Have noise in steering shaft at low speed when turning and backing up and pulling forward . Toyota dealer checked at 50,000 mile while still under warranty and said they could not duplicate noise . When having oil change at 62000 miles mentioned it again to service man and was told it probably is the steering intermediate shaft they always go bad in that year and Toyota will not replace unless I…
2012 Toyota Highlander steering problems
moderate 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 47 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 17 model years of Toyota Highlander we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 47.
Owners have filed 47 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing steering failure. Freedom Toyota of harrisburg (6060 allentown blvd, harrisburg, pa 17112, (717) 545-4726) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving 20 MPH, the intermediate shaft separated from the steering column. The vehicle was pulled over and towed back to the…
Making popping noise in steering wheel when turning. Took to dealership where I have it serviced and they informed me it was the steering shaft assembly. Which cost $273 dollars before labor. My understanding is that they have had problems with the 2008 to 2013 models. In my opinion this is a safety issue and should be covered by Toyota.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota highlander. While the contact was backing the vehicle out of the driveway, a popping noise was heard from the steering column. The noise occurred for at least six months and was becoming more frequent. The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer (mcgeorge Toyota, 9319 w broad street, henrico, va 23294) to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not…
Noticed a subtle knocking sound on the steering wheel one year ago. Today it became more pronounced ,louder , as I turn the wheel either left or right. I wanted to know if there is a recall on this problem. And is it safe to drive my highlander ?
Had steering trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 47 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?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 50,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2012/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.