NHTSA Complaint #10263143 — 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

STEERING issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	10263143
Vehicle	2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
Component	STEERING
Date of Incident	March 24, 2009
Date Filed	March 26, 2009
Mileage	59,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	FL

Consumer Description

I NOTICED A LOOSENESS & CLICKING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHILE EITHER PARKED OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC I USE DIAGNOSED IT AS A WORN RACK & PINION (R&P) GEAR WHERE IT MEETS THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY '05 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 WITH 60K MILES. I BROUGHT CAR TO KING TOYOTA IN DEERFIELD BEACH, FL AND THEY SAID THERE IS A TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM WHICH DISASSEMBLES & LUBRICATES THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY SAID IF THAT DOESN'T FIX PROBLEM THEN THEY WOULD CHANGE THE R & P ASSEMBLY. AS A FORMER AIRLINE MAINTENANCE PLANNER I DON'T KNOW HOW A LUBE WOULD FIX NOISE & LOOSENESS IN A STEERING ASSEMBLY...IT FELT LIKE A WORN PART. IF TRUE, WHY DID THE STEERING COLUMN LOSE ITS LUBE AFTER ONLY 60K MILES.. WAS THE LUBE MISSING FROM NEW & THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE WEAR...IF IT WAS LUBED WAS IT A DEFECTIVE SEAL. IS THE LUBE A STOP GAP WAY TO DELAY A RECALL? MY MECHANIC SAID & MY OWN EXPERIENCE TELLS ME SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT...THIS IS A STEERING & POSSIBLE VEHICLE CONTROL ISSUE. MOST OF MY DRIVING IS HIGHWAY ABOVE 40-70MPH, SO I WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE MY FAMILY & MY LIFE ARE AT STAKE. *TR

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