2012 Toyota Highlander Steering Problems
- 36
- 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 36 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering shaft · 17 records
- steering wheel · 17 records
- steering column · 9 records
- intermediate steering · 9 records
- turning steering · 8 records
- popping noise · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 12 |
| 60–100k mi | 12 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
| 100–150k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Intermediate steering shaft 45220-48171 had to be replaced. At high rate of speed i had to brake hard, then the abs intermittently pushed the pads against the discs creating vibration that was felt at the steering wheel very noisy and shake like looked like my highlander front wheels came apart .then i knew the vehicle must be repaired immediately due safety problem.
ODI 10884181
Steering
Clunking in steering at slow speed when making sharp left or right turns. Diagnosed as intermediate steering shaft needing replacement. Repaired at toyota dealership.
ODI 10863454
Steering
At 40,000 miles i noticed for the first time a clunking noise in the steering column when i turned the steering wheel right or left while at a slow speed. Over the next few weeks it worsened. I looked up the issue on the internet and found dozen of similar occurrences in this same model with vehicle owners reporting having to replace the steering shaft. Sometimes if left long enough, i read that this has lead to…
ODI 10825630
Steering
Klunk sound and feeling in steering wheel started around 48000 mile at 51000 told by dealer the intermediate steering shaft needed replacing. This seems to be and on going problem with toyota cars
ODI 10788977
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota highlander. While driving at 10 mph, an abnormal noise emitted from the front driver side tire. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
ODI 10681570
Steering
Our car makes a clicking noise in the steering column when u turn to the right . It is very noticeable and loud. This concerns me as the safety of my family is very important. *tr
ODI 10627694
Steering
The vehicle developed a clicking feel in the steering system about a year and 9 months from manufacture date. Toyota dealership diagnosed problem as a failed intermediate steering shaft and recommend indicate replacement . I contacted toyota as i feel repair should be covered by company due to nature of failure and age of vehicle. They have not offered anything in way if assistance and have no recall pending even…
ODI 10593980
Steering
I purchased this car brand new, i've been the only owner/driver. With in the 3rd year of having this car, i start to hear a ( clanking) noise. The first thing that i thought was , that it was the cv joints. I realize that i was close to the 36,000 miles. I took it to the dealer, they checked it and they said they couldn't find anything, but that they would change the cv joints since it was still under warranty.…
ODI 11193478
Steering
Repeated popping noise from intermedia shaft. Star toyota service replaced the intermedia shaft under the warranty with old design part#45220-48170 back in oct. 2013. The problem resurfaced after 3 year, oct. 2016. There was a new design from toyota, part#45220-48171 in 2013. Toyota refused to repair this with warranty. Toyota issued t-sb-0034-13. This issue should be a recall as the intermedia shaft could cause the…
ODI 10925504
Steering
POPPING NOISE FROM THE INTERMEDIA SHAFT.
ODI 10925502
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the rear of the vehicle began swaying. The contact was unable to control the steering wheel and crashed into a billboard. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage…
Crash reported
ODI 10519433