Vehicle Data Hub

2004 Toyota Highlander steering problems

Owners reported steering problems in 36 complaints for the 2004 Toyota Highlander, 11% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
36 11% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
48,000 miles 30 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
1 and 0
Injuries and deaths
1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When steering problems show up

Steering complaints by mileage, 2004 Toyota Highlander Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 48,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 4 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 6 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 11 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 1 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 4 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 1 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 1 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 1 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 1 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 48,000 miles
Based on 30 complaints that include mileage. 70% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles4
20k to 40k miles6
40k to 60k miles11
60k to 80k miles1
80k to 100k miles4
100k to 120k miles1
120k to 140k miles1
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles1
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles1

What the data shows

Of the 30 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 48,000 miles, and 70% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

While traveling through a highway construction zone my car suddenly became hard to steer, and my speed became greater, tried to (break) decelerate the car began sliding out of control-plowing into the road construction barriers part lodged in front passenger windshield. The car went through the ditch became airborne through a rod iron fence shattered the rear second-row right side window spun out , and came to rest just feet from the some pileings.

Reported at 250,000 miles, September 2020 CrashInjury

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the battery indicator light illuminated and the power steering failed suddenly. The contact had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN provided was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Reported at 90,000 miles, December 2014

Other problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Highlander

Steering problems in other years

Steering problems across all Toyota models