Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the steering ceased. The contact stated that added effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that there was no evidence of a power steering fluid leak. Toyota of ashland (3503 winchester ave, ashland, ky 41101 606‑744‑2727) was contacted and the contact was informed that the vehicle was equipped with an electronic power steering. The contact was informed that the wiring harness and steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000. *bf
2009 Toyota Highlander steering problems
11 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 88,644.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 88,644
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Electric power assist system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Toyota Highlander steering problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Steering Column Separation
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 the federal safety agency 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
EA18006
Upper Steering Column Separation
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 under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
PE18005
What 2009 Toyota Highlander owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I keep my car very good in my life . Recently my limited highlander 09 with 42.000 miles start clunking noise when I make a slow turning right , left to parking lot and every where when I make a turn slowly it have a clunking sound. I think that I can pay the part and toyota have to have recall and help me to fix it . It is defect from toyota.
A clunking or thumping noise comes from the lower steering column as you make a left or right hand turn. The thumping noise has been steadily increasing over the past weeks.
Steering wheel is clicking very bad when making turns. Car shop checked everything out and decided it was coming from the steering column. Car was in a prior car accident in 2012 with no reported frame damage. Taking car to local toyota dealership, as recommended from regular car shop.
While driving, the battery light on the dash illuminated, while the power assist steering no longer worked. The car could still drive and steer, but it was very difficult to turn. The power steering assist would intermittently come back on, and then go off again, making it extremely difficult to operate the car safely. In this condition, if there were a need to tuner the car suddenly, it would not be possible.
August 4,2018 backing on of garage and power steering complexly quit working. You can still steer but with great effort , mileage 134,521. In march 1, 2015 power steering quit working while driving on a city street at about 25mph making it very difficult to turn .it had 88644 miles. The toyota dealer replaced the steering column part # 45250-48181 & computer part # 89650-48060. Two steering failures in 134,000 seems rather high in a system that important.. There was no prior warning and had they occurred at highway speeds on a winding rroad one could have lost control on the vehicle.08
The steering wheel came loose while driving on a 4 lane city street at approximately 30 MPH. I was adjusting the telescoping steering wheel when the steering wheel came loose from the car and a loud rapid beeping noise was emitted from the vehicle. I crossed into the oncoming lane before I was able to get the steering wheel back onto the car enough to steer back into my lane. I drove the car 6 blocks home and it has not been started or driven since.
When you drive back and turn, the tires make a strange movement, it seems like it will be detached from the axle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 toyota highlander. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v168000 (steering) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure. The VIN was not available.
About eighty miles/two days prior to the failure, an intermittent whine/humming noise was heard in the vicinity of the driver side dash area while turning at slow speeds. I was told this was not unusual as the power steering is electrically assisted and the electric motor was likely making the noise. Two days after the first sounds, the power steering failed upon engine start. The steering wheel is nearly impossible to turn now.
Questions about the 2009 Toyota Highlander steering
Does the 2009 Toyota Highlander have steering problems?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Toyota Highlander, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Highlander steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 88,644 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Toyota Highlander steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Toyota Highlander have bad steering?
The Toyota Highlander model years with the most steering complaints are 2012 (46 complaints), 2013 (46 complaints) and 2008 (40 complaints).
Other 2009 Toyota Highlander problems
Engine 28Brakes 26Electrical 20Body 15Acceleration 14Airbags 8Transmission 7Visibility 7Tires 6Suspension 5Driver assistance 4Seats 3Wheels 3Fuel system 2Lights 2Locks 2Seat belts 2
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