Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I have never had a car in which a part of the steering column"wore out" until this past February. During February I had to replace the intermediate shaft on my 2005 Camry le [xxx]; this car only had 44,950 miles on it when I noticed the problem (February 12, 2010). On Feb, 25, I brought the car to lexington Toyota, (MA 781-861-7400) and was told that there was no problem. I had to go in again the next day and physically sit next to the mechanic while he drove the car before he recognized a problem with the shaft. However, ironically, when I went back into the service department I was then told by the service manager that these 'intermediate shafts wear out all the time' if this is the case why didn't you issue a recall"?" I had to pay out of pocket $428.14 to replace this part. (a few day later my 1999 Camry developed an intermittent tightness, or very stiff steering wheel between 11' O'clock and the 2-3 O'clock positions in the steering wheel, the VIN number on this car is [xxx]; I'm still waiting to decide how or what to do to repair this problem that seriously effects the safe drive ability of the car.) like I stated, I have never had to replace a steering column on any other car I've owned, and I have owned many cars with over three even four times this mileage. I understand that your warranty only lasts 36,000 miles or 5 years, which ever comes first, but this is ridiculous; I think that you either didn't engineer the part properly or designed in to fail in order to get the replacement business; either case it ranges from negligent to criminally fraudulent. I just googled Camry intermediate shaft" complaints and got over 17,000 hits. Do you think that's too many? I don't think that Toyota needs any more bad publicity, but perhaps another story of Toyota's irresponsibility is justified. Why would the service manager, bruce, claim that they replace these ?intermediate shafts, all the time""

- Winchester, MA, USA

Ltr fwd fm (wi) re Toyota service bulletin re intermediate steering shaft fm owner of a 2005 Toyota Camry, please respond directly to constituent & fwd response to DC ofc. The consumer stated a tsb had been issued regarding the intermediate steering shaft. As a cost effective fix, the shaft was being greased and not replaced.

- Jefferson, WI, USA

My 2005 Toyota Camry sometimes has all of the sudden diverted hard to the right. I had the car checked many times at longo Toyota in los angeles but I was told nothing found. In fact, the problem exists for a few years that makes me drive my car anxiously. Recently, many problems have been found on Toyota vehicles and I request NHTSA should have an investigation. VIN: [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. The contact was driving approximately 25mph and the vehicle surged forward. The contact depressed the brake while slowing down to complete a turn. The dealer was informed and they inspected the vehicle. The dealer did repair the vehicle but never informed the contact of what the failure was. The vehicle has not experienced any other failures since then. The approximate failure mileage was 55000 and the current mileage was 60000. The consumer also stated the vehicle had a steering problem and it would cost $500 to repair. Updated 03/22/10.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) during the years 2006-2007-2008 I leased and drove a 2005 Toyota Camry le. Shortly after I got the car I noticed the vehicle pulled to the right and I felt as though I had no control during speeds of 50 mph or over. When I reported this to the service dept of my local Toyota dealer during visits for oil changes, they took the car out, test drove it and told me they saw nothing wrong with the car. I was convinced there was something wrong with this vehicle, but no one believed me. I have since turned in the Camry at the end of the lease date and was very happy to do so. I have spoken with Toyota and relayed the above info recently. My concern is that something could be wrong with the Camry and that someone else might be driving it. I asked Toyota if they could find out who owns this vehicle and they should be alerted. I never had an accident; I only always felt scared to drive this vehicle on any major highway that would require me to travel at speeds higher than 50 mph. Hopefully someone could find out where this car is now. VIN# [xxx].

- Johnstown, NY, USA

Numerous occasions of unexplained acceleration and were reported to Toyota who reported could not find a problem. Numerous occasions of braking problems and were reported to Toyota who reported could not find a problem. Numerous occasions of steering problems and were reported to Toyota who reported could not find a problem. Numerous occasions of transmission problems and were reported to Toyota who reported could not find a problem. Vehicle was returned to Toyota under ca lemon law in 2006 or 2007.

- Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Steering started clucking at about 40,000 miles. Seems to be slowly getting more pronounced.

- Prior Lake, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. He stated that at 32,000 miles the steering wheel began making a loud noise when he made a left turn. He also noticed that the left tire malfunctioned when the failure occurred. The dealers diagnosis indicated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The estimated repair cost was $500. The current mileage was 50,000. Updated 04/05/10 the consumer stated the left wheel would wobble on sharp left turns. The intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. Updated 09/02/10

