Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
670–25K
3325–50K
3350–75K
1275–100K
11100–150K
3150K+
159 reports with mileage · 47 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
26 crash reports0 fire reports12 injury reports
What owners actually said
206 reports
60,188 miles · Jan 23, 2019
Unknown Or Other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS A CONSTANT DISTRACTION, WHICH MADE DRIVING DIFFICULT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PLANNED ON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO CONICELLI TOYOTA (550 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOCKEN, PA 19428, 877…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS A CONSTANT DISTRACTION, WHICH MADE DRIVING DIFFICULT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PLANNED ON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO CONICELLI TOYOTA (550 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOCKEN, PA 19428, 877-485-3193) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,188.
NHTSA ODI #11171684
64,000 miles · Jan 17, 2019
Steering
CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING WHEEL. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED POSSIBILITY OF STEERING WHEEL COMING OFF RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. THIS COULD BE A SEVERE PROBLEM AND NEEDS A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11170590
48,000 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Steering
MY 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2015 WITH ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. IN 2016 THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A "THUMPING" NOISE WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN OVER A BUMP BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OFTEN AND I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO MY GARAGE ENTRY OF A 1.5" BUMP IN THE PAVEMENT. MOST NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS BUT THAT MAY BE A RE…
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MY 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2015 WITH ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. IN 2016 THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A "THUMPING" NOISE WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN OVER A BUMP BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OFTEN AND I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO MY GARAGE ENTRY OF A 1.5" BUMP IN THE PAVEMENT. MOST NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS BUT THAT MAY BE A RESULT OF THE LOWER INTERIOR NOISE. THE CARE HAS HAD THESE NOISES BECOME MORE PREVALENT SINCE I FIRST NOTICED IT. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND IT IS GETTING MORE PRONOUNCED. IT OCCURS WHEN YOU HIT ANY TYPE OF BUMP AND MORE OFTEN WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS AND EXPECT TOYOTA TO OFFER THEIR OWNERS A REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF QUALITY I EXPECT FROM TOYOTA HAVING OWNED A CAMRY (1987), RAV-4 (2006) AND NOW MY SECOND HIGHLANDER (2002 & 2013).
NHTSA ODI #11163450
65,887 miles · Dec 10, 2018
Steering
VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE 3 DAYS AGO. BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WAS INFORMED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WOULD COST $507 IN REPAIRS. AFTER READING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE IT ACTUALLY IS MAKING ME A LITTLE CONCERNED.I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED TOYOTA'S AND NEVER HAVE HAD A…
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VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE 3 DAYS AGO. BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WAS INFORMED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WOULD COST $507 IN REPAIRS. AFTER READING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE IT ACTUALLY IS MAKING ME A LITTLE CONCERNED.I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED TOYOTA'S AND NEVER HAVE HAD ANY ISSUES. MY MILEAGE IS 65,887 I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. I NOTICED A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I MADE LEFT HAND TURNS OR IF THERE WAS A SPEED BUMP OR A DIP. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO DIDN'T FEEL THE SAME EITHER ALMOST LIKE IT'S LOOSE. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROX 1 YEAR OURCAHSED CERTIFIED PRE OWNED. THE DEALERSHIP REALLY FRUSTRATED ME TODAY AND NOW I QUESTION EVEN KEEPING THIS VEHICLE. IF THIS SHAFT PLANS ON GOING OUT EVERY 30-60K MILES ID RATHER DUMP IT AND GET A DIFFERENT VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11160525
58,000 miles · Dec 3, 2018
Steering
AROUND A YEAR AGO, AT APPROXIMATELY 58000 MILES, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A KNOCKING SOUND AND STEERING VIBRATION WHEN I TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION AT LOW SPEED IN CITY DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR EVALUATION AT RICE TOYOTA. THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT HEAR ANYTHING. I TOOK IT BACK AT 61,118 IN FEBRUARY 2018 AS THE STEERING HAD GOT…
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AROUND A YEAR AGO, AT APPROXIMATELY 58000 MILES, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A KNOCKING SOUND AND STEERING VIBRATION WHEN I TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION AT LOW SPEED IN CITY DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR EVALUATION AT RICE TOYOTA. THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT HEAR ANYTHING. I TOOK IT BACK AT 61,118 IN FEBRUARY 2018 AS THE STEERING HAD GOTTEN WORSE, NOW LOOSE AND SLOPPY FEELING AT ANY SPEED. THEY COULD HEAR/FEEL IT THIS TIME AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR AND TO JUST "TURN THE RADIO UP". I WAS READY TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN, AS I FELT UNSAFE DRIVING IT ANYMORE, BUT KNEW I COULDN'T IN IT'S CURRENT CONDITION.I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THERE WAS EVEN A TSB (BULLETIN T-SB-0034-13) ISSUED ON 4/26/17 REGARDING THE STEERING PINION SHAFT. AFTER I FELT THAT I COULDN'T DRIVE THIS CAR IT ANYMORE, I RETURNED TO RICE TOYOTA ONCE AGAIN ON 11/24/18 AT 67,770 MILES AND THE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. "IMMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED" FOR A TOTAL OF $588.23. THE VEHICLE NOW DRIVES BETTER, HOWEVER, I HAVE LOST FAITH IN IT , AS WELL AS TOYOTA. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO TO BE ADDRESSED FOR THE SAFETY OF ANYONE DRIVING A 2008-2013 HIGHLANDER.
NHTSA ODI #11155784
90,000 miles · Nov 29, 2018
Steering
MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT STEERING COLUMN NOISES, PLAY, LOOSENESS AND FEEDBACK THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS DESCRIBED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN: TSB-0034-13 I HAVE 97,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE PLAY IS BECOMING MORE NOTICEABLE AS MILEAGE INCREASES. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ISSUED THE…
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MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT STEERING COLUMN NOISES, PLAY, LOOSENESS AND FEEDBACK THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS DESCRIBED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN: TSB-0034-13 I HAVE 97,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE PLAY IS BECOMING MORE NOTICEABLE AS MILEAGE INCREASES. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ISSUED THE TSB BEFORE I PURCHASED IT NEW. HOW ARE OWNERS SUPPOSED TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE THINGS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY?
NHTSA ODI #11154842
72,000 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Steering
STEERING MAKES A POPPING/CLICKING SOUND WHEN MAKING TURNS. SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS IT STARTED WITH JUST TURNING LEFT AND NOW DOES IT RIGHT AS WELL
NHTSA ODI #11151817
48,000 miles · Nov 9, 2018
Steering
CLUNKING NOISE WITHIN THE STEERING WHEN I TURN, ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INDICATED IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. 48,000 MILES AT THE TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11150308
57,665 miles · Nov 8, 2018
Steering
I STARTED HEARING A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AS TIME WENT ON ESPECIALLY WHEN I MADE TURNS. ON 11/07/18 TOYOTA RECENTLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED AT THE DEALER FOR $584.92. THERE'S 57,665 MILES ON …
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I STARTED HEARING A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AS TIME WENT ON ESPECIALLY WHEN I MADE TURNS. ON 11/07/18 TOYOTA RECENTLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED AT THE DEALER FOR $584.92. THERE'S 57,665 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I CAN VISIBLY SEE THERE'S SLACK IN THE STEERING SHAFT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE RACK AND PINION. II AM A 65 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW AND DROVE IT VERY GENTLY. I UNDERSTAND THE NEW SHAFT MAY HAVE AN IMPROVED DESIGN I HOPE SO IT DOES NOT OCCUR AGAIN. IT'S VERY CONCERNING IF I LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GET'S HURT.
NHTSA ODI #11150062
45,000 miles · Nov 5, 2018
Steering
STARTED HEARING A LOUD POPPING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL OR PEDALS. NOISE BECAME LOUDER AS TIME WENT ON ESPECIALLY WHEN I MADE TURNS. TOYOTA RECENT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. WAS ORIGINALL TOLD IT MIGHT BE A RACK AND PINION PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY THAT THIS DOESN'T NOW TURN INTO SOMETHING E…
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STARTED HEARING A LOUD POPPING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL OR PEDALS. NOISE BECAME LOUDER AS TIME WENT ON ESPECIALLY WHEN I MADE TURNS. TOYOTA RECENT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. WAS ORIGINALL TOLD IT MIGHT BE A RACK AND PINION PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY THAT THIS DOESN'T NOW TURN INTO SOMETHING ELSE. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. VERY UPSET.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 Highlander vehicles manufactured March 13, 2013, through August 6, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the second row left hand seat may not lock in place when positioned in the forward front or second adjusting position. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the seat does not lock into the seat track, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second row left hand seat so that it will lock into the seat track, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
EA18006 · Steering Column Separation
Opened Nov 16, 2018 · Closed Apr 2, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column
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. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
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. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering
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. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
PE18005 · Upper Steering Column Separation
Opened May 4, 2018 · Closed Nov 20, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column
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. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
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. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
Steering
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. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
2013 Toyota Highlander Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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