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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,360 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Toyota Highlander steering problems

steering problem

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2015 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Sep 232017

Highlander

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering became firm. The steering wheel independently moved to the left and to the right. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Modoc, SC, USA

problem #21

Aug 242021

Highlander

  • miles
steering rack/box

- Gurabo , PR, USA

problem #20

Dec 302020

Highlander

  • 100,000 miles
This vehicle has a really bad electrical issue with the steering wheel, it feels like it wonders from time to time.then the motor will stall out almost completely while driving down the road. Taken to dealer to only have them not replicate the same problems as when we have it. I know it's not me because my spouse has discussed it with me too. I see there's recalls for similar problems within the same production on this vehicle but somehow it didn't get any notifications but clearly it describes the same problems.

- Kimberling City, MO, USA

problem #19

Jan 122020

Highlander

  • 41,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our 2015 Highlander steering intermittently locks up and has a complete loss of power. First happened when starting the vehicle and had to sit and start and stop over 15 times and the steering finally came back. We immediately contacted Toyota and they said this vehicle had no recalled parts and there is no problem. When it happened the second time we took it in and they said it had a bad battery and the problem was fixed. We paid a hefty service fee and paid for a really expensive battery. Two days later it happened again and while moving on a city street about 35/40 mph. We got over safely but was so dangerous. Took it back to Toyota and they are telling us the vehicle has no problem and we just need to use it till it happens again and bring it back! if we don't kill ourselves or another motorist! after doing our own research we find our car is doing exactly what the vehicles with the recall are doing but they will not replace the eps system and Toyota is putting us back on the road in a dangerous vehicle. So now we only have one vehicle and struggling to get by. I find it completely unacceptable that Toyota customer relations was of no help and rude on the phone. Now we have bought a $40,000 car we can not drive and be safe on the road with. How can they not help us and fix the problem? we will have to get a second opinion and end up paying more money to fix the problem. Thanks Toyota we will not buy another.

- Antelope, CA, USA

problem #18

Apr 232019

Highlander 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles
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 NHTSA campaign number: 15V144000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted on April 24. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000. The VIN was not available.

- Somers, CT, USA

problem #17

Feb 062019

Highlander

  • 32,673 miles
For two years now, my vehicle will randomly have an engine stall while operating the vehicle. It happens at different speeds and while going straight ahead or turning. The entire instrument panel and navigation screens shuts off and turns back on. I have taken the car in to Toyota twice and was told they couldn't find anything wrong or get the the vehicle to malfunction again. Today, the engine didn't immediately come back on after stalling, and I had to pull over and turn the car off and back on again. My car has less than 33000 miles on it and has had regular maintenance. This is truly a safety concern at this point and it seems I'm not the only one with this issue according to those reported to the NHTSA.

- Sumter, SC, USA

problem #16

Jun 012015

Highlander

  • 1,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Light on cruise control lever on steering column flickers off and on if vehicle is in motion and steering column is in use. Alternator in car already required replacement at 73,000. Dealership was advised of issue and I was told there was nothing wrong with the lever.

- Valley View, PA, USA

problem #15

Jul 092018

Highlander

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. While the contact's son was driving at an unknown speed, the steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 15V144000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to have it diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000. The VIN was not available.

- Cornelius, NC, USA

problem #14

May 172018

Highlander

  • 35,000 miles
An intermittent squeaking noise occurs when turning the steering wheel left or right. I have noticed this when driving on a highway as well as on local roads

- Centerport, NY, USA

problem #13

Feb 162018

Highlander

  • 88,000 miles
It is hard to turn wheel on low speed. Both directions

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #12

Apr 082016

Highlander

  • 15,425 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 50 mph on a winding road, the steering wheel locked up and prevented the contact from maintaining control. As a result, the vehicle drove into a ditch and flipped over. The air bags deployed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to the face and leg. Medical attention was not needed. The dealer stated that the vehicle was included in and repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V144000 (steering). The contact stated that they were never informed of the recall or the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,425.

- Baconton, GA, USA

problem #11

Apr 202015

Highlander

  • 165 miles
This vehicle has severe torque steer when accelerating at highway speed. The vehicle pulls hard left and you have to fight the wheel to maintain control. It is very dangerous, especially when trying to pass another vehicle. My complaints to the dealership were waved aside - one tech told me "all our front wheel drive cars do it"

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

Dec 292014

Highlander

  • miles
When accelerating from a stop and especially when turning, say at a stop sign, one looses control of steering. The car is also difficult to steer when going into passing gear. I fear that losing control is a major safety problem. My Toyota dealership will not do anything about this problem. This happens repeatedly, even though I drive conservatively and has since I bought the car in December 2014.

