Steering column cracks, no help from Dealer. Many complaints on internet. Remedy requires expensive new steering column. Defective spindle type bearing defective. The noise is ongoing. It feels like its going to break. Very scary...ongoing doesn't stop. Dealer says wont break just replace if you want to... Toyota Service bulletin #T-SB-0034-13 details steering column replacement fix issued on this. I have it. Dealer denies simple joint grease kit maintenance option.
2013 Toyota Highlander steering problems
46 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 54,853. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 46
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical mileage
- 54,853
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
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 2013 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 2013 Toyota Highlander owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When I turn the steering faster than a certain speed, it will lock up for a moment, either turning right or left. Sometimes a light indicating a steering fault lights up on the dash cluster, sometimes not. When the turning of the wheel stops and locks up I cannot turn any more in that direction. I can turn the other way. This has been a problem for sometime and is becoming now worse. Aside from the locking up, justing turning slowly, there is a bit of a whine or low level grind sound in the sound of the steering column. This is a mechanical noise, not the typical whine of the steering pump.
- The car was purchased in 2015 used and the steering wheel has made a clunking sound when turning a hard sharp left or right since the day of purchase -While on a road trip of approximately 3,000 miles round trip in June 2021 the steering wheel was adjusted to accommodate my husband's height. It became very loose, with it finally dropping into my husband's lap on the last day of our trip-it was difficult to steer the car -We brought the car in to our dealership the following day where they confirmed we needed a new steering column-the car has not been involved in any accidents nor have the air bags employed -Other than the "clunking" sound there has never been any previous warning that the steering wheel would disengage while driving.
There are sounds when sometimes when turning, including poping or sometimes like a whirling sound. The steering is a bit stiff sometimes and not easy to turn the wheels, this does not happen at any specific speed. I do not have any picture or other document I can upload as this is not physical damage that can be photographed.
Intermediate steering shaft - noise began around 60k miles and has continued to get worse, now at 104k. If toyota knowingly made a design change and issued a new replacement part, recall should be issued.
'thunk'/popping noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. Was told to replace the intermediate steering shaft, and learned that a new one was developed to fix this problem in 2013 but no recall or safety notice was sent to owners.
When I turn my steering wheel going very slow or stationary my steering wheel makes a popping sounds and my mechanic says it's the intermediate shaft. Its getting worse as I'm putting miles on it. Since it's a steering component, it's a very serious issue since if it fails I will loose complete control of my car.
The door locks stopped working and I was forced to pay to repair them after owning car for less than 6 months. The power windows fail to operate at random times. There was a similar problem with the 2010 toyota yaris window panel. The car jumps or skips while accelerating.
My steering makes a clunking sound, which you can actually feel in the steering wheel when it occurs, when turning either left or right. It is increasing in occurrence and intensity. It occurs at any speed. This has been going on for several months. I took it to the dealership and they lubricated something, saying there was no danger. Should it become worse bring it back. It's going back!
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota highlander. While driving, a clunking noise was heard coming from the steering wheel. In addition, while making left or right turns or while the vehicle was stopped, the noise grew louder. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn when the vehicle had not been driven for a couple of days. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but a failure code could not be found. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,493.
Questions about the 2013 Toyota Highlander steering
Does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have steering problems?
Owners have filed 46 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Toyota Highlander, 22% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota Highlander steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 54,853 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 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 2013 Toyota Highlander problems
Engine 35Acceleration 31Electrical 26Body 18Airbags 17Brakes 17Fuel system 15Transmission 11Seats 10Visibility 8Lights 5Seat belts 5Tires 4Wheels 3Driver assistance 2Suspension 2
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