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 progressed to return it for repair. The failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 4/22/10 *cn updated 06/01/10
2004 Toyota Highlander steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 35 of 35, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Steering wheel make a noise like a bolt is missing.
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 did cover the cost of the wheel bearing replacement, it did not cover the cost of having to replace the tires damaged by the bad bearing - and toyota does not care. In their race to become the number one car maker, they have given up on being the safest, most reliable car maker - and they have certainly given up on being customer friendly. According to several toyota dealers, they don't have to, since they continue to be popular selling vehicles. I am getting nervous as the time for my warranty comes due to expire - and for the first time am seriously considering trading it in before that happens. That was not the intent when I bought the vehicle, but after reading all the people having all the same problems, I am very concerned.
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 not toyota b required 2 cover this type of repair ? Like we're talking steering here. Is it going to take someone who just let's the problem go to the point where he/she looses control of the vehicle & there is physical injury or death? I was hesitant to write this up because I don't see where n investigation has been conducted (did I just miss it?). My vehicle has just under 55k miles on it (all of them onroad) &s been maintained by the dealer. To me it looks like a $$$ maker 4 the dealer & a calculated decision by toyota that enough of those requiring the repair wouldn't complain; looks like toyota wins.
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 dangerous, as the behavior of the car, not controlled by my wife, the driver, could have easily caused an accident. Turns out, the dealership stated the steering angle sensor went on the car. First...the car only has 53k miles on it. This is not a 'wear and tear' part. This part should never go with only this many miles on it. Garbage. Second, the failure of this part causes a very dangerous situation on the road, as once it goes, the driver basically has no control over the car until it slows down to under 10 miles an hour. Toyota needs to stand behind their product, focus on the safety of the public, and issue a recall for this problem. I've researched this on the internet and there are many, many complaints and documented cases of this same problem happening on toyota vehicles. The dealership fixed the part for $700. Rip off.
Heard a clicking sound when turning the steering wheel left or right.
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 some responsibility for this dangerous default.
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 it could have potentially resulted in a car accident.
2004 toyota highlander limited steering system looseness, clunking. The steering system exhibits excessive freeplay and clunking. A defective part was replaced under warranty but needs to be replaced again. The vehicle has less than 30,000 miles on it.
Highlander recently received 30k service at toyota dealer. Car mileage was approximately 29k. The service advisor reported that the intermediate shaft in the steering column was making a clunk type sound and should be replaced. He believed highlanders and tacoma's had been having a problem. He did not think the part would break but that the part had been redesigned and will need to be replaced.
I noticed a clunking noise and "sensation" in the steering wheel when traveling at a slow speed especially when turning corners or on a bumpy road. In december, 2007 I took the highlander to the dealer and was first told that it was not a problem and just needed some lubrication. When I questioned the service manager further about the possibility of it being dangerous, I was told that it "could be a problem and that the steering shaft should be changed". I was told that the column could "lock up", causing loss of steering. After further questioning, the dealership gave me a copy of the toyota technical service bulletin dated february 2006, obviously toyota was well aware of the possible danger, I was also told that it was not an unusual problem. They would fix the problem at a cost of $450 to me since the car was no longer under warranty. My warranty expired in may of 2007, almost a year after the technical service bulletin was issued. It appears that toyota purposely has not issued a recall in order to save money. Those of us who own a 2004 highlander are now out of warranty and out of luck. Since this is a potential danger and toyota was aware of the problem for well over a year, I believe that toyota should be responsible for all needed repairs and a recall issued.
Bout my 2004 highlander 3 months ago, used, with 46k miles on it. I took it to my mechanic last week to get the oil changed and tires rotated. He took it for a drive and said that it won't pass inspection in 3 months because of the steering. There is a clunk in the steering, which I never thought was abnormal but he said it is. He also said there is a service bulletin out on it. I called the dealer and made an appointment for next week. I seriously had better not have to pay for this.
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.
I bought used 2004 toyota highlander and noticed a heard a thumping sound that could also be felt in the steering when turning the steering wheel at slow speeds. Had an accident a few months later, where another vehicle hit my front left wheel. The thumping got worse so I mentioned it to the body repair shop. They had it towed to a toyota dealer even though I had driven it for 6 weeks after the accident, where they were told that it was normal wear , 85,000 mile,) on the intermediate steering shaft, and it needed to be replaced at a cost of $380 +. The dealer service department said it was not accident related. I still have not had it repaired.
Steering shaft on the 2004 toyota highlander did not feel safe, felt loose and noisy when turning. Toyota refusesd to fix the problem under warranty, a tsb was issued in january 2006, which indicated toyota's awareness of the problem, but did not want to publicly admit it. While driving it felt like the steering column coud break off, and if that happened, it could have caused many deaths.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. When making a left turn the contact heard a clicking noise near the steering column. The contact stated that under normal driving conditions the vehicle swerved while driving forward. The dealer replaced the steering shaft and the clicking stopped, however, the swerving continued. The dealer stated that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The current mileage is 46,000 , and failure mileage was 41,000.
Noisy steering shaft caused me to take car to dealership, where I was told the shaft was 'worn' (tiny bearings within the shaft were worn) and the shaft was replaced. Dealer informed me they'd seen this problem on other toyota highlanders, and on their economy toyota prisms as well, but manufacturer had not issued any recalls. I paid the bill using my extended warranty.
Loose and noisy steering shaft, does not feel safe to drive.
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 issue, but won't put it in writing. When the problem was finally repaired by replacement of the steering shaft, I became aware that prior to the repairs the car was pulling to the left and the steering wheel was hard to turn as the vehicle now track straight and the wheel easy to turn. With such symptoms I feel very strongly that toyota should be compelled to notify vehicle owners.
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.
I own a 2004 toyota highlander v6. At 45,000 miles, I noticed a clunking sensation in my steering wheel. Long story short, toyota said it was a failed u-joint and had to replace my steering column assembly (part # 45220-48150) at a cost of $490 to me. Not covered by 5 yr/ 60000 mi drive train warranty or 3 yr/36000 mi either. I learned in an edmunds.com highlander owners' chat room that I am not alone. Several people commented they have the same issue. The problem also occurs with camrys (which has the same chassis). The other owners complain of a long part backorder which sounds like this may be a widespread problem. Does this qualify for a recall and could I get my $490 refunded if so? Thank you.
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 driving with my 2 small children. This needs to be investigated.
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 sensor actuator. Of course, the car is no longer under warranty. I raised cane because two major things have caused me to be towed to the dealership with barely 50000 miles on the car. They are paying for the cost of the parts but that's it. I truly believe toyota should have paid for the entire ordeal, including towing, labor and rental car because of my inconvenience and obvious defect in the car. Toyota is one of the highest quality brand names of cars and you don't expect to deal with these types of issues when buying one. I feel that they realize I have a defective car and have decided not to care. Now I don't trust the vehicle and want to trade it in for a non toyota car. Thanks for your time and consideration.
While driving 3 MPH driver noticed that the slip light indicator appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Suddenly, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the steering wheel locked. Driver pulled over, and vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic informed the driver that steering needed to be aligned, and aligned it. However, the problem recurred, and mechanic determined that the steering sensor needed to be replaced. *ak......steering sensor is on back order for 1 month. This sensor is on both the toyota highlander and sienna.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2004 Toyota Highlander?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history