2018 Toyota Highlander Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to turn left or right, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. The contact waited for several minutes before being able to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The failure had occurred several times and had become more persistent. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the body throttle, air control system, and battery sensor had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

At 11:15 AM, June 13, 2025 when I turn right at intersection, my steering wheel suddenly became hard (could not turn). My car nearly hit median in my left hand when the steering wheel back to normal. So I could steer my car avoid accident. This is first time I encountered problem like this. Everything is normal right now. No warning or everything popped up on display.

Driving along [XXX] in Alabama to Mississippi, the Highlander completely shut off - the dash & radio were blank. The steering wheel locked up. Luckily there was no vehicles behind or beside us when this happened. Within seconds, the truck came back on. 15 minutes prior, we were sitting in a parking lot to eat lunch & while in idle, the truck shuddered a few times, like the gas pedal was pressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Driving on I75 at 75mph, while trying to adjust the steering wheel, as soon I unlocked steering wheel lock and put the steering all the way to lowest position it just stalled on highway. Lucky enough I was alone and was able to pull over safely. There is seriously something wrong with steering wheel electrical or ignition system or something with else.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel inadvertently locked. The warning message "ETS Failure - Steering Will Be Harder to Steer" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated he forcefully steered the steering wheel and veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle and as he restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel was still significantly difficult to steer. The contact stated he was able to drive the vehicle to the nearest dealer, though the steering wheel was significantly difficult to steer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a computer system malfunction. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000. The VIN was not provided.

Upon turning on the vehicle the brake peddle locked and the steering wheel. Message prompted "braking power low, stop in safe place". After that all electronic features failed and vehicle did not turn on at all. Vehicle wouldn't even lock. Mine and my families safety was at risk due to the fact that this could have happened while the vehicle was in motion and all steering and braking abilities are lost. The vehicle is scheduled to be seen. No warning signs/lampsor other symptoms where present prior to the incident.

2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING INABILITY TO HAVE RECALL PERFORMED DUE TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. *LD *JS

STEERING WHEEL LEATHER IS PEELING AND CAUSING ISSUES WITH GRIP. HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD AND FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING OUR HIGHLANDER WITH 20K ON IT THAT TOYOTA CLAIMS IS COSMETIC ISSUE. TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS VERY BADLY GOING UP HILLS AND ALMOST STALLS OUT.

MY VEHICLE CANNOT BE ALIGNED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. ESPECIALLY ON WET ROADS. TOYOTA HAS HAD 5 PLUS ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THIS.VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY 2 TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS SPECIALIST. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. 48HRS AFTER IT WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THIS DEALERSHIP FOUND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TOE OUT SEVERELY. THEY CORRECTED THE MISALIGNMENT. AT LEAST ON PAPER THATS THE WAY IT LOOKED UNTIL ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THIS VEHICLE PULLED ME INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC.