Clicking in steering column light comes on dash for power steering then hard to make turn then well go back off then able to make turns with ease again
2011 Toyota Highlander steering problems
34 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000.
- owner complaints
- 34
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- 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
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Toyota Highlander steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
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 2011 Toyota Highlander owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
In the last 30 days, the steering has begun to feel "loose", as if I am driving on ice. At first it was barely perceptable. There has been more "play" in the steering. During the last 2 days, the car is now making a thud when I am steering right. I have an appointment for a mechanic to look at it. The car is a 2011 Highlander, AWD, with 89,000 miles on it. I feel the steering issue could be very dangerous at some point.
The power steering is clunky, locks in position when backing out of a parking spot, is clunky and unreliable at slow speeds. I can feel the steering column get far tighter feeling when turning at slow speed (3-10 mph)
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the intermediate steering shaft was making an abnormal knocking noise while turning to the left or the right. Additionally, the driver’s side window failed to roll up or down because it was off track. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
When you turn the steering wheel and then the turn is completed...the steering wheel does not go back into position. This occurs when you are in motion.
For several months, there's a thump when turning the steering wheel in either direction, no matter what road/street. We have less than 43,000 miles on it & do not drive on ruff terrain. We purchased the 2011 toyota highlander new, take it to the dealer every 6 mos for maint. & now told it needs a steering shaft replacement & 4 wheel alignment. ($657.33 total!) this is inconceivable to pass on to customers. And a road hazard to all on the roads.
Clunking and clicking when turning the wheel. Tsb from toyota calls for intermediate steering shaft replacement, but toyota will not warranty replacement of the faulty part. Hundreds of complaints online with this same issue.
While driving on the highway in cruise control and no check engine light vehicle lost power steering speedometer readings. Reported ABS brake malfunction, brake malfunction. Over the next 45 minutes while in route to a toyota dealer vehicle intermittently lost power steering and speedometer readings. All malfunctions happened with no warning.
Steering shaft u joint makes clunking noise. Dealer advised immediate replacement as this is a safety concern.
There is a problem with my power steering wheel, it's stiff and I unable to control it when on the road. When driving on the freeway with high speed, the steering wheel sway left or right and I unable to control it back to straight. Also, when making a turn the steering wheel not reflexes, fast enough for me to make a turn. For instance, whenever I make a right turn and then try to straighten the vehicle back to straight, the steering wheel does not reflex back enough that it leads me to hit the curb damaging front wheel rim. Since, the problem keeps on occurring, as I get worried I took it to the dealership repair shop twice within the period of 2 months. The first time, I took it in the mechanic states that probably has a problem with the alignment, so I paid the for the performance. And it didn't help at all. Then the second time, I took it back to the dealership repair shop again, I told them that the alignment didn't help at all and also I specify that the problem is the steering wheel then I left the vehicle the whole day for the repair shop to fix it. Later, when I went to pick it up, they stated that they corrected the cradle and do the alignment 4 times and I took the car out home. The vehicle still had the problem that I had when I took the car in to repair, then I drove back to the dealership and told the mechanic. Then the mechanic drove the car with me in the car, and he told me the problem is the electric steering wheel and there no way he could do anything about it. Then I asked him if I took it to any other shop will that help. He said no, there no shops that could fix it. He also said that I just have to put up with it. But, it is my life or ever my family members life on the road. So, I'm really worried and I don't have money to replace with a new car right now. The car has never been in an accident before, I bought it new from the dealership.
Questions about the 2011 Toyota Highlander steering
Does the 2011 Toyota Highlander have steering problems?
Owners have filed 34 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Toyota Highlander, 19% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota Highlander steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 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 2011 Toyota Highlander problems
Visibility 36Body 27Electrical 23Engine 21Brakes 17Transmission 16Acceleration 12Airbags 8Lights 5Seat belts 4Driver assistance 3Tires 3Fuel system 1Locks 1Wheels 1
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