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 ↗2013 Toyota Highlander steering problems
severe 46 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
46
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 46 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 46 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.
Among the 17 model years of Toyota Highlander in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 consistently report a clunking, knocking, or popping noise from the steering column when turning—especially at low speeds or while stationary. The noise often worsens over months or years of ownership. Several report feeling looseness or vibration in the steering wheel itself. Most complaints cite the intermediate steering shaft as the culprit, with mechanics describing visible slack between the shaft and the rack-and-pinion connection.
Failures typically surface between 30,000 and 65,000 miles, though some remain quiet longer. One owner at 104,000 miles reports the noise continuing to worsen. Dealers diagnose the problem readily once they listen for it; earlier visits often show technicians unable to detect the issue.
Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0034-13 (dated April 2017) and redesigned the shaft part number from 45220-48170 to 45220-48171, yet no recall has been issued. Repair costs range from $428 to $588 when out of warranty. Multiple owners report being told the replacement part carries only a one-year warranty and that the failure may recur, with future repairs costing $500 or more.
Two serious incidents involved steering wheel detachment—one during highway driving when adjusting the telescopic function, another when the wheel dropped into a passenger's lap after adjustment. Both required full steering column replacement at costs exceeding $2,000. One additional complaint describes steering lock-up during turns and steering fault warnings on the dash.
Same Toyota Highlander steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Intermediate/Pinion Steering Shaft Looseness and Wear
The intermediate steering shaft develops play, looseness, or wear that causes knocking, clunking, and popping noises when turning. Mechanics report finding visible slack where the shaft connects to the rack and pinion. Some owners describe the noise as getting progressively louder over time. One complaint mentions the shaft being so loose a mechanic could manipulate it by hand and noted it was close to catastrophic failure.
When: Typically between 30,000 and 65,000 miles; one vehicle at 104,000 miles still experiencing worsening noise
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking, clunking, or popping noise when turning left or right; Noise most noticeable at low speeds and during sharp turns; Steering wheel vibration accompanying the noise; Loose or sloppy steering feel; Noise becomes louder and more frequent over time; Visible slack in steering shaft where it connects to rack and pinion
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of intermediate steering shaft; costs reported range from $428 to $588 out of warranty. Toyota redesigned the part from 45220-48170 to 45220-48171. One owner was told future replacements would cost $500 per occurrence and come with only a one-year warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0034-13 issued 4/26/17 regarding steering pinion shaft. TSB-0034-13 mentioned multiple times in narratives. No official recall issued despite redesigned replacement part. Some dealerships perform lubrication as temporary remedy.
Steering Wheel Detachment or Excessive Looseness
In one documented case, the steering wheel came completely off in an owner's hands while adjusting the telescopic steering adjustment at highway speed. Another complaint reports the steering wheel dropped into a passenger's lap after being adjusted on a 3,000-mile road trip. Both cases required steering column replacement.
When: One incident occurred at unknown mileage during telescope adjustment at highway speed on I-80; another after adjustment during road trip with high mileage accumulated recently
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel coming off or becoming severely loose during adjustment; Loss of steering control capability; Steering wheel difficulty to adjust
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column and mount replacement required; cost estimated at over $2,000
Power Steering Electrical Failure
Electronic power steering system failure where the power steering assist stops functioning during normal driving. Instrument panel displays warning that power steering needs assistance.
When: At 48,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure while driving at 45 mph; Instrument panel warning: 'Power steering needs assistance'
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic computer managing steering required replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified
Steering Lock-Up During Turning
Steering wheel locks up momentarily when turning faster than a certain speed, preventing continued rotation in that direction. Sometimes accompanied by a steering fault warning on the dash, sometimes not. Also reported as a low-level whine or grinding sound in the steering column during slow turns.
When: Ongoing and worsening over time
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up momentarily when turning at certain speeds; Cannot continue turning in one direction until unlocked; Can turn in opposite direction during lock-up; Low-level whine or grinding sound in steering column during slow turns; Intermittent steering fault light on dash cluster; Problem worsening over time
Synthesized from 46 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
My 2013 Toyota highlander was purchased used in 2015 with about 40,000 miles on it. In 2016 the car started to make a "thumping" noise when I make a left turn over a bump but it didn't happen often and I thought it was related to my garage entry of a 1.5" bump in the pavement. Most noticeable at low speeds but that may be a result of the lower interior noise. The care has had these noises…
When I turn the steering faster than a certain speed, it will lock up for a moment, either turning right or left. Sometimes a light indicating a steering fault lights up on the dash cluster, sometimes not. When the turning of the wheel stops and locks up I cannot turn any more in that direction. I can turn the other way. This has been a problem for sometime and is becoming now worse.…
Vehicle started making a clunking noise 3 days ago. Brought it into the dealership to have it repaired. Was informed it was not covered under warranty and it would cost $507 in repairs. After reading many complaints about the same issue it actually is making me a little concerned.I have always owned Toyota's and never have had any issues. My mileage is 65,887 I truly believe that this issue needs…
'thunk'/popping noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. Was told to replace the intermediate steering shaft, and learned that a new one was developed to fix this problem in 2013 but no recall or safety notice was sent to owners.
Around a year ago, at approximately 58000 miles, I began to notice a knocking sound and steering vibration when I turned in either direction at low speed in city driving. I took the vehicle in for evaluation at rice Toyota. The technicians could not hear anything. I took it back at 61,118 in february 2018 as the steering had gotten worse, now loose and sloppy feeling at any speed. They could…
My complaint is about steering column noises, play, looseness and feedback through the steering wheel. It is described in a service bulletin: tsb-0034-13 I have 97,000 miles on the vehicle and the play is becoming more noticeable as mileage increases. It is very disappointing that Toyota knew about this issue and issued the tsb before I purchased it new. How are owners supposed to be…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 46 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 43,000 and 63,000 miles, with the median around 54,853. A quarter of owners report trouble before 43,000; a quarter make it past 63,000. 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/2013/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.