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8.5

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,517 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.

2018 Toyota Highlander steering problems

steering problem

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2018 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments

problem #7

Apr 212024

Highlander

  • miles

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

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)

- Philadelphia , MS, USA

problem #6

Sep 042023

Highlander

  • miles
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.

- Rochester Hills , MI, USA

problem #5

Sep 172021

Highlander

  • 1,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel inadvertently locked. The warning message "ETS Failure - Steering Will Be Harder to Steer" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated he forcefully steered the steering wheel and veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle and as he restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel was still significantly difficult to steer. The contact stated he was able to drive the vehicle to the nearest dealer, though the steering wheel was significantly difficult to steer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a computer system malfunction. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Maplewood, NJ, USA

problem #4

Jun 132021

Highlander

  • miles

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

Upon turning on the vehicle the brake peddle locked and the steering wheel. Message prompted "braking power low, stop in safe place". After that all electronic features failed and vehicle did not turn on at all. Vehicle wouldn't even lock. Mine and my families safety was at risk due to the fact that this could have happened while the vehicle was in motion and all steering and braking abilities are lost. The vehicle is scheduled to be seen. No warning signs/lampsor other symptoms where present prior to the incident.

- Schertz, TX, USA

problem #3

May 022020

Highlander 6-cyl

  • miles
2018 Toyota Highlander. Consumer writes regarding inability to have recall performed due to parts being unavailable.

- Bainbridge Island, WA, USA

problem #2

Jul 092019

Highlander

  • 16,000 miles
Steering wheel leather is peeling and causing issues with grip. Have a 5 year old and feel very unsafe driving our Highlander with 20K on it that Toyota claims is cosmetic issue. Transmission shudders very badly going up hills and almost stalls out.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #1

Jun 022018

Highlander

  • 7,616 miles
My vehicle cannot be aligned. This is a very dangerous driving condition. Especially on wet roads. Toyota has had 5 plus attempts to correct this.vehicle was driven by 2 Toyota headquarters specialist. They deemed the vehicle safe to drive. 48hrs after it was taken to another dealership. This dealership found the front driver side wheel toe out severely. They corrected the misalignment. At least on paper thats the way it looked until on my way home from the dealership this vehicle pulled me into on coming traffic.

- Daisytown, PA, USA

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