2005 Toyota Highlander Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 12%of 224 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Toyota Highlander, 12% of the 224 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I returned from work on 08/28/2013 I noticed a leak under my vehicle. I took my car to an auto mechanic on 8/30/2023 and they informed me that the power steering line was rusted and leaking and needed to be replaced. My vehicle only has 74296 in mileage. I had the power steering line replaced for safety reasons.”
NHTSA complaint #10541905, filed 2013-09, 74,296 miles“There is a distinct cluck from the steering column at slow speeds and while turning (indicating something is loose or not tight), I have read there is a technical service bulletin from Toyota for this issue but I believe this could be a safety issue as it requires the replacement of the intermediate shaft on the steering column. Tsb # st001-06 for Highlander and camry.”
NHTSA complaint #10392996, filed 2011-03, 45,000 miles“When I was trying to park my Toyota Highlander 2005 in front of the building where I work, backing up, the engine iddle went extremely high and I tried to stop, but I could not do it because the steering wheel and the brakes locked. I tried to put the gear in neutral, but instead, it went straigh to drive, so it causes major damages to 2 vehicles behind mine, and other 3 in front of mine too. Also my vehicle destroyed a mail box and a tree, but I could not stop until my Highlander stopped by itself totally destroyed. I ended up in the hospital with some trauma.”
NHTSA complaint #10895208, filed 2016-08, 50 miles“On saturday, may 30th at approximately 8:30 I was moving our 2005 Highlander from the street into our reserved parking space within our complex. As I was starting my right hand turn into the complex the car accelerator stuck. I hit the curb on the driver's/left side causing the vehicle to veer to the right. As the car continued to accelerate I hit a tree and knocked over one of the community's posted signage. The impact made the car bounce backward partially into the drive, damaging the front passenger's side, drive shaft broke, front end part flew all over and a small fire occurred. …”
NHTSA complaint #10726359, filed 2015-06, 104,493 miles“In feb 2011 my Toyota dealer, wilde Toyota, installed 4 brand new tires on my 2005 Highlander. They performed an alignment as well. Since then my steering wheel had been off centered. When I drive straight I have to hold my steering wheel slightly to the left. Wilde Toyota tried to fix this issue 4 separate times without success. A Toyota field tech came out to inspect the vehicle and stated that its set to factory specs. After he made some minor adjustments the steering wheel has to be held to the right side now instead of the left side in order to drive straight. …”
NHTSA complaint #10502035, filed 2013-03, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10168537Oct 21, 2019TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10060836Feb 25, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10019873Feb 16, 2006Steering intermediate shaft noise.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 9 | 2% |
| 2020 | 6 | 2% |
| 2019 | 8 | 2% |
| 2018 | 10 | 4% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 5% |
| 2015 | 25 | 13% |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% |
| 2013 | 46 | 22% |
| 2012 | 46 | 25% |
| 2011 | 34 | 19% |
| 2010 | 21 | 10% |
| 2009 | 11 | 8% |
| 2008 | 40 | 10% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 16 | 6% |
| 2005 | 26 | 12% |
| 2004 | 35 | 12% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Highlander
51 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology