Highlander 2011 steering problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

yguschin · 03-22-2011, 02:05 PM

New Highlander Limited 2011. Got it 3 weeks ago. Steering feels overly -- and irregularly -- heavy when you
turn the wheel. Sometimes is is harder, some times not much, could not find a pattern.
Also I have to turn the steering wheel quite a lot to
make just a small change in the driving direction, especially at slow
speed. I have to turn it about 30 degrees to one direction and back
about the same after the Highlander had changed its heading for a few degrees.
Went to dealership, they say it is how it should be with the new
electrical power assisted steering. The driving experience is just terrible.
Anybody experiences this problem and feels the same about the steering?

***05Moose*** · 03-22-2011, 03:05 PM

I agree that it feels terrible, but I was willing to live with it that way (we rented one awhile back while our '05 was being repaired). The things I don't like is the dry-bearing noise when you turn it fast after backing out of a parking spot, and the feeling when you come out of a turn in that it doesn't seem to straighten out smoothly (it feels as if there's a point where it wants to stay in a turn which is probably why so many say that it isn't a "fun" vehicle to drive.). But I have to agree that it's normal (just one of the downsides to electric steering maybe?). And realize too that how much you have to turn the wheel for a given degree in turning is dependent upon the size of the steering wheel too. The larger the wheel, the more it feels like you have to turn it further. But having driven Toyotas forever, the amount of turning the steering wheel for a given turn feels completely normal to me.

***summerwind*** · 03-22-2011, 05:23 PM

First of all you need to be aware that the steering is Electronic Power Steering
http://sumbiz03.home.comcast.net/%7Esumbiz03/steer.pdf

Second there have been problems with the intermittent shaft in the past on Toyota's. You usually hear a clunk

My recommendation would be to go back to your dealer and drive another HL. If it steers differently then it is a service department issue.

If it steers the same it is the nature of the beast

yguschin · 03-22-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05Moose

I agree that it feels terrible, but I was willing to live with it that way (we rented one awhile back while our '05 was being repaired). The things I don't like is the dry-bearing noise when you turn it fast after backing out of a parking spot, and the feeling when you come out of a turn in that it doesn't seem to straighten out smoothly (it feels as if there's a point where it wants to stay in a turn which is probably why so many say that it isn't a "fun" vehicle to drive.). But I have to agree that it's normal (just one of the downsides to electric steering maybe?). And realize too that how much you have to turn the wheel for a given degree in turning is dependent upon the size of the steering wheel too. The larger the wheel, the more it feels like you have to turn it further. But having driven Toyotas forever, the amount of turning the steering wheel for a given turn feels completely normal to me.

Hi, I went to the Toyota service today and drove a car together with their tech. He says I am not the only one complaining, but nothing can be done. There are no parameters to adjust and if there was something wrong I would get a warning light. His advise was to get used to it. My previous car was RAV4 Limited, build in Japan, now I have started to regret that I gave it to my daughter. The steering in the RAV4 was excellent.
The Toyota service also looked at the toe-in and said it was off spec. After the adjustment the HL became a bit lighter on turns, but still far from what I would like it to be. I owned may be 10 cars in my life, not one of them was so unpleasant to drive.
I called the Toyota Canada head office. Their reply was predictable: The car was build according to the manufacturer specifications. If there is a fault, it will be repaired.
I did ask the dealer how much it will cost me to return the car, they wanted $9200. My HL still has only 700 km. Will probably have to get used to it for now.

yguschin · 03-22-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summerwind

First of all you need to be aware that the steering is Electronic Power Steering
http://sumbiz03.home.comcast.net/%7Esumbiz03/steer.pdf

Second there have been problems with the intermittent shaft in the past on Toyota's. You usually hear a clunk

My recommendation would be to go back to your dealer and drive another HL. If it steers differently then it is a service department issue.
If it steers the same it is the nature of the beast

Hi. Thanks for the technical info. It is always good to know how things work. I did try another HL, it feels the same. A tech from Toyota says I am not the only one complaining, so this is how it was designed to be.
I think the steering can be improved just by updating software in the control module.

lets456 · 03-23-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yguschin

Hi, I went to the Toyota service today and drove a car together with their tech. He says I am not the only one complaining, but nothing can be done. There are no parameters to adjust and if there was something wrong I would get a warning light. His advise was to get used to it. My previous car was RAV4 Limited, build in Japan, now I have started to regret that I gave it to my daughter. The steering in the RAV4 was excellent.
The Toyota service also looked at the toe-in and said it was off spec. After the adjustment the HL became a bit lighter on turns, but still far from what I would like it to be. I owned may be 10 cars in my life, not one of them was so unpleasant to drive.
I called the Toyota Canada head office. Their reply was predictable: The car was build according to the manufacturer specifications. If there is a fault, it will be repaired.
I did ask the dealer how much it will cost me to return the car, they wanted $9200. My HL still has only 700 km. Will probably have to get used to it for now.

