2008 Toyota Highlander Steering Problems
- 35
- 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.
Among these 35 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 20 records
- steering shaft · 9 records
- left right · 9 records
- steering column · 8 records
- power steering · 8 records
- failure mileage · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 11 |
| 100–150k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 6 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes · Steering
Brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump assembly (problem known to toyota for this and other models,) failed, leading to dash messages: master warning, abs warning, brake system warning (brake malfunction: stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact a dealer), slip indicator. Brake pedal function seems limited, and dangerous. All warnings come back upon shutting off and restarting vehicle.
ODI 11291811
Steering
The steering shaft makes a clunking noise during low speed turns. There have been a number of complaints about this over the years, but no recall. Meanwhile, toyota is charging around $800 to make the repair.
ODI 11266832
Steering
FOUND STEERING SHAFT NOISY/ WORN/LOOSE
ODI 11243002
Steering
The steering makes a loud knock when turned to left or right.
ODI 11190625
Steering
Every time you turn the steering wheel either left or right but it gets worst in the right it will make a thud sound and you can feel it in the steering wheel , i noticed that 4 years ago and it's goes noticed on and off but nowadays it is more frequent and a friend of mine had similar complaint coz we had both the same car car but mine is 2 years older and assembled in japan ... Probably the steering column that…
ODI 11166551
Steering
Toyota highlander sport awd 2008 makes clunking noise when turning. Researched issue online after taking to multiple shops thinking it was transmission issues and learned about faulty intermediate steering shaft. I have to pay $536 through local mechanic for fix because toyota wont issue recall of know defective part design.
ODI 11163196
Steering
This vehicle has a knocking/clunking/clanking/thumping sound when turning the steering wheel. It sounds dangerous and i wonder if the steering column will break apart while driving. This has been happening for a while, but the dealers are always unable to replicate it, some say that it is a common problem. It has become worse recently.
ODI 11156953
Steering
Drove to store, when vehicle in park, went to drive home. When i went to adjust telescoping steering wheel via little lever, the whole steering wheel came off the column into my hands, tried putting it back in place, got it on column, the anti skid light light came on while driving initiating the braking system,anti-skid, cannot drive above 5 mph because it activates anti skid, makes a lot of noise, slows the…
ODI 11141761
Steering
Steering wheel is making clunky noises when turning the wheel right or left
ODI 11131103
Air Bags · Steering
I have a 2008 toyota highlander. While driving a side city street, on a slight curve, the steering wheel locked and could not be turned. As a result, my daughter hit a tree. My daughter was going approximately 25mph and the impact was in the center of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy.
Crash reported
ODI 11097552
Steering
Turning my car right or left there is a clicking noise and i can't get a good turn. It seems there is an issue with the electrical powering steering. I have researched to find out if there is a recall on this and the only thing i have found is other complaining about the same thing. I bought my car based on research and the durability of toyota, also i have taken very good care of the car. I have gone in for all the…
ODI 10995722
Steering
The steer wheel makes a klunk noise when turning in either directions at low speed. This problem developed at about 90,000 miles and the noise has progressively gotten more frequent and louder. My car has about 110,000 miles now.
ODI 11189911
Steering
As i was making a slow right turn onto a side street, the steering wheel gave out and i hit a parked car. Then my dashboard light indicator for the steering wheel lit up.
Crash reported
ODI 10937248
Steering
Driving at a slower speed and during a turn - my power steering shut off- the power steering indicator appeared on my dash but then disappeared. As a result i lost access to power steering. This happened several times and has happened at approximately 20 mph. I checked the recall notifications and identified i had 3 separate recalls related to this vehicle how the power steering concern was not one of them. I soon…
ODI 10910924
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. Every time a turn was made, the steering shaft made a noise. The failure has occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased in july of 2016. The dealer diagnosed that the shaft assembly failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle exceeded the mileage to be repaired under technical service…
ODI 10981734
Service Brakes · Steering
The steering wheel had been adjusted to a setting for a shorter driver, and while in the process of re-setting it for a taller driver, the steering wheel and its housing came completely off of the shaft that reaches into the engine. To safely get off the road, an attempt was made to stick it back on, and it was unable to stay in the correct position. Once the vehicle was pulled over, to try to reattach it, the…
ODI 10888043
Steering
Noise occurs while turning in the steering column. The "clunking" and vibrations are felt within the steering wheel. The part from toyota was remanufactured in 2011 to replace the current part given it was a default part not lasting long. It is a safety issue given it is the mechanism that connects the steering wheel to the front shaft assembly. Should that have issue, break etc. While driving or turning it can be…
ODI 10683139
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the intermediate driveshaft detached from the mount due to a failed spiral cable assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
ODI 10668821
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph and making a left turn, a loud noise emitted from the steering wheel. The failure recurred each time the contact turned left or right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate…
ODI 10693222
Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
VIBRATION
ODI 10784946
Steering
Turning left or right there is a clicking noise and a click in the steering wheel mainly at slow speed & if just bearing moving - very low speed. Numerous reports have been turned into toyota - yet they will not do a recall - appears that the steering shaft is the problem. Have been told hundreds have had to be replaced in phoenix alone. Can you request from toyota how many of these shafts the dealers have…
ODI 10680705
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. While turning the steering wheel in either direction, a popping noise emitted from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the intermediate steering shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
ODI 10683885
Steering
In motion on city streets steering column makes clunk noise when turning left or right, also on highway steering column rattles. It started 6-15-2014 until present day 12-28-2015.
ODI 10816445
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
We were starting off to go on vacation when warning lights came on the dashboard and information panel with hybrid system warnings and brake warnings then the car completely stopped in the middle of the road and steering was lost. We were able to get off to the side enough to prevent causing an accident however we were on a busy street. Had it towed to the local toyota dealer and the diagnosis was a failed coil.…
ODI 10598817
Air Bags · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Eng lights and service lights stays on even after service hard to start battery always down dealership could't fix problem!!
ODI 11006121