Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
From a stop with a turn in either direction on any service in any weather, an audible noise and jolting vibration telegraphs through the steering wheel. Feels like a loose part that May separate in the steering assembly and render the vehicle uncontrollable. First raised with momentum/ fowler Toyota of tulsa 6/14/14 with refusal to repair as a warranty claim @ 41430 miles (dealer would not note in service check-in but promised to inspect). Raised again with jim norton Toyota that would not inspect without the payment of a $100 inspection fee @ 60459 miles. Not sure of safety implications but concerned that failure of the steering shaft could occur. No repair made to date since warranty and/or safety issues could not be resolved. Noted similar complaints in other NHTSA complaints for 2010 highlanders.
I bought my Highlander used in March 2016. The car has had the clunking noise since I bought it but I didn't know it was a known issue with Toyota. I bought an extended warranty but of course it doesn't cover the defect. I am very upset because I have paid for a warranty that doesn't fix what is wrong with the car. I also feel like it falls on the dealership and they should have fixed it before selling. Even though it is not considered a safety issue I don't want it to become a safety issue in the future. I don't feel like I should have to come out of pocket $650 to fix an issue that is known with the manufacturer.
Poor intermediate steering shaft assembly! Popping noise with clunking feel in steering wheel when turning at slow speeds and hitting bumps. Began around 60,000 miles and has progressively gotten worse (now at about 102,000 miles) took in at onset and told it's the intermediate steering shaft assembly. As it's getting worse, it's starting to feel very unsafe. This looks to be a very frequent issue when looking into it online. Don't understand how this is not a recall! My family is trusting Toyota and NHTSA to make correct decisions for our safety!
Steering wheel would exhibit a loud clunking noise when turning wheel left or right. Did not feel safe to drive. Toyota mechanic diagnosed the problem as the intermediate steering shaft which he recommended replacing. Toyota knows of this problem since they issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) t-tt-0223-13 for this repair. There is also an NHTSA # 10062035 on this situation. Toyota should pay for this costly repair since I feel it is a safety defect and should be recalled
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving and making right turns, there was an abnormal clunking sound on the driver's side front of the vehicle. Adams Toyota kansas city located at 501 ne colbern rd, lee's summit, mo 64086, [phone], was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
While I was driving, the steering wheel locked and I was not able to move the car. I put the car on pkg and it got locked too. Could not put in reverse or drive. Windows got locked too. The ABS system light up. A miracle that few minute before I exited a highway. A tow truck took the car and it has been in the Toyota dealer for the past week and they do not now what is wrong with the car
When turning steering wheel a clicking noise is heard. There is a TSB out on this problem while vehicle is in motion a noise was heard, and a loud humming noise is coming from the rear. Vehicle was inspected to find problem and differential assembly need to be replaced. There is a TSB out on this problem
There is a clunking noise when turning at low speed and after inspecting the cv joint, I realized this is not a cv joint problem. Upon further research, I now realize this noise is associated with the "intermediate steering shaft" which needs to be replace.
I'd stopped on the residential street to let a car pass. After the car passed, I attempted to pull up along the curb to park, but the car accelerated and crashed into a tree. The brakes did not respond and the steering did not seem to respond. The space between acceleration and impact was 10-15 feet. It's like the car had a mind of its own, and I had no control. No warning lights came on and the airbags did not deploy. The passenger side headlight was smashed, the hood was smashed, front bumper and passenger side fender were also smashed. The only thing that stopped the car was the tree. Once it stopped, I simply turned the ignition off. I immediately called my insurance company and they told me to tow it to san francisco Toyota for mechanical inspection. I called san francisco Toyota and said that I was towing my car down and was told they'd be waiting for it. …
NHTSA investigations
Upper Steering Column Separation
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion.
Steering Column Separation
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism.
Steering complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2010 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Toyota Highlander, 10% of the model year's 216 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Toyota Highlander steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2010 Toyota Highlander, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Toyota Highlander steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.