There is a distinct cluck from the steering column at slow speeds and while turning (indicating something is loose or not tight), I have read there is a technical service bulletin from toyota for this issue but I believe this could be a safety issue as it requires the replacement of the intermediate shaft on the steering column. Tsb # st001-06 for highlander and camry.
2005 Toyota Highlander steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 26 of 26, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I noticed a clunking noise and odd vibration in the steering wheel when traveling at a slow speed especially when turning corners or on a bumpy road. I do believe that if the steering intermediate shaft is not replaced, it could easily cause unnecessary accidents due to loss of steering. Toyota has issued 2 tsb concerning this problem, however they should be forced to have this part replaced. I was able to have mine replaced under warranty, but I'm really writing for all of those owners who might be driving with this problem, because they don't have the money to have it replaced.
Vehicle: 2005 toyota highlander. Defect: the turn signal switch (the device that turns off the signal after a turn is completed) has failed in our vehicle. We are told by a local dealer that toyota's turn signal switches fail at a very high rate. This component should never fail over the life of the vehicle. Given the high incidence of failures, toyota's design is clearly defective. Hazard: if the driver forgets to manually turn the signal off, other drivers are given a false signal and likely to misinterpret the driver's intent. This could lead to a serious accident. Repair: toyota's charge for repairing the defective turn signal switch is excessively high -- approximately $450. Consequently, many drivers are forced to accept and live with the problem, resulting in an unsafe condition. Remedy: toyota should be required to either recall and replace the defective turn signal switches or repair them at no cost to the customer.
Toyota highlander 2005 - 4 cyl driving in the rain, over puddles of water that create a splash up to about 3/4 the height of the tire (passenger side), will cause the discharge warning light to come on and cause loss of power steering (hard to turn). Suddenly, the warning light will go off and power steering will return. This is my wife's vehicle and I just noticed this issue recently while driving in heavy rain. The fault is repeatable as I noticed it for a second time today, and I managed to have it repeat the failure every time. This failure can cause a serious accident. In a rainstorm it will be typical to create a splash when turning into another street, as it is common for water to pond at the turn. Loss of power steering will cause the driver to turn the wheel harder, and when the power steering returns, then the vehicle will likely oversteer and spin out or hit anything on the direction that it is oversteered into. This incident actually occurred in two separate occasions when I was turning in the rain. The first was inadvertent and at a higher speed since it was the first time that happened when I was driving (a few weeks ago). The second time occurred today. After the incident I tried to recreate the failure, this time since I was expecting it, I did so more slowly but with the same result that will likely cause an accident. I have not taken the vehicle to the vehicle yet since I have just noticed the problem. However, we have and have had a significant amount of vehicles of different makes, and none have had this problem with splashing water causing what is probably a short and loss of power steering. After driving into the garage, I open the hood and look from the top, from the top everything seems to be dry. The other vehicles have been driven through larger splashes, without this problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota highlander. While driving 25 MPH and making a turn, the contact heard a clicking sound coming from the steering column including the sound of metal rubbing together. The contact said that there was a flaw in the manufacturers design. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was advised that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was also advised to file a complaint. The failure mileage were 59,000. The VIN was not available. The current mileage was not available.
Tie rods separated while driving, causing total loss of control of vehicle. Wheels turned sideways. Going 30 miles per hour, was able to bring vehicle to a stop. Vehicle was towed to dealership. They claimed rust, but we received verbal affirmation that no rust was found.
2005 year model toyota highlander. There had been a steering wheel "knocking" since about 5000 mi. It could only be detected when gently turning (wiggling) the steering wheel. I took is to toyota dealer shortly before the three year factory warranty expired. The whole steering column assembly was replaced. I was not told what the problem was but it could be a serious safety hazard if the cv joint is defective.
2005 toyota highlander 4x4 v6. The steering became jerky when turning and especially when going over bumps. The intermediate shaft assembly had to be replaced to fix the issue. The technician researched it and there have been two technical bulletins put out by toyota and they have redesigned the original part so that it is no longer available and has a new part number. The toyota dealership also stated that just lubricating the assembly does not work. My mechanic stated that he has fixed a number of these on highlanders, rav4s, and avalons. In my opinion the old part adversely affects the steering and safe handling of the vehicle and should have been recalled by toyota when the part was redesigned.
