2015 Toyota Highlander Steering

[XXX] battery light appeared on dash. [XXX] on my way to Limestone service station 399 Danbury rd Ridgefield ct ph203-438-8028 a warning appeared on dash stating i will lose steering.Luckily I managed to pull into a parking lot and lost all ability to steer. Thank God i was not on the highway and was not in a catastrophic accident.The dashboard went blank. The engine stayed on as I called Limestone and was told I needed to be towed..As I was calling Allstate for a tow the dashboard came back on and so did the steering. I drove to Limestone. After checking everything I was told they didn't find any codes and there must be a glitch in the system. Battery good, alternator good, serpentine belt good. We also found a recall NHTSA campaign number15V144000 for unexpected loss of electric power steering increasing the risk of a crash for 2015 Toyota Highlander. Jan2 2026 i drove to Brookfield Ct Toyota and was informed by a very helpful service manager Katelyn Hadden that Unbelievably my Vin number was not included in this recall and to come back when it happens again I am a [XXX] grandfather who takes his grandchildren everywhere and will not put their lives in danger in this car until this problem is fixed. I was told by Limestone to stay local and come back when it happens again. I would sincerely appreciate any help in correcting this defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Driving the car was hard to steer. Check engine light came on and check speed sensor. Went to a mechanic and disconnected the battery, the sensor reset and back driving ok for about two weeks. This went on for a few weeks. Been a month now and it hasn't come on but it was dangerous due to driving and turning issues.

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering became firm. The steering wheel independently moved to the left and to the right. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

steering rack/box

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DRIFTED SAFELY OFF OF THE ROADWAY. THE IGNITION WAS CYCLED OFF AND ON; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. ADDITIONALLY, WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. WITH THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED SEIZED IN ONE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GALE TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 50 PALOMBA DR, ENFIELD, CT 06082, (860) 741-3761) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON APRIL 24. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AN INTERMITTENT SQUEAKING NOISE OCCURS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. I HAVE NOTICED THIS WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AS WELL AS ON LOCAL ROADS

IT IS HARD TO TURN WHEEL ON LOW SPEED. BOTH DIRECTIONS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A WINDING ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM MAINTAINING CONTROL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND LEG. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT NEEDED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL OR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,425.

THIS VEHICLE HAS SEVERE TORQUE STEER WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE VEHICLE PULLS HARD LEFT AND YOU HAVE TO FIGHT THE WHEEL TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS , ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE WAVED ASIDE - ONE TECH TOLD ME "ALL OUR FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS DO IT"

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING, SAY AT A STOP SIGN, ONE LOOSES CONTROL OF STEERING. THE CAR IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN GOING INTO PASSING GEAR. I FEAR THAT LOSING CONTROL IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY, EVEN THOUGH I DRIVE CONSERVATIVELY AND HAS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2014.

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AS IF POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. "EPS FAILURE, STEERING WHEEL HARDER TO TURN" WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH CLUSTER. WE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON -- THE WARNING DISAPPEARED AND STEERING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. OUR HIGHLANDER WAS MANUFACTURED IN 3/15. MY VIN WAS NOT IN THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000. TOYOTA REPLACED THE STEERING COMPUTER UNDER WARRANTY, AT NO CHARGE. I'M WRITING TO SUGGEST THE EXTENT OF CONDITION NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES.

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. SCHEDULED SERVICE ON VEHICLE FOR SATURDAY THE 22ND OF SEPTEMBER 2015, 0930. DOCUMENTATION INDICATED THE RECALL WOULD TAKE A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS TO COMPLETE. RECALL WAS FOR EPS ECU, URGENT SAFETY RECALL. AT ABOUT 1445, RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART AND MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE READY UNTIL THE PART WAS IN ON TUESDAY THE 25TH AND REPAIRS COMPLETED. WHY DID THEY NOT HAVE THE PART ON HAND AT THE DEALER IF THIS WAS AN URGENT RECALL? CALLED TOYOTA, REF # 1508221403 AND THEY INDICATED THEY ONLY SEND THE PART WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING THE REPAIR. THIS IS NOT "WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME" FOR AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. THE EPS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,040.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000(STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

