There is a clunk noise in the steering column On bumpy roads
Toyota Highlander steering noise problems
79 of the 5,816 owner complaints about the Toyota Highlander describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 79
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical repair cost reported
- $550
- typical mileage
- 72,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 33Knocking 11Whining noise 1Grinding brakes 1
What owners say
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
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)
"Clicking" sound in steering wheel when barely turning wheel. Can also feel the "click" in the steering wheel. Was told it is a driving shaft problem - that this has been an ongoing problem with Toyota's, yet there has not been a recall. This needs to be looked into and the appropriate recall needs to be made to correct the faulty drive shafts.
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 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.
- 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.
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/
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.
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.
Related recalls
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous the federal safety agency recall number 23V‑480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.
Recall number 25V040000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 15V144000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota Highlander steering noise
Which Toyota Highlander years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (17 complaints), 2013 (16 complaints) and 2011 (14 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix clunking or noise when steering on the Toyota Highlander?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $550 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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