engine compartment with a large plume of dark smoke out the tail pipe. Engine did not quit but was lucky to be able to pull wheel hard right to turn into parking lot. Ai/c stayed on, did not overheat, timing belt just changed, no leaking fluids but most of all no warning lights or check engine lite came on. Had problem last month with A/C which was fixed. What happens to someone driving at 65 on highway and loses ability to steer ... Instant death to driver and perhaps many others. Been a Toyota fan for 30 years but this coupled with other major recalls seriously frightens me to get behind the wheel again. Car was towed to Toyota dealer who has maintained the car since 2004. Awaiting outcome of investigation. Posted 8-9-10.

2004 Toyota Highlander began making a noise which could be felt in the steering wheel, particularly when turning or going over a bump at slow speed. Toyota has a TSB out on this but it is not know to owners, and is not well know at the dealership. This despite hundreds if not thousands of complaints on the web. Furthermore, Toyota reps and the dealer's service writers will tell you face to face it is not a safety issue, but won't put it in writing. When the problem was finally repaired by replacement of the steering shaft, I became aware that prior to the repairs the car was pulling to the left and the steering wheel was hard to turn as the vehicle now track straight and the wheel easy to turn. With such symptoms I feel very strongly that Toyota should be compelled to notify vehicle owners.

Steering complaints in other Highlander years