NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
25 reportsClear category filter99,800 miles · Jun 1, 2026
Electrical SystemSteering
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the infotainment screen would go blank and the system would turn on inadvertently. This issue became more frequent, occurring approximately every 10 seconds. The power steering warning light also illuminated. …
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the infotainment screen would go blank and the system would turn on inadvertently. This issue became more frequent, occurring approximately every 10 seconds. The power steering warning light also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store where a handheld diagnostic machine did not detect any failures or codes. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel became extremely stiff. On one occasion while his daughter was driving and turning the vehicle on a curved road, the vehicle veered into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that she managed to get the vehicle back to the correct side of the road, then stopped and inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an auto parts store where a handheld diagnostic machine was used, but the failure was not detected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact believes that the steering failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V144 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,800.
NHTSA ODI #11741329
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2026
Steering
[XXX] battery light appeared on dash. [XXX] on my way to Limestone service station 399 Danbury rd Ridgefield ct ph203-438-8028 a warning appeared on dash stating i will lose steering.Luckily I managed to pull into a parking lot and lost all ability to steer. Thank God i was not on the highway and was not in a catastrophic accid…
Read full complaint
[XXX] battery light appeared on dash. [XXX] on my way to Limestone service station 399 Danbury rd Ridgefield ct ph203-438-8028 a warning appeared on dash stating i will lose steering.Luckily I managed to pull into a parking lot and lost all ability to steer. Thank God i was not on the highway and was not in a catastrophic accident.The dashboard went blank. The engine stayed on as I called Limestone and was told I needed to be towed..As I was calling Allstate for a tow the dashboard came back on and so did the steering. I drove to Limestone. After checking everything I was told they didn't find any codes and there must be a glitch in the system. Battery good, alternator good, serpentine belt good. We also found a recall NHTSA campaign number15V144000 for unexpected loss of electric power steering increasing the risk of a crash for 2015 Toyota Highlander. Jan2 2026 i drove to Brookfield Ct Toyota and was informed by a very helpful service manager Katelyn Hadden that Unbelievably my Vin number was not included in this recall and to come back when it happens again I am a [XXX] grandfather who takes his grandchildren everywhere and will not put their lives in danger in this car until this problem is fixed. I was told by Limestone to stay local and come back when it happens again. I would sincerely appreciate any help in correcting this defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11713615
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2024
Steering
Driving the car was hard to steer. Check engine light came on and check speed sensor. Went to a mechanic and disconnected the battery, the sensor reset and back driving ok for about two weeks. This went on for a few weeks. Been a month now and it hasn't come on but it was dangerous due to driving and turning issues.
NHTSA ODI #11630267
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2023
Steering
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…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #11551359
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2022
Steering
steering rack/box
NHTSA ODI #11479214
100,000 miles · Jan 17, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
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…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #11388552
41,000 miles · Jan 16, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
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 HAPP…
Read full complaint
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 $40,000.00 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.
NHTSA ODI #11299797
63,000 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Steering
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 CONTA…
Read full complaint
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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON APRIL 24. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB
NHTSA ODI #11203477
32,673 miles · Feb 6, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
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 ANYTHIN…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #11174754
1,000 miles · Sep 24, 2018
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
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.
NHTSA ODI #11130868