2004 Toyota Highlander Steering Problems
- 22
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- steering wheel · 8 records
- steering angle · 5 records
- angle sensor · 5 records
- failure mileage · 4 records
- steering shaft · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
| 60–100k mi | 5 |
| 100–150k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
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…
ODI 10883405
Electrical System · Steering
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…
ODI 10670096
Steering
With no warning or prior indication of any problem, the steering rack and pinion broke making the vehicle completely un-steerable. Toyota repair found that the power steering pump belt was broken and the pump had locked up. The vehicle was being driven on a freeway through the mountains and it was just fortunate that the incident occurred on one of the few straight stretches and it was possible to keep the vehicle…
ODI 10479785
Steering
The steering angle sensor went on randomly during driving, the traction control indicator light was on, causing engine speed slow down and sluggish on road, it happened a few times. I drove slowly to the dealer, it costs over $600.00 to fix the problem, i am very disappointed at toyota. *tr
ODI 10434744
Steering
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…
ODI 10348382
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact stated when the engine was started the steering angle sensor warning light illuminated and the steering became difficult to handle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who performed a diagnostic that was unable to locate a failure. The vehicle was test driven and the failure was recreated. The dealer replaced the steering angle sensor. The failure and the…
ODI 10393110
Steering
Steering wheel make a noise like a bolt is missing. *tr
ODI 10281722
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 5 mph and attempting a turn, the contact heard an unusual clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. The dealer was unable to duplicate or determine where the noise had come from. The contact stated the noise was heard one additional time. There were no repairs made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 32,000 and the…
ODI 10326584
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The vehicle was stationary. The contact started the ignition and turned the steering wheel to the left and the right. The steering wheel exhibited a slight vibration and noise. The failure occurred whenever the steering wheel was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the vehicle could be driven and if the failure…
ODI 10313128
Steering
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…
ODI 10269450
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
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…
ODI 10259942
Steering
While driving on busy highway the steering of my toyota became impossible i managed to get car off of road . Had vehicle towed to garage the steering angle sensor had gone bad the mechanic advised me that this was a dangerous situation. I was also informed that there had been a technical service bulletin sent out on this situation. I just feel that the owners need to be aware of this situation and toyota should take…
ODI 10247652
Steering
After starting my car and driving it two blocks, the vsc light and audible warning buzzer went on at the same time my car lost tracking and started veering to the left. I was able to get the car home, but the same thing happened as soon as i drove it 3 blocks to a service station. Diagnostics discovered the steering angle sensor was defective. The part was replaced for $630.11. I see this as extremely dangerous as…
ODI 10247404
Steering
Heard a clicking sound when turning the steering wheel left or right. *tr
ODI 10250016
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Steering · Wheels
2004 highlander, having same problems as all other reported problems for this vehicle. Hesitation, steering shaft replacement, 2 wheel bearing replacements, lousy original tires, bad sodering of heat/air board leading to not working properly, can not have back windows down due to noise and vehicle shaking, had rear wiper motor replaced within 1st month of ownership. While i did purchase the extended warranty, which…
ODI 10273069
Steering
2004 toyota highlander brakes engaged when accelerator was depressed. Customer states that he was in a parking lot hit the accelerator and the brakes applied, and that made the engine stall. He was unable to start the vehicle. *kb the dealer found the steering angel sensor was not out putting correctly which caused the vsc to activate. *jb
ODI 10203753
Steering
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…
ODI 10177404
Steering
Loose and noisy steering shaft, does not feel safe to drive. *jb
ODI 10184188
Steering
Noticed free play and a clunking in steering wheel @15,000 miles. More pronounced on turns with bumps. Complained to dealer about condition and they said it was the steering shaft had excessive play in shaft joint. Had to wait over 1 month for the part to arrive. Steering shaft assembly part#45220-48150 was replaced. *jb
ODI 10156443
Electrical System · Steering
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…
ODI 10145437
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline · Steering
Identical to complaint #10114548 my event happened january 6, 2005 with less than 10,000 miles on vehicle. Now, at 35,750 miles, i have o2 sensor problems on a routine basis(3rd sensor on order from dealer right now). I am very concerned that these problems will continue past warranty, i have little faith in this vehicles safety and performance -every day i cross my fingers that nothing else goes "brakes" while…
ODI 10146704
Steering
Intermediate shaft failures on 04-05 toyota highlander there is a technical service bulletin (st001-06) of shaft replacement on some models but never became a safety recall issue. On toyota prius nhw20 model vehicles produced in japan from july 2003 to nov 2005 are being recalled. Toyota says on some vehicle, under certain conditions, the steering intermediate shaft may become loose or develop a crack. What about…
ODI 10313920