Toyota Highlander steering lock-up problems

Filed Sep 21, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Was stuck in traffic on a highway for about 25 minutes going 0 miles per hour because of an accident about 5 miles away. Then the traffic started to clear and began driving on the road again. About five minutes later, the vehicle lost full drive abilities and the check engine light came on, traction control light on, brake light was on, ABS light was on, stability control warning light on, and then on the info screen the vehicle stated, "Hybrid System Malfunction Stop in a Safe Place, See Owner's Manual", screen then showed within 2-seconds, "Pre-Collision System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer", then in about 2 additional seconds later the info screen stated, "Check Engine Visit Your Dealer", then most every waring light turned on, and there was no power for drive with either hybrid or gasoline engine. The vehicle basically came to a sudden halt in the middle of traffic with steering wheel locked and no control. Had to get police involved and a tow to get off the road. Had vehicle towed to a local toyota dealership and they do not open until Monday at 9am. This incident occurred on Saturday around 3pm.

Filed Apr 21, 2024 · Fuel system, Lights · MS

Driving along [XXX] in Alabama to Mississippi, the Highlander completely shut off - the dash & radio were blank. The steering wheel locked up. Luckily there was no vehicles behind or beside us when this happened. Within seconds, the truck came back on. 15 minutes prior, we were sitting in a parking lot to eat lunch & while in idle, the truck shuddered a few times, like the gas pedal was pressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 4, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Driving on I75 at 75mph, while trying to adjust the steering wheel, as soon I unlocked steering wheel lock and put the steering all the way to lowest position it just stalled on highway. Lucky enough I was alone and was able to pull over safely. There is seriously something wrong with steering wheel electrical or ignition system or something with else.

Filed Sep 1, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · 106,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while his wife was driving inside the parking lot of a gas station, the steering wheel seized and then the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated that a bystander assisted with jumpstarting the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a nearby Walmart and was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The contact purchased and replaced the battery. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Mar 16, 2023 · Electrical · CA

Description of Problem (electrical issue affecting multiple systems): Engine shuts off while driving. All instrument/electronic displays shut off or flicker while driving. Steering wheel locks and vibrates. Liftgate does not open. Vehicle cannot be unlocked with fob. Vehicle does not start. May start after several attempts. Safety: My family's safety was put at risk when car stalled and almost hit by other vehicles while driving on streets and highway. Risk has continued because Toyota has not identified and fixed the problem. Dealer: The problem has been reproduced by dealer. Dealer blamed and replaced battery, but problem continued. Vehicle only inspected by dealer and nobody else. Warning Lamps/Message: No Service lights or warning messaged on.

Filed Oct 5, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

Engine light came on, took to auto parts store and they checked for the code. Was told it was an issue with the fuel pump/ vacuum. Reset engine light, stopped to fill up with gas and car would not restart. The steering wheel locked and car would not crank. Was jumped off by a bystander, still would not turn over. After sitting for approx 15 minutes, I tried to restart vehicle again and it cranked. One week later, on vacation, car would not start after getting gas. Once again, took it to auto part store and same code and check engine light was on. Reset engine light, drove fine. Once check engine light is on, I am unable to use cruise control, this was very inconvenient since we were traveling! I have had this same issue happen about 5 times now! Making appointment with dealership to see if this weill be covered by my warranty and hopefully it is a simple fix.

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Fuel system · 10,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 toyota highlander.the contact stated while driving 60 MPH,when multiple warning lights began to illuminate and the vehicle seized.the contact was able restart the ignition and drive away.the vehicle was taken to local dealer lia toyota of rockland (618 ny-303, blauvelt, ny 10913:(845) 367-4219),where it was diagnosed with needing the mac sensor plug to be replaced.the vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure.the vehicle was taken back to lia toyota of rockland and was diagnosed with needing "unknown recall" to be completed. Repairs were completed.the contact stated on 2/27/2020, while driving 55 MPH,when the vehicle seized.the contact attempted to glide to the right side of the road when another vehicle rear ended him.the airbags did not deploy.the contact sustained injured on his back column and seek medical attention at a near hospital.a police report was filed.the vehicle was taken rivera toyota service & parts center(255 kisco ave, mt kisco, ny 10549:(866) 982-4310),where it was diagnosed with needing unknown sensor to be replaced.the vehicle was repaired.the contact stated when attempting to park on the side of the road but the steering wheel seized and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and he drove over a large branch,which detached the rear bumper.the airbags did not deploy.the contact stated he did not have any injuries or seek medical attention. No police report was filed.the contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was taken back rivera toyota service & parts center and was informed the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v682000 (fuel system, gasoline),however,the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer had made aware of the issue.VIN tool confirms parts not available.the failure mileage was approximately 10,000. *recall related.

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · Steering · 150,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota highlander. When the contact attempted to turn the vehicle to the left or right, the steering wheel seized. In order to release the steering wheel, the contact had to retract the steering wheel quickly to the point that it would seize. The contact took the vehicle to west coast toyota (located at 3399 w. Willow st, long beach, ca 90806) where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Oct 31, 2019 · Engine, Steering · 4,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact leases a 2019 toyota highlander. While driving, the engine stalled without warning and the steering wheel seized. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive normally; however, the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to page toyota (21262 telegraph rd, southfield, mi 48033, (248) 352-8580) where it was diagnosed, but the technician could not find a failure code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 1910282286. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Steering · 63,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle drifted safely off of the roadway. The ignition was cycled off and on; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, with the ignition in the off position, the contact was able to manually turn the steering wheel in either direction. With the ignition in the on position, the steering wheel remained seized in one position. The vehicle was towed to gale toyota (located at 50 palomba dr, enfield, ct 06082, (860) 741-3761) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v144000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted on april 24. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000. The VIN was not available. *bf