2012 Toyota Highlander: harsh or hard shifting

13 of the 182 complaints about the 2012 Toyota Highlander describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 13
of this car's complaints: 7%
typical mileage: 55,760
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 12 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2022
4
2021
7
2020
7
2019
12
2018
6
2017
16
2015
2
2014
1
2013
18
2012
13
2011
10
2010
10
2009
7
2008
10
2007
2
2006
1
2005
3
2004
10
2003
1
2002
3

What owners say

Filed Jun 9, 2021 · Steering · FL

Popping and clunking sound in steering or suspension. Can be produced at speeds and at stand still. Could it be this? https://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Highlander/2013/steering/steering.shtml the federal safety agency Action Number: EA18006 https://www.consumerclasslawyersblog.com/snap-crackle-pop-intermediate-shaft-noise-coming-from-toyota-highlanders/

Filed Mar 1, 2021 · Steering · 90,000 miles · NY

When I drive the vehicle you can hear a clunking sound in the steering column. It happens at low and high speeds. When make a turn right, or left you hear clunking is the steering column. It feels like the steering wants to come off, took it to the dealer and they state to fix it will cost over 1000$. I head there was a defect in the steering column which toyota knows about, but has not done anything to recall and fix the problem.

Filed Aug 4, 2020 · Steering · MA

Steering shaft clunking noise when turn left or right at low speed. Confirmed steering intermediate shaft failure by ira toyota technician on 7/31/2020 . This is 3rd times failure. 1st failure was jan/2012 and 2nd time failure was 11/2013.

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Steering · NC

Steering wheel is clunking when turning left or right. See a lot of problems with this on the internet. Noise definitely coming from the steering wheel assembly.

Filed Apr 30, 2019 · Steering · 62,000 miles · GA

Upon turning steering wheel, even slightly, an obvious "clunking" noise is heard and felt through the steering column. The mileage on the car was approximately 62k. At 70k I am having it repaired although I was told there wasn't a safety issue. The sound seems to have increased in the last 8k miles.

Filed Mar 12, 2019 · Steering · 103,000 miles · MN

Steering shaft- after experiencing clunking and popping when turning the wheel at low speeds the vehicle was inspected and found that this is a known issue with the steering shaft assembly. This will cost approximately 1000 dollars to fix. This can cause major safety issues if not fixed!

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Steering · 55,000 miles · NY

When turning steering wheel left or right, clunking and popping noises are heard. Vibration and pulsing felt through steering wheel while turning. Informed dealer. They checked it and said it was the intermediate steering shaft. This happens while the vehicle is moving at any speed.

Filed Oct 3, 2018 · Steering · 46,500 miles · NC

When vehicle is being turned, specifically to the right, there is a popping and clunking noise coming from the steering column. When turning the vehicle, the steering wheel began to allow extra travel play which almost caused a crash. There is an existing technical service bulletin t-sb-0034-13 which outlines a replacement steering intermediate shaft.

Filed May 12, 2018 · Steering · 70,000 miles · OH

Clunking when turning the wheel

Filed Apr 12, 2017 · Steering · 28,000 miles · NY

Very shortly after purchase it was immediately noticed that there was difficultly controlling the direction of the vehicle on acceleration. Later it appeared as if there was a high point in the steering. All four tires were changed at 32k miles and now there is a distinct clunk in the steering when turning or accelerating. The car was checked for alignment when the tires were changed. I received no report of suspension or tie rod problems. Clunk became more audible. My research indicates that this is a problem with the intermediate steering shaft. Toyota should recall and fix the problem. This car was bought new and a problem was evident very early. Current mileage less than 33k.

Filed May 5, 2016 · Steering · 38,000 miles · FL

Clunking in steering at slow speed when making sharp left or right turns. Diagnosed as intermediate steering shaft needing replacement. Repaired at toyota dealership.

Filed Feb 11, 2016 · Steering · 40,000 miles · OR

At 40,000 miles I noticed for the first time a clunking noise in the steering column when I turned the steering wheel right or left while at a slow speed. Over the next few weeks it worsened. I looked up the issue on the internet and found dozen of similar occurrences in this same model with vehicle owners reporting having to replace the steering shaft. Sometimes if left long enough, I read that this has lead to steering failure. I took the highlander to my dealer today who determined the steering shaft required replacement which will cost around $600. This to me is a safety issue because who knows what would have happened if I had let this go. I have maintained this car exactly as recommended in the owners manual. This does not seem like this is normal wear and tear. I have owned over a dozen vehicles in the last 40 years and have never experienced a problem with the steering shaft. I am curious with so many other occurrences of this safety issue by other vehicle owners why this hasn't resulted in a recall to repair all highlanders of this vintage with this steering shaft.