Your HL doesn't have the steering-by-wire setup like the BMW. The steering wheel has a completely physical connection all the way to the rack.
I'd still first suspect a spline joint that wasn't seated or tightened or has shallow/defective spline teeth due to manufacturing booboo. The forces on the splines and joints is MUCH higher on electric motor column assist than for rack electric assist or hydraulic assist.
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'08 Highlander Base with goodies
'02 Highlander V6
'01 Honda Civic
'93 Camry LE V6 (departed)
Some info to back up prior post suspicion that the intermediate shaft splines were damaged or stripped by the mechanic during the TSB or whatever reason you were there. Read this link. Different model, but similar problem.
So the conclusion is: It appears the technician (fall guy) did not assemble the mid shaft correctly leaving enough slop in the linkage for the splines to separate and let the wheel spin freely. This is the "weak" link in the steering assembly and is designed to disengage/collapse in a head-on to prevent the column from being pushed into the driver. The steering wheel re-engaged after I pushed on it loading it on the wrecker, thus making it work again. The dealer apologized profusely and thanked me for letting them "educate" their technicians with my vehicle! I really feel they owe me big time for this screw up. This was a nasty inconvenience and a pretty scary thing to have happen. Not sure what course of action is available to me. Thanks to all who chimed in on this issue. This is a great forum. I'll be back under better circumstances hopefully.
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Not sure what course of action is available to me.
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Let's see...
A) Free service for a year or three
B) Free fuel for a year or three
C) Free car washes & wax for a year or three
D) All of the above
Believe me, a REAL dealer is going to make it up to you because they really care. However, no dealer should want the very bad publicity that could go with a cluster like this. Maybe you can hint around at the above, and see where they stand.
__________________ 2012 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD, Blizzard Pearl (His)
2011 Toyota Avalon, Magnetic Grey Exterior (Hers)
2013 Winnebago Vista 35B Motorhome
A) Free service for a year or three
B) Free fuel for a year or three
C) Free car washes & wax for a year or three
D) All of the above
Believe me, a REAL dealer is going to make it up to you because they really care. However, no dealer should want the very bad publicity that could go with a cluster like this. Maybe you can hint around at the above, and see where they stand.
Disengaged steering................geezus!
I came here with much enthusiasm about our new Toyota. While the sales department was outstanding from beginning to end and the Service Advisors have been very helpful, the most important part of any service department is the work that's done and if it's done correctly. I'm beginning to lose faith in the Toyota techs and whether they really are sent to school to learn how to fix their iron piles and whether their ASE/Toyota paper diplomas are good for anything more than toilet paper.
Nice job Toyota, you're responsible for the actions of your dealerships. How many more idiots do you have working on Toyotas?
I came here with much enthusiasm about our new Toyota. While the sales department was outstanding from beginning to end and the Service Advisors have been very helpful, the most important part of any service department is the work that's done and if it's done correctly. I'm beginning to lose faith in the Toyota techs and whether they really are sent to school to learn how to fix their iron piles and whether their ASE/Toyota paper diplomas are good for anything more than toilet paper.
Nice job Toyota, you're responsible for the actions of your dealerships. How many more idiots do you have working on Toyotas?
There are a couple of old posts from those with inside knowledge who have confirmed pretty much what you have said. The good part is that most Toyotas have good track records, and therefore, do not normally require trips to the shop for anything outside of PM, and thus eliminating the unlearned tech.
EDIT: I found one of the posts that I was referring to when I made the statement above: 10k oil change?
__________________ 2012 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD, Blizzard Pearl (His)
2011 Toyota Avalon, Magnetic Grey Exterior (Hers)
2013 Winnebago Vista 35B Motorhome
Glad it got fixed. I would take their apology and move on. While I understand the gravity of the situation, I see no reason to press them for free stuff if they don't offer.
Glad it got fixed. I would take their apology and move on. While I understand the gravity of the situation, I see no reason to press them for free stuff if they don't offer.
I would loudly, but respectfully disagree with this...
- Car goes to shop to have steering shaft work performed.
- "Repaired" car malfunctions on owner due to incometence of repair work, FORTUNATELY in a low speed paking lot, and not on 65+ mph interstate or descending a very steep mountain.
- Shop has no idea of "what went wrong".
- Shop finally admits the problem was with their work.
To me, this is equal to medical malpractice... the life of my entire family was put in danger. While I may not ask to have my children put through college, I certainly would expect a peace offering as a good gesture in that the shop saw the gravity of its mistake.
__________________ 2012 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD, Blizzard Pearl (His)
2011 Toyota Avalon, Magnetic Grey Exterior (Hers)
2013 Winnebago Vista 35B Motorhome
I would loudly, but respectfully disagree with this...
- Car goes to shop to have steering shaft work performed.
- "Repaired" car malfunctions on owner due to incometence of repair work, FORTUNATELY in a low speed paking lot, and not on 65+ mph interstate or descending a very steep mountain.
- Shop has no idea of "what went wrong".
- Shop finally admits the problem was with their work.
To me, this is equal to medical malpractice... the life of my entire family was put in danger. While I may not ask to have my children put through college, I certainly would expect a peace offering as a good gesture in that the shop saw the gravity of its mistake.
+1. Thank God it happened on a parking lot. What if something terrible happened? Would they still be able to find out that it was the tech's fault? They would probably say it was a driver's error!
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I really feel they owe me big time for this screw up. This was a nasty inconvenience and a pretty scary thing to have happen. Not sure what course of action is available to me. Thanks to all who chimed in on this issue. This is a great forum. I'll be back under better circumstances hopefully.
You nailed it, dude.. 
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