There has been a noticeable increase in steering wheel noise and play in my 2005 toyota highlander. The issue was noticed around 40,000 miles becoming increasingly worse in a only a few months. Mileage now is 46,000. Took vehicle to dealership and was told the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. After researching this issue it appear there is a defect in this part or design posing a serious safety risk.
I have a 2005 highlander and it has 45k on it. I have just recently noticed this clunk/knock noise every time I turn the steering wheel left or right 5 degrees off center. The toyota dealerships service department advised spending $140 on greasing the intermediate steering shaft and the problem should go away, but the more I read up on this particular issue, the more I'm realizing that this is a design flaw and that if I bandage the problem now, it'll only come up again in future mileage. This should totally be a toyota recall because it directly affect safe driving. I'm just wondering how I can escalate this complaint to the top?
I noticed a looseness & clicking noise in my steering while either parked or moving very slowly. A local mechanic I use diagnosed it as a worn rack & pinion (r&p) gear where it meets the steering column. I have an extended warranty on my '05 toyota highlander v6 with 60k miles. I brought car to king toyota in deerfield beach, fl and they said there is a toyota service bulletin on this problem which disassembles & lubricates the steering column. They said if that doesn't fix problem then they would change the r & p assembly. As a former airline maintenance planner I don't know how a lube would fix noise & looseness in a steering assembly...it felt like a worn part. If true, why did the steering column lose its lube after only 60k miles.. Was the lube missing from new & that's what caused the wear...if it was lubed was it a defective seal. Is the lube a stop gap way to delay a recall? My mechanic said & my own experience tells me something isn't right...this is a steering & possible vehicle control issue. Most of my driving is highway above 40-70mph, so I was concerned because my family & my life are at stake.
Around the middle of march 2008, my 2005 toyota highlander has knocking sounds on the steering wheel when I make turns. I sought the advise of a mechanic friend who has worked with lexus in the past. He conducted a test drive and ocular inspection and advised me to bring the vehicle to the dealer for he suspects a problem with the steering shaft assembly. On march 24, 2008, I brought the vehicle to a toyota dealer and was advised to replace intermediate steering shaft assembly. I paid a total of $469.29 for the service by toyota city, mamaroneck, ny 10543 inv. [xxx] . The car has 14,549 miles during the date of service. I wrote toyota USA for a refund of the amount I spent and got an assurance that they will look into it. Family members use the car in the usual course of grocery, school and related travel activities and has not abused it. For your information, this is also well maintained as we follow the suggestions/advise of the owner's manual for maintenance scheduled checks. My VIN [xxx] . The letter of assurance from toyota sales USA was received several months ago and request for refund has not been acted upon. Thank you very much. Have a great day! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota highlander. While driving various speeds or stationary, the steering wheel would make a knocking vibration when it was turned. The failure progressively worsened. The dealer stated that the entire steering wheel shaft/column assembly needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $550. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 67,000.
I can't believe there hasn't been a recall on 2005 toyota highlander intermediate steering shaft problem. I notice it has a the federal safety agency item number 10019873. When my car was getting a state inspection, the inspector noticed the slight noise when the wheel was turned. I find out later at the toyota dealer that the shaft was "binding" and continued driving could cause steering failure. If the gas station hadn't noticed the subtle noise, we would have continued driving it until the steering failed. I would call that a safety issue warranting a recall.
This is not a complaint or accident report but a report of facts that may benefit others. 2005 model toyota highlander, steering knocking/clunking. It can be detected by wiggling the steering wheel within 5 degrees. It is worse when the steering is loaded, e.g. When negotiating bends and minor curves. Taken to a toyota dealer and they decided that whole steering wheel shaft assembly needs to be replaced. I am waiting for the parts to come in. I am reporting because this may not be an isolate case. The problem is not easily detectable by unsuspected drivers. Yet it's a serious safety problem.
2005 highlander steering column shaft was bent, this caused vehicle to make a rattling noise. *ts the rattling occurred when going over road expansion gaps and minor bumps. ***nar***
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