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #9

Oct 082016

Highlander

  • 65,500 miles
Two or three times now, while paused in traffic, I look at the radio instrument panel and it has completely shut off and reboots, it then causes all previously programmed information in the system to be changed. In addition at the same time, the steering feels like it "pauses". I checked my VIN it is not in the recall but I will be taking it to the dealer as soon as possible. Once the electrical radio/entertainment system rebooted while traveling on the highway, I only noticed it because the radio shut off. I did not notice anything at that time with the steering and I thought it was a fluke, but now after three times, I am bringing to the dealer

- Crozet, VA, USA

problem #8

Dec 142015

Highlander

  • 14,638 miles
While driving on a city street, the steering became extremely difficult as if power steering shut down. "eps failure, steering wheel harder to turn" warning appeared on the dash cluster. We pulled over, turned off the vehicle, then turned it back on -- the warning disappeared and steering was normal again. Our Highlander was manufactured in 3/15. My VIN was not in the recall for NHTSA campaign number: 15V144000. Toyota replaced the steering computer under warranty, at no charge. I'm writing to suggest the extent of condition needs to be expanded to include additional vehicles.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #7

Aug 222015

Highlander

  • 9,784 miles
Received recall notice. Scheduled service on vehicle for Saturday the 22nd of September 2015, 0930. Documentation indicated the recall would take a total of approximately 4 hours to complete. Recall was for eps ECU, urgent safety recall. At about 1445, received call from dealer that they would have to order the part and my vehicle would not be ready until the part was in on Tuesday the 25th and repairs completed. Why did they not have the part on hand at the dealer if this was an urgent recall? called Toyota, ref # 1508221403 and they indicated they only send the part when the vehicle has been identified as needing the repair. This is not "within a reasonable time" for an urgent safety recall.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #6

May 292015

Highlander

  • 38,040 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver when making a right or left turn. The eps warning light illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,040.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #5

May 202015

Highlander

  • miles
I received my recall letter for the eps ECU unit 5/13. Inspection would take 1.5 hours, replacement 2.5 hours or longer depending on the dealer's work schedule. The first available appt at the dealership was 5/20. On 5/20 I drove to the dealership for a morning appointment and it was confirmed that my vehicle had the problem. I was told they had to order the part, would keep my vehicle and they would provide a loaner. I called the dealership on 5/27 for an update. Was told the part did not arrive but it was expected the next day. They would call with an update on 5/28. No call from the dealership on 5/28 so I called the Toyota customer experience center (cec) and was given a case number. On 6/1, I called the dealership and was told the part still had not arrived but had been shipped. I called my cec rep and complained about the delay. I was informed that the repair parts have been on back order since last month and they are scheduled to begin arriving sometime during the month of June. I asked for an explanation of the information disconnect between the letter, Toyota corporate and the dealership on the part availability for this recall. I also asked what Toyota's definition of a reasonable amount of time was for addressing this recall and my rep was unable to provide an answer suggesting that the time varied by state. Day 13 has passed and neither my dealership nor Toyota seem have a clue when this will be resolved. In addition, both the dealership and Toyota were informed during our inital conversations that I have a cross-country relocation scheduled for 6/8. my rep said she would call me on June 4 to see how things are progressing. We were led to believe in the recall letter this was less than a one day project when indeed there is and has been a serious supply chain problem. Honesty from Toyota on day one would have been nice.

- Marenisco, MI, USA

problem #4

May 292015

Highlander

  • 6,000 miles
I took my 2015 Toyota Highlander to fred anderson Toyota in raleigh for a recall on the ciruit board for the electric power steering. They found that my car contained the defecctive part and were unable to provide me an eta on the replacement part. The dealershiip provided a Camry rental car, not a comparable vehicle. The entire reason I purchased the Highlander was becuase my family need a large SUV. I traded in a car for an SUV and have received a car back from them. I have left messages for the rental car manager and he has not returned my calls. The service department indicates thatt several Highlanders have been waiting for this part for over a month now, which is unacceptable. It could be over a month before I get my brand new vehicle back (no one can tell me), and I'm stuck with a vehicle that does not meet my families daily needs. I called Toyota corporate and they have offered no further assistance.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #3

May 142015

Highlander

  • miles
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V144000(steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

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