A SAFETY RECALL ON A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHEN IS THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL ON MAY 12 ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER ON MAY 13, AND WAS TOLD LATER THAT DAY THAT MY CAR DID INDEED HAVE ONE OF THE UNITS DEEMED DEFECTIVE. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR AT NO CHARGE. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK, BUT NOW IT IS 10 DAYS LATER, AND NO REPLACEMENT PART HAS ARRIVED. NOT ONLY THAT BUT BOTH THE DEALER AND THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER ARE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO PREDICT WHEN ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. IS THERE ANY WAY TO MAKE TOYOTA MORE RESPONSIVE? IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET TOYOTA TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN QUESTION? WHAT CONSTITUTES A "REASONABLE TIME" FOR TOYOTA TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT?

I TOOK MY 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TO FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA IN RALEIGH FOR A RECALL ON THE CIRUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THEY FOUND THAT MY CAR CONTAINED THE DEFECCTIVE PART AND WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME AN ETA ON THE REPLACEMENT PART. THE DEALERSHIIP PROVIDED A CAMRY RENTAL CAR, NOT A COMPARABLE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE REASON I PURCHASED THE HIGHLANDER WAS BECUASE MY FAMILY NEED A LARGE SUV. I TRADED IN A CAR FOR AN SUV AND HAVE RECEIVED A CAR BACK FROM THEM. I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES FOR THE RENTAL CAR MANAGER AND HE HAS NOT RETURNED MY CALLS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATES THATT SEVERAL HIGHLANDERS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS PART FOR OVER A MONTH NOW, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT COULD BE OVER A MONTH BEFORE I GET MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE BACK (NO ONE CAN TELL ME), AND I'M STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT MEET MY FAMILIES DAILY NEEDS. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY HAVE OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE.

I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER FOR THE EPS ECU UNIT 5/13. INSPECTION WOULD TAKE 1.5 HOURS, REPLACEMENT 2.5 HOURS OR LONGER DEPENDING ON THE DEALER'S WORK SCHEDULE. THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPT AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS 5/20. ON 5/20 I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A MORNING APPOINTMENT AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART, WOULD KEEP MY VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD PROVIDE A LOANER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON 5/27 FOR AN UPDATE. WAS TOLD THE PART DID NOT ARRIVE BUT IT WAS EXPECTED THE NEXT DAY. THEY WOULD CALL WITH AN UPDATE ON 5/28. NO CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON 5/28 SO I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER (CEC) AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. ON 6/1, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PART STILL HAD NOT ARRIVED BUT HAD BEEN SHIPPED. I CALLED MY CEC REP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DELAY. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE LAST MONTH AND THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ARRIVING SOMETIME DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE. I ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION OF THE INFORMATION DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE LETTER, TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP ON THE PART AVAILABILITY FOR THIS RECALL . I ALSO ASKED WHAT TOYOTA'S DEFINITION OF A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME WAS FOR ADDRESSING THIS RECALL AND MY REP WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER SUGGESTING THAT THE TIME VARIED BY STATE. DAY 13 HAS PASSED AND NEITHER MY DEALERSHIP NOR TOYOTA SEEM HAVE A CLUE WHEN THIS WILL BE RESOLVED. IN ADDITION, BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA WERE INFORMED DURING OUR INITAL CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAVE A CROSS-COUNTRY RELOCATION SCHEDULED FOR 6/8. MY REP SAID SHE WOULD CALL ME ON JUNE 4 TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE PROGRESSING. WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE IN THE RECALL LETTER THIS WAS LESS THAN A ONE DAY PROJECT WHEN INDEED THERE IS AND HAS BEEN A SERIOUS SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEM. HONESTY FROM TOYOTA ON DAY ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE.