IllustrationAS I WAS TIRING RIGHT A SENSOR CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ALL THE LIGHTS TURNS OFF. THANK GOD I WAS ALMOST HOME. HAPPENED A FEW TIMES REALLY SCARY.
2011 Toyota Highlander
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Toyota Highlander do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Highlander years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
340–25K
3725–50K
3450–75K
1675–100K
15100–150K
8150K+
144 reports with mileage · 37 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
23 reportsTHE REAR DOOR SENSOR KEEPS INDICATING THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT. THIS CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO FLASH, DOOR TO CHIME, AND THE REAR DISPLAY TO SHOW "DOOR OPEN". THIS BEGAN HAPPENING WHEN I WOULD TURN LEFT. WHEN THE WEATHER IS REALLY HOT OUTSIDE (90S AND ABOVE) IT IS WORSE. THIS ISSUE CAUSES A BIGGER PROBLEM, WITH TH…
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THE REAR DOOR SENSOR KEEPS INDICATING THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT. THIS CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO FLASH, DOOR TO CHIME, AND THE REAR DISPLAY TO SHOW "DOOR OPEN". THIS BEGAN HAPPENING WHEN I WOULD TURN LEFT. WHEN THE WEATHER IS REALLY HOT OUTSIDE (90S AND ABOVE) IT IS WORSE. THIS ISSUE CAUSES A BIGGER PROBLEM, WITH THE VEHICLE THINKING THAT THE REAR DOOR IS NOT CLOSED IT DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO LOCK/ALARM MY VEHICLE WHEN OUT IN PUBLIC. I AM ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND CURRENTLY LIVE OVERSEAS, SO KEEPING MY VEHICLE LOCKED/ALARMED IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
THERE ARE TWO ISSUES WITH MY 2011 HIGHLANDER. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 1 YEAR AGO AND AM QUITE UPSET ABOUT THE ISSUES AND THE MONEY THAT I NEED TO PUT INTO IT. I AM ACTUALLY LOOKING INTO TRADING THIS VEHICLE AS, AFTER SPENDING 26K ON IT, I SHOULDN'T BE DEALING WITH OR PAYING FOR THESE ISSUES. TOYOTA HAS BEEN NONEXISTENT IN OFFER…
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THERE ARE TWO ISSUES WITH MY 2011 HIGHLANDER. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 1 YEAR AGO AND AM QUITE UPSET ABOUT THE ISSUES AND THE MONEY THAT I NEED TO PUT INTO IT. I AM ACTUALLY LOOKING INTO TRADING THIS VEHICLE AS, AFTER SPENDING 26K ON IT, I SHOULDN'T BE DEALING WITH OR PAYING FOR THESE ISSUES. TOYOTA HAS BEEN NONEXISTENT IN OFFERING REMEDIES. I HAVE ONLY EVER OWNED TOYOTAS (2 CAMRYS AND 1 HIGHLANDER) AND PROBABLY WILL NEVER OWN ONE AGAIN. THANKS TOYOTA!!! - THE ALARM CONSTANTLY GOES OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I AM UNABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE OTHERWISE THE ALARM WILL GO OFF EVERY 30 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR. TOYOTA WANTS TO CHARGE $130 JUST TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT PRESENTS ITSELF IN EVERY TOYOTA FORUM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. - THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE WINDOW TO THE CONTRAPTION THAT ROLLS UP AND DOWN THE WINDOW ALL HAVE FALLEN OFF. THIS COST ME 150 TO FIX ON JUST ONE WINDOW. THE BOLTS LOOSEN BY THEMSELVES AND FALL OFF. THIS TOO HAS BEEN LISTED ON MANY TOYOTA FORUMS AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. *TR
THE REAR HATCH DOOR SENSOR GOES OFF WHEN THE CAR MAKES A TURN OR IS DRIVEN OVER BUMP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE DOOR SENSOR SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF MORE THAN $700. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP. COST TO REPLACE, $300. *TR
SENSOR FOR "OPEN DOOR" COMES ON WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR SUDDEN TURNS. MORE PROMINENT WHEN TURNING LEFT EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LOCKING THE VEHICLE AT TIMES DUE TO THIS. HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT HAS TO BE A RUBBER IN THE REAR WINDOW THAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING AROUND AT ANY SPEED…
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SENSOR FOR "OPEN DOOR" COMES ON WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR SUDDEN TURNS. MORE PROMINENT WHEN TURNING LEFT EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LOCKING THE VEHICLE AT TIMES DUE TO THIS. HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT HAS TO BE A RUBBER IN THE REAR WINDOW THAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING AROUND AT ANY SPEED IT RANDOMLY STARTS TO BEEP AND GOES OFF. NOT SAFE WHEN TAKING THE VAN OUT AND ISN'T ABLE TO LOCK OUT IN PUBLIC. *TR
WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO THE ON-RAMP OF THE OF THE HIGHWAY, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON,THE REAR DOOR/WINDOW WARNING CAME ON AND THEN THE DOME LIGHTS CAME ON. IT CONTINUED GOING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES. VERY CONCERNING WHEN YOU ARE IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND CAN'T GET OFF! PREVIOUS TIMES THAT THIS OCCURRED, THE SEAT BELT WA…
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WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO THE ON-RAMP OF THE OF THE HIGHWAY, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON,THE REAR DOOR/WINDOW WARNING CAME ON AND THEN THE DOME LIGHTS CAME ON. IT CONTINUED GOING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES. VERY CONCERNING WHEN YOU ARE IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND CAN'T GET OFF! PREVIOUS TIMES THAT THIS OCCURRED, THE SEAT BELT WARNING WOULD DING, THE "BACK DOOR OPEN" WARNING WOULD FLASH, THE DOME LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON, AND THEN IT WOULD STOP. YESTERDAY, THAT CYCLE CONTINUED. MY HUSBAND BELIEVES YESTERDAY'S INCIDENT BEGAN DUE TO A BUMP IN THE ROAD. ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THERE WAS NO BUMP. *TR
THE WARNING LIGHTS AND DISPLAY INDICATE THAT THE REAR GLASS DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT. THE WARNING LIGHT AND DISPLAYS GOES ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. *TR
2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4WD: SYSTEM CHECK PANEL INDICATING THE REAR GLASS DOOR IS OPEN, WHEN IT'S NOT. CONTINUAL CHIME INDICATING DOOR IS OPEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH TURNING DOME LIGHT OFF AND ON. BAD DOOR SENSOR FAULTY ELECTRICAL DOOR SWITCH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY AND THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND THE NOISE THE E…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY AND THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND THE NOISE THE ENGINE WAS EXHIBITING WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN AUGUST 2012 WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AND INTO A PARKING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ABNORMAL NOISE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,467 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,896. UPDATED 10/03/12*LJ UPDATED 10/3/2012*JS
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE ON A SLIGHT CURVE TO THE RIGHT IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING, BUT THE WHEELS WERE NOT RESPONDING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MUCH HARDER TO TURN. SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY EASY TO TURN AND THE CAR VEERED HEAVILY TO THE RIGHT…
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WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE ON A SLIGHT CURVE TO THE RIGHT IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING, BUT THE WHEELS WERE NOT RESPONDING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MUCH HARDER TO TURN. SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY EASY TO TURN AND THE CAR VEERED HEAVILY TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AT OTHER SPEEDS. *TR THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/13/12 THE CONSUMER STATED ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEMS WERE FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH ELECTRIC STEERING. UPDATED 10/22/12
Official recalls
516V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
15V689000 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
Oct 22, 2015
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
13V123000 · Equipment:other:labels
Apr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats
Jan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA18006 · Steering Column Separation
Opened Nov 16, 2018 · Closed Apr 2, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column
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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov.
Steering
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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov.
PE18005 · Upper Steering Column Separation
Opened May 4, 2018 · Closed Nov 20, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column
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 www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
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 www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
Steering
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 www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.