Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% | 49,000 miles |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2021 | 9 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 6 | 2% | 16,000 miles |
| 2019 | 8 | 2% | 4,000 miles |
| 2018 | 10 | 4% | 16,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% | 106,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 5% | 41,000 miles |
| 2015 | 25 | 13% | 35,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% | 24,000 miles |
| 2013 | 46 | 22% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 46 | 25% | 68,000 miles |
| 2011 | 34 | 19% | 90,000 miles |
| 2010 | 21 | 10% | 83,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 8% | 94,000 miles |
| 2008 | 40 | 10% | 95,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% | 68,000 miles |
| 2006 | 16 | 6% | 105,000 miles |
| 2005 | 26 | 12% | 55,000 miles |
| 2004 | 35 | 12% | 51,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% | 140,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicle had a very loud high pitch whining noise the rapid accelerated I was braking and brakes were not working vehicle screen was flashing Vehicle Malfunction. yes vehicle is available. I could not stop the vehicle I struck three signs and a lady fell down as i was approaching the the building very fast, hit a wrought iron black fence and it fell on a park vehicle and then i hit a park vehicle and it stop i threw it in park. i am not sure. Insurance company After the vehicle accelerated there was a message saying VEHICLE MALFUNCTION, not before the accident.
Headed westbound on 285 in Georgia; hit on passenger side front door and vehicle swerved several lanes and hit a wall going 60 miles per hour. The airbags did not deploy. I was injured badly and the vehicle was totaled.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled and abruptly stopped in traffic at a traffic light. The driver exited the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart, and the steering wheel was inoperable. The contact was concerned the vehicle might move forward. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the message "High Power Consumption" was displayed. The ignition and steering warning lights were illuminated, and "Low Power" message was displayed. The vehicle was running but failed to move. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V162000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) and Special Service Campaign 21TC05. Bystanders nearby attempted to assist the contact. The Emergency Services was contacted, and the Local Police responded to the scene. The insurance company was called and arranged a tow. …
In my 2020 Highlander I approached a stop sign at a "T" intersection behind 4 other cars. After stopping and looking to see road was clear of oncoming traffic, I pulled out and started my left turn. As I was turning into my lane the car engine turned OFF and the steering wheel was LOCKED in the left position. There was no power for the brakes, which left me jamming on the brake pedal as hard as I could only slowing the car slightly. The steering wheel was LOCKED LEFT and I thought I was going to break it trying to force it back. With no ability to move the steering wheel or brake, I braced myself as the Highlander continued turning in the left direction into the other lane. The result was a head on collision with a Mini Cooper, both cars totaled, and injuring both myself and the other driver. …
While entering a business park's parking lot, my vehicle suddenly and immediately stopped all forward movement. I was thrown against the steering wheel, injuring the right side of my chest and scraping the skin off my right forearm which was covered with the sleeve of my shirt. I was dazed, had no idea what happened, and thought that I had hit something but yet no airbags had deployed. When the vehicle stopped it was near a light post which I assumed I had hit. Upon exiting the vehicle I noticed the front tire was blown and the wheel was sitting on the ground at an odd angle. Walking around the vehicle showed no other body damage other that a few small strips of yellow paint from the base of the light post. When the tow truck driver was placing the chains to load it onto the flatbed, he called my attention to the fact that the drivers side control arm had failed. …
Vehicle constantly drift to the left which make it very unsafe because the driver is in a continuous correction mode to remain in one lane - can inspect anytime, alignment and tire rotation has been complied with at least 8 times within the last 3 months by Toyota Dealer and Firestone conclusion alignment is OK sometimes with minor correction. I'm constantly holding pressure on the steering to the right and left to remain in my lane doesn't matter about the road. The problem is worst on multi - lanes in the same direction with tractor trailers passing due to air current.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel inadvertently locked. The warning message "ETS Failure - Steering Will Be Harder to Steer" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated he forcefully steered the steering wheel and veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle and as he restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel was still significantly difficult to steer. The contact stated he was able to drive the vehicle to the nearest dealer, though the steering wheel was significantly difficult to steer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a computer system malfunction. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000. The VIN was not provided.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to turn left or right, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. The contact waited for several minutes before being able to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The failure had occurred several times and had become more persistent. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the body throttle, air control system, and battery sensor had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Electric power assist system
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Sudden loss of power steering assist
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe06-055 based on two complaints of loss of EPS assist in 43,931 my 2006 Toyota highlander hybrid vehicles.one of the complaints alleged that a loss in power steering assist resulted in a crash.in response to an information request letter from odi, Toyota submitted information about 6 additional consumer complaints, including 2 alleging crashes, and 109 warranty…
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (46), 2013 (46), 2008 (40), 2004 (35) and 2011 (34) model years. Steering complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-144 (electric power assist system, Mar 13, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (8 mentions), followed by the gear box › shaft sector (3).
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.