I never noticed this on my 2008... is this 2011 models only?

craftydad · 03-23-2011, 03:46 PM

I had an 08 and now an 11. The steering on the 11 does seem slightly more difficult to turn, but not by much. Also, I don't see any of the 30deg motion mentioned above. I'll take it out for a spin after work today and note how much wheel turning is needed for a slight turn in direction... but if it was a lot more than my Sienna (non electrical steering), I'd of noticed it right away.

BTW they seem to have really cut back on what can be customized via a computer setting on the 11. ie. I had the driver seal belt warning alarm turned off on the 08. Thats no longer an option. I didn't compare everything, but the list in my 11 book is a lot shorter than I remember with the 08.

yguschin · 03-23-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftydad

I had an 08 and now an 11. The steering on the 11 does seem slightly more difficult to turn, but not by much. Also, I don't see any of the 30deg motion mentioned above. I'll take it out for a spin after work today and note how much wheel turning is needed for a slight turn in direction... but if it was a lot more than my Sienna (non electrical steering), I'd of noticed it right away.

BTW they seem to have really cut back on what can be customized via a computer setting on the 11. ie. I had the driver seal belt warning alarm turned off on the 08. Thats no longer an option. I didn't compare everything, but the list in my 11 book is a lot shorter than I remember with the 08.

Please try it at slow speed. In my HL the steering is a bit like on a sail boat. You have to predict movement and steer with forestalling.

MikeyD25 · 03-23-2011, 06:36 PM

Two questions...are all the H/L's exhibiting the steering difficulty in this thread 2011 Limited models?

If so, has anyone tried test driving a 2011 SE or Base model to see if there is/was a difference?

It might come down to 17" rims vs 19" rims when all is said and done!

MD

jus_crzn · 03-23-2011, 09:51 PM

I went from an 07 sti to a 2011 highlander, the steering feels ok to me. If anything maybe a little sensitive. It sure dosn't feel like driving a boat. Just out of curiosity did you people test drive this thing before you bought it? I went and drove four of them before making my decision and alot of other cars also.

yguschin · 03-23-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyD25

Two questions...are all the H/L's exhibiting the steering difficulty in this thread 2011 Limited models?

If so, has anyone tried test driving a 2011 SE or Base model to see if there is/was a difference?

It might come down to 17" rims vs 19" rims when all is said and done!

MD

This is a very good question. Also the tires on my HL are Toyo A20 245/55R19. I have checked Michelin, they do not have this size. It would be interesting to see if it will be better with the Michelin

yguschin · 03-23-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jus_crzn

I went from an 07 sti to a 2011 highlander, the steering feels ok to me. If anything maybe a little sensitive. It sure dosn't feel like driving a boat. Just out of curiosity did you people test drive this thing before you bought it? I went and drove four of them before making my decision and alot of other cars also.

For this I am guilty. Did only 2 short test drives with the dealer sitting next to me and distracting.

***TrailDust*** · 03-23-2011, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jus_crzn

the steering feels ok to me. If anything maybe a little sensitive. It sure dosn't feel like driving a boat.

Ditto.

jgayman · 03-24-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyD25

Two questions...are all the H/L's exhibiting the steering difficulty in this thread 2011 Limited models?

If so, has anyone tried test driving a 2011 SE or Base model to see if there is/was a difference?

It might come down to 17" rims vs 19" rims when all is said and done!

MD

I have not driven a Limited but I have put a little over 500 miles on my '11 SE so far and my steering is smooth as silk. My only basis for comparison is the '01 HL Limited I was driving previously, the Accord I had before that and various loaner and rental vehicles.

I had originally planned to purchase another Limited but was turned off by the 19" wheels and limited tire choices. What was Toyota thinking? Even the Lexus RX comes with the more common 18" wheels.

I live in PA and you can rest assured that the goofy Toyo's my vehicle came with will be replaced with a set of Michelin LTX before next winter gets here. :-)

jus_crzn · 03-24-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yguschin

For this I am guilty. Did only 2 short test drives with the dealer sitting next to me and distracting.

I realy hate it when dealers distract the customers on test drives. Its the most important time in purchasing a car. I am a little over kill when it comes to buying cars. I need a minimun 1/2 drive that includes the highway. I try not to take the dealer with me and go for longer. If you have a wife/girlfriend use them to distract the dealer, and drive the thing like you stole it. I personaly grany drive my HL but atleast I know what it can and can't do.