- South Webster, OH, USA

I got into my 05 Toyota Camry 4cyl and as I backed out of my driveway I noticed a serious problem with the steering. I turned the steering wheel to the right rather sharply and the car remained traveling straight. I pulled back into the driveway and tried again - the same thing happened. I was afraid to drive the car so I had it towed to the Toyota dealership. They checked it for the better part of the day and said they could find nothing wrong and could not get it to repeat the problem. Since then I have had a few minor incidents of the car not turning to the degree that it should when I turn the wheel. I have had it checked an no one can find anything wrong. I no longer feel safe in my car.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Subject:2005 Camry le steering shaft problem I wanted to find out whether there's been any consumer complaints or problems reported in regards to a clunking, popping or knocking noise reported in Toyota's 2003-2006 Camry's and the 2004-2006 Solara's steering columns when turning the steering wheel left or right, or going over bumps in the road. My 2005 Camry le began experiencing this problem back in early 2008 and it is progressively getting worse. I took my car into my mechanic at harbor auto center in costa mesa, ca about a year 1/2 ago to get the problem checked. (I don't trust Toyota dealership repair service or their prices). Upon further investigation he was able to discover what the problem was and even found a Toyota technical sevice bulletin titled "steering intermediate shaft noise", reference # ST001-06, date of issue 2/16/06 that outlined the exact problem with my steering column. I then called the Toyota dealership in san juan capistrano where I had purchased the vehicle, but since my car was past the 72,000 mile extended warranty and this was not a recall item, they would have to charge me. Obviously Toyota corporation is very aware that there is a mechanical problem with the steering shaft on these two makes & models, since even the dealership was aware of the service bulleton. Even though my mechanic thought my car was probably ok to drive, I am very concerned, because the clunking noise is getting more pronouced the longer I drive the car, especially when I turn the wheel, go over speed bumps or brake and turn. I'm not sure what recourse I have to get this fixed, but with all the current problems Toyota is experiencing, it makes me very concerned about the dependability of my own car. From NHTSA web site.

- Irvine, CA, USA

When backing up, driving at slow speeds, and turning the steering wheel, a clicking or dull can be felt through the steering wheel. This occurrence is regular. At first this was experienced 36K miles, at that time repair was done under the waranty. Unclear if the part was replaced or repaired. Now same occured at 72K miles, when brought to the dealer's attention, the mechanic stated that it was normal and no pepairs needed to be done

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

When backing up, driving at slow speeds, and turning the steering wheel, a clicking or dull clunk can be felt through the steering wheel. This occurrence is regular. Numerous online complaints have been submitted to the Toyota vehicle forums and Toyota has issued a tsb #ST001-06 dated February 16, 2006 for the replacement of the steering intermediate shaft as the corrective action. However, because of the numerous online forum complaints of this particular issue, there is a trend developing for vehicles that have more than 40,000 miles. Failure of the shaft is a safety issue.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Intermediate shaft (steering) on 2005 Toyota Camry. Car has only 36K and "clunking noise. Only real fix is to replace shaft. Started to read online and found that this is a very frequent occurrence in this model/year. In short, the part appears to be defective and the possibility for steering failure is present. No injuries to report; however, the potential for steering failure is present. Asking that NHTSA look into this matter to prevent potential disaster.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Clunk in steering wheel had to replace intermediate steering shaft at 41,000 miles started the noise at 36,000. There are several Toyota service bulletins on this issue and numerous customer complaints. Toyota refuses to extend the warranty or notify the consumer of the problem.

- Huron, OH, USA

I am hearing a knocking sound coming from my steering wheel. I only have 45,000 miles on my car. I took my car into the dealership today they told me that my steering column is loose and that it needs to be replaced asap; with the cost of $500 dollars. After checking online I see that there is so many other people with the same problem/complaint. They also have a Toyota Camry. I taken my car into the dealership previous with complaints, of course before my warranty went out and told them that I felt like my car was pulling and was steering weird. They told me nothing was wrong with my car and that it was normal. Well I'm sure it wasn't normal, and now I don't have a warranty on my car. This needs to be recalled! look at all the complaints online! this is ridiculous. Thank you for your time, shelby durfee

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

Impending failure of intermediate steering shaft universal joints that currently causes 'clunks' in steering but is progressing and could cause failure of steering shaft and loss of directional control of vehicle or binding or locking of steering assembly. Toyota has a voluntary program to replace faulty design, but only extends that during the original 3/36 warranty. This is a safety issue and thus far Toyota is of little or no help. Anecdotally, this is a very common problem in this series of cars and several other lines of Toyota of similar vintage.

- Shawnee, KS, USA

I have had this car 2 years.. the steering column (shaft to the wheel) vibrates at times while on the highway. Occasionally, when going over certain or different sections of the road... it is like a rattle vibration. It is not constant but is this normal"? is it a defect?? should it vibrate at all??" the consumer felt the dealer should have informed him about the acceleration problems with the vehicle before he purchased it. Updated 03/12/10

- Glendora, NJ, USA

The steering on my Toyota Camry le 2005 makes a persistent clunking noise. We have not hand any injuries but are scared to take this car on the road especially long distances. The tires wear out quicker and the alignments do not last.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

Purchased new 2005 Camry SE. Immediately reported problems with severe pulling to the left (across lanes if not holding steering wheel firmly.) also, complained of intermittent hard shifts between 20 and 40 mph. As if someone had hit the car from rear. This causes a broad period of uncontrolled acceleration as the downshift occurs and the revs increase. The tires also wore out after 8,000 due to pull. Took to numerous repair facilities and they all said the alignment was fine. I was never contacted about Toyota service bulletins. Car now has 40,000 miles. Dealer says out of warranty and tsbs are only good for one year. Applicable tsbs are: St005R-01, TC003-05, and st002R-04. Otherwise love car. Have had over 12 Toyota and this is first with a problem.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

The steering of the car was slightly bumpy, was not evident in the beginning. After few months or so or close to 42K miles the steering began to make some bumpy noises. Was not aware of the defective intermediate shaft that was supposed to be replaced under warranty. Was never notified by dealer even during my visits to them when it was under warranty. Recently took the car to the dealer and they informed that I will have to change the intermediate shaft for $500+.

- West Nyack, NY, USA