TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Toyota Highlander steering problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE: April 26, 2017 Rev1: G361 ? The Parts Information section has been updated. Some 2008 ? 2013 model year Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles may exhibit a clunk, pop, or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. A new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this condition. Use the following repair procedure to remove and replace the steering intermediate shaft.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TOYOTA: THERE IS A WHINING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ABOVE 35 MPH, FROM FINAL DRIVE GEAR ASSEMBLY AND A REPAIR PROCEDURE HAS AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. MODEL 2008-2013 HIGHLANDER.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report three distinct steering problem patterns. Power steering assist failure is the most serious: multiple owners experienced sudden loss of electric power steering, making the wheel manual and hard to turn. One owner had it fail twice—once at 88,644 miles and again at 134,521 miles—each time requiring dealer replacement of the steering column and computer module. Another owner heard a whine in the dash area 80 miles before complete loss of assist. In one case, power steering came and went intermittently while the battery light flashed, making safe operation unreliable. Toyota dealers identified the issue as electronic power steering needing wiring harness and steering module replacement. A recall exists (NHTSA #14V168000), but owners report parts unavailability.
Mechanical steering column problems include a wheel coming completely loose while adjusting the telescoping mechanism at 30 mph—causing the owner to drift into oncoming traffic. Others report clunking or thumping from the lower steering column during turns, sometimes worsening over weeks, with a car shop identifying the column as the source.
One owner reported abnormal tire movement while backing and turning, as if tires might detach from the axle.
Same Toyota Highlander steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss/hardening
Complete or partial power steering assist failure, leaving steering wheel manual and difficult or impossible to turn. Failures occur at various mileages and may happen suddenly during driving or upon engine start.
When: 88,644 miles (first failure in one vehicle); 127,000 miles; 134,521 miles (second failure in same vehicle); intermittent; at engine start
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes nearly impossible or very difficult to turn; No power assist despite no visible power steering fluid leak; Intermittent whine or humming noise in driver-side dash area 80 miles before failure; Battery light illuminates coinciding with loss of power assist; Power assist comes and goes intermittently, making safe operation difficult
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported replacement of steering column (part #45250-48181) and computer (part #89650-48060); Toyota dealer quoted need for replacement of wiring harness and steering module; recall notification issued but parts unavailable for repair (NHTSA campaign #14V168000)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign #14V168000 (steering); dealer advised electronic power steering wiring harness and steering module replacement needed; manufacturer notified but vehicle not repaired in some cases
Steering column/wheel mechanical failure
Steering wheel came loose from column or attachment point while adjusting telescoping mechanism, or steering column developed play/clunking noise during turns.
When: At 30 mph while adjusting telescoping wheel; low-speed turns throughout ownership; 42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel detached or came loose from steering column; Loud rapid beeping noise when wheel came loose; Loud clunking or thumping noise from lower steering column during left or right turns; Clunking noise increasing in frequency over weeks; Clicking noise from steering column during turns
Repairs/costs cited: Car shop inspected and identified steering column as source of clicking; owner believes part replacement needed
Steering geometry/alignment anomaly
Abnormal tire movement or steering behavior during backing and turning, with tires appearing to move independently from axle.
When: During backing and turning maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Strange tire movement when backing up and turning; Tires appear to move as if they will detach from axle
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2009 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 101,104 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.