2011 Toyota Highlander Steering Problems
- 26
- 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 · 15 records
- power steering · 7 records
- intermediate shaft · 6 records
- left right · 6 records
- turning left · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 10 |
| 100–150k mi | 6 |
| 1–30k mi | 4 |
| 30–60k mi | 4 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Clunking and clicking when turning the wheel. Tsb from toyota calls for intermediate steering shaft replacement, but toyota will not warranty replacement of the faulty part. Hundreds of complaints online with this same issue.
ODI 11308129
Steering
Steering shaft u joint makes clunking noise. Dealer advised immediate replacement as this is a safety concern.
ODI 11270223
Steering
I started experiencing a clunk in the steering wheel column when turning the wheel to the left for parking . It happened a couple of times so i took it to my regular toyota dealership for service. After test driving the car they told me it was the steering intermediate shaft that needed to be replaced. I felt i had no choice so had them do the work and it cost $782.30 for parts / labor plus $134.95 for alignment.…
ODI 11244037
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
There is a problem with my power steering wheel, it's stiff and i unable to control it when on the road. When driving on the freeway with high speed, the steering wheel sway left or right and i unable to control it back to straight. Also, when making a turn the steering wheel not reflexes, fast enough for me to make a turn. For instance, whenever i make a right turn and then try to straighten the vehicle back to…
ODI 11258713
Steering
Intermediate steering shafts clunk noise. Frequently while driving.
ODI 11172576
Steering
Lost power steering while driving at 40 mph on an access road entering the freeway and dash lights and radio cut in and out.
ODI 11171760
Steering
I came to a complete stop at a red light in my neighborhood, preparing to make a right turn. When i then began the right turn i lost power steering and could not straighten out the wheel, resulting in me running up onto the curb. I immediately let off of the gas pedal- luckily no one was behind me. I then gave the car gas again while turning the wheel back to the left, and suddenly the power steering was working…
ODI 11182042
Steering
At around 90,000 miles i noticed a distinct clunk in the steering as the wheel unwound from sharp turns at slow speed. The clunk also showed up while driving straight on rough roads and under firm braking. This is apparently a known issue https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/sb-10[redacted].pdf. I have had the part replaced with the updated version, and the steering is now good again, but i expected something like…
ODI 11182559
Steering
Popping noise in steering wheel when turning left or right at slow speeds.
ODI 11164887
Steering
Clunking or tapping noise when turning left or right that can be felt in the steering wheel. Diagnosed by toyota as "steering intermediate shaft binding." this is a known issue with the 2008-2013 highlander. Advised by toyota mechanic that it doesn't need to be fixed unless i prefer it not to knock or clunk when turning.
ODI 11155844
Steering
When turning or over bumps the steering column makes clunking noise. Has become louder with time
ODI 11190895
Steering
The steering in my highlander has started making a popping and knocking sound when turning the vechicle. This seems to be a known design defect with this vechicle by toyota and they should issue a safety recall. The noise is mostly noticeable at lower speeds when parking but it also occurs when the vehicle is in motion.
ODI 11165309
Electrical System · Steering
Driving on a highway with gentle turns at 35mph, power steering failed. I was able to drive straight until there were no cars directly behind me and i could brake to a safe speed to attempt turning. I was eventually able to manually steer the car to turn into a driveway using a three point turn.
ODI 11129485
Steering
Intermediate shaft issues. Had one intermediate shaft replaced under warranty a year or two after purchase. Intermediate shaft issues returned in the last year. Toyota dealership wants $500 to replace a shaft they know has been defective for years leading up to this model. This is the primary vehicle for my wife and children. I am concerned about there safety with this matter. This issue should have been recalled…
ODI 11163579
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota highlander. While driving unknown speeds, there was an abnormal knocking and popping noise when turning the steering wheel left and right. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called the local dealer (five star toyota of milledgeville, 2816 n columbia st, milledgeville, ga 31061, [redacted]) and was informed to schedule a service appointment. The contact stated…
ODI 11129875
Steering
I had a clunking noise whenever i turned the steering wheel left or right at slow speeds. I checked on line and found this site which noted fault to be the intermediate steering shaft, as the issue. I took my vehicle into a toyota dealership for repair. They confirmed that this was the issue and because it is not considered a safety issue, no recall has been issued. Toyota would not cover any of the cost which was…
ODI 11064570
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota highlander. While driving at low speeds or going over a bump in the road, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to steve landers toyota ([redacted], little rock, ar 72204, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the intermediate shaft in the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made…
ODI 11155678
Steering
Every time i turn my wheel i have a thumping sound (worse when i am turning right)
ODI 11064888
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota highlander. When the contact moved the steering wheel, it made a loud abnormal popping noise. The noise grew louder when the vehicle was being driven at different speeds. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
ODI 11162220
Steering
Ruidos o golpes en la caa del guia de direccion cuando giro a la izquierda o derecha. Mi vehiculo comenzo con estos ruidos a un poco mas de las 3600 millas de garantia y toyota no tomo ninguna accion. Vivo en puerto rico y mi direccion es p. O. Box 1909, barceloneta puerto rico 00617, muchas gracias...
ODI 11150928
Steering
At a stop or at low speed starts, turning the steering wheel results in a clunking or creaking noise. This does not happen at higher speeds. The noise happens whether turning it left or right. Usually hear it coming out of a parking spot or moving from a stop. It has been doing this for a few years.
ODI 11234682
Steering
Started the car. Power steering was gone!! It had just gone out!!! Thank god i was in town. I had just gone over mountain road where i could have gone over a cliff and been killed. I was able to take the car with horrible difficulty to a mechanic across the street and they called the toyota dealer and they told them to disconnect the battery. That didn't work. I had the car towed to the toyota dealer when they took…
ODI 10627741
Steering
When making a right hand turn the steering system has a significant "bump" of "thump". This appears to be a problem with a part of the steering sector shaft that toyota is well aware of but will not acknowledge there is a problem with design. Toyota will only correct problem if customer is willing to pay cost of approximately $1200. Not sure what will happen if correction is not made, but i believe it could lead to…
ODI 10721723
Power Train · Steering · Wheels
I only have 7k miles in my car i own the car for only 1 year. I notice that the steering wheel is not balance at all. At least 5-10 degree to the right. I have my car service every 6 months with toyota it should be balanced and done the tire rotation??? Also the transmission occasionally stall about 1-2 second when i accelerate to 30-40 mph. I am afraid that the transmission will have problem within this 2-3 years.…
ODI 10460640
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering
Purchased my 2011 highlander in march, & it had 7000 miles on it at the time of the incident. I started the vehicle in my driveway, put it in drive, and started down my driveway. Pressed the brake pedal, and there were no brakes and seemed not to have power steering. The lights in the dash came on, and the screen said brake malfunction contact dealer immediately. There were no brakes, i finally came to a stop at the…
ODI 10435145