Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering (18.2% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Steering complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 33 · 18.2% | not available | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 25 · 13.8% | not available | — |
| Electrical System | 20 · 11% | not available | — |
| Engine | 17 · 9.4% | not available | — |
| Power Train | 15 · 8.3% | not available | — |
| Structure:body | 15 · 8.3% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 181 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 2016 · reported 06/02/2016
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 2014 · reported 11/19/2014
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V689000 · 2015 · reported 10/22/2015
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 2013 · reported 01/16/2013
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · 2013 · reported 04/09/2013
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING AND POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT…”NHTSA complaint 11129875 — filed 09/17/2018 · STEERING
“DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH GENTLE TURNS AT 35MPH, POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE STRAIGHT UNTIL THERE WERE NO CARS DIRECTLY BEHIND…”NHTSA complaint 11129485 — filed 09/14/2018 · STEERING
“EVERY TIME I TURN MY WHEEL I HAVE A THUMPING SOUND (WORSE WHEN I AM TURNING RIGHT)”NHTSA complaint 11064888 — filed 01/25/2018 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 33 of 181 NHTSA complaints (18.2%), followed by visibility/wiper (25), electrical system (20), engine (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
181 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V396000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
