Skip to content
SteeringPart report

2019 Toyota Highlander Steering Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
2%of 507 total for the year
Median mileage
4,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the steering of the 2019 Toyota Highlander, 2% of the 507 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“2019 Toyota Highlander xle. At 1230 miles eps failure warning light came on. The steering wheel will not turn. Vehicle was towed to Toyota universe in new jersey. Recalibrated the computer. The next day the problem occurred again. I was pulling out of my garage. When I put the vehicle in drive the warning displayed and steering wheel would not turn.”

NHTSA complaint #11321373, filed 2020-04, 1,230 miles

“While driving, the vehicle had a slight lag when I applied gas then started beeping and provided the warnings: check engine, hybrid system malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, check awd system. I turned the car off multiple times, the errors were still on the car the next morning when I started the car to take it to the service appt. When I got to the dealership I turned the car off to check it in, when I came back the error was gone. They checked out the car they said there was nothing wrong with it and thought it was just 'ambient conditions'. …”

NHTSA complaint #11244038, filed 2019-08, 10,800 miles

“Issue 1: I reported transmission issued to the dealership/service center where I purchased the car. They assured me its just the electronic transmission trying to find the right gear while driving. Continued to complaint about the jerks and shifting. Dealer warranty expired, then they agreed that I needed a new transmission. Fortunately I had an outside extended warranty otherwise they'd probably would have waited until that ended too. Status post the transmission, tuning, sensor replacements, spark plug replacement, and TPMS replacements all in one service. …”

NHTSA complaint #11702125, filed 2025-11

“Poser steering failed momentarily. I was at the drive-thru window of CVS and was afraid my mirror would hit the pole when I pulled forward. I tried to turn while backing up slowly from a full stop. The car momentarily resisted my attempt to turn the wheel. There was no safety risk at the time. I have not had the problem investigated. The problem quickly corrected (within 2 seconds(?), o I did not notice or look for any warning lamp or message. I have read of steering failure on highways in the 2019 Highlander and am concerned that this is a harbinger.”

NHTSA complaint #11571966, filed 2024-02

“While entering a business park's parking lot, my vehicle suddenly and immediately stopped all forward movement. I was thrown against the steering wheel, injuring the right side of my chest and scraping the skin off my right forearm which was covered with the sleeve of my shirt. I was dazed, had no idea what happened, and thought that I had hit something but yet no airbags had deployed. When the vehicle stopped it was near a light post which I assumed I had hit. Upon exiting the vehicle I noticed the front tire was blown and the wheel was sitting on the ground at an odd angle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11435470, filed 2021-10

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025110%
202321%
202210%
202192%
202062%
201982%
2018104%
201741%
201665%
20152513%
201443%
20134622%
20124625%
20113419%
20102110%
2009118%
20084010%
200765%
2006166%
20052612%
20043512%
200362%
200210%
200111%

Other parts of the 2019 Toyota Highlander

Transmission and drivetrain
213 complaints
Fuel system
109 complaints
Other or unknown
83 complaints
Engine
71 complaints
Electrical system
56 complaints
Brakes
20 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Vehicle speed control
13 complaints
Body and structure
12 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
11 complaints
Seat belts
6 complaints
Seats
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2019 Toyota Highlander

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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