| Issue ID | 1261707 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10826157 |
| Manufacurer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Brand | TOYOTA |
| Model | HIGHLANDER |
| Model Year | 2013 |
| File date | 08/02/16 |
| Component | STEERING |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | Toyota 2013 highlander with 31237 miles had to replace the steering shaft due to thud-thud noise when turning right or left. I bought car new from dealership. Car still under warranty but was told it will probably happen again. Parts and labor estimated to be $500+ each time in the future. According to information on internet this is not a random issue with highlanders and has been going on for some time. This appears to be a design flaw that is being ignored with the owner being required to foot the bill. Never had a steering shaft issue in the cars i have previously owned some for over 100,000 miles, u. S. Made or non-u. S. Made models. The new part is guaranteed for one year... That is not acceptable for a known reoccurring issue of which toyota is aware . I called toyota national customer relations in torrance, ca and spoke with representative who was very polite but offered no recourse for this issue. Very disappointed. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 31237 |
| Number of Occurences | |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA |
| VIN pattern | 5TDZK3EH7DSXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | N |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 0 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |