MONDAY 2, 2020 AND ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE AND 2 OTHER TIMES ,THE STEERING WHEEL ICON WOULD SHOW ON DASH. AND ON AT LEAST TWICE WHILE DRIVEING STEERING WOULD LOCK UP SO BAD ,IT REQUIRED YOUR WHOLE BODY WEIGHT TO TURN A SMALL AMOUNT . THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE KILLED! PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED ENGINE AND THAT PUTS SEERING BACK TO NORMAL FOR A LITTLE WHILE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 11/02…
2016 Toyota Highlander steering problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I WAS JUST PROCEEDING FROM A STOP AT A 4 WAY INTERSECTION GO VERY SLOWLY WHEN I RECEIVED A WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD SAYING "EPS FAILURE, STEERING WHEEL HARDER TO TURN". I WAS THEN PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED. THIS WAS AT AN EXTREMELY BUSY INTERSECTION AND I ALMOST HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. EVEN WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP AND TURN, MY VEHICLE WA…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2016 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.