# Toyota Highlander power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 35 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (11) - **Related recalls:** 3 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 35 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Toyota Highlander (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (11). There are **3 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Toyota Highlander power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 11 | 197 | 6% | | 2016 | 2 | 117 | 2% | | 2017 | 6 | 275 | 2% | | 2018 | 1 | 279 | 0% | | 2019 | 4 | 514 | 1% | | 2020 | 4 | 332 | 1% | | 2021 | 5 | 550 | 1% | | 2023 | 2 | 198 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Toyota Highlander recalls related to the power steering warning light **[25V040000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V040000)** (2023 models, reported 2025-01-29): A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. **[23V480000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V480000)** (2023 models, reported 2023-07-12): A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. **[15V144000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=15V144000)** (2015 models, reported 2015-03-13): An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Toyota Highlander owners report - "Also have issues with the steering assist that it yanks the wheel intermittantly. This cause me to loose control on the wet interstate in a turn when it yanked the wheel to the right while banking left at 65mph. I panicked and pulled the wheel back which cause a skid. The system has been turned off since. Toyota is..." -- owner of a 2023 Toyota Highlander, complaint filed 2023 - "The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle lane sensor and steering assist sensor were performing as intended. The contact was concerned that the sensor should be adjusted so that the sensor would not have to adjust so easily while the contact was driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was..." -- owner of a 2021 Toyota Highlander, complaint filed 2021 - "With the engine turned off there was no power steering, no brakes, and no way to unlock the steering wheel. The collision caused my car to bounce back and slowly free roll back to the stop sign as though I never entered the roadway." -- owner of a 2020 Toyota Highlander, complaint filed 2021 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Toyota Highlander power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 3 related recalls (25V040000, 23V480000, 15V144000) covering 2015-2023 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Toyota Highlander years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2021 Highlander model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 11 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Toyota Highlander with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Toyota dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Toyota Highlander warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-highlander): 15 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/toyota-highlander): 24 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/toyota-highlander): 72 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/toyota-highlander): 150 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/toyota-highlander): 13 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/toyota-highlander): 32 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Toyota Highlander - [Toyota Highlander specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/toyota-highlander) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/toyota-highlander Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.