This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Steering has developed a clunk at low speeds. Appears intermediate shaft is bad. Dealer wants over 500 to replace. Online it is a very common problem. The steering shaft goes bad..how much more dangerous can you get?
A winter storm hit my area and I needed to engage my four wheel drive, the four wheel drive wouldn't engage. The indicator light on the dash would only flash. My truck only went a short distance before getting stuck on the road leaving me stranded.
I've noticed my steering became very hard and stiff all of a sudden. I've checked the power steering pump and fluid, it all checked out fine. I did a little research and noticed people having issues with steering intermediate shaft no 2. (lower one by the wheels). I noticed that part was not protected by anything and is and was exposed to the elements like salt, water, dirt etc. Overtime, the U-joint rusts up and starts to stick causing very dangerous conditions for the driver where it becomes very hard to turn the steering wheel when turning. I've attached a photo of my part in question. My Toyota dealership wants $700 for parts and labor. That is outrageous.
This truck has 12 years and 62,000 miles on it. I was making a U-turn last week, and when I finished the turn I heard the noise of something breaking. Then a clanking noise of metal on metal started to sound from under the steering column while turning the wheel and running over bumps. I also noticed excessive play on the turn of the steering wheel and vibration when driving above 50mph. I am a licensed auto tech and between the noise and the play determined that the truck was not safe to drive. I proceeded to diagnose the problem and found out that the mid steering shaft was worn out. The part connects the lower section of the steering column thru the firewall in the engine compartment to reach the rack and pinion assembly. The failed part is composed of two small shafts joined together by a rubber disk that acts as a damper. The shafts have a small metal base and in the section of the steering column it has a small U-joint. The small bases connect in two places at right angles to the rubber disk but the lower small shaft goes thru the center of the rubber disk and thru the center of base of the small U joint. At that point there is a plastic bushing that fills the gap between the two metals. That bushing broke and is the cause of the play and noise along a deteriorated rubber disk (see photos). This part has deteriorated over time and the rubber and plastic have degraded. I replaced the part but it has the same design and will fail again in the future. Many people fix the problem by filling the gap with zip ties as I found out searching the web. My main concern is that two pieces of the part are hold together by a rubber disk that deteriorates over time and if it breaks, the driver can loose directional control of the vehicle causing an accident. Also due to the high cost of repair, many people make mods to make the part work creating more hazards.
The intermediate steering shaft U joint rusts and causes the steering to stiffen unexpectedly. I know there are technical service bulletins put out by Toyota, it is disappointing that automobile company's are not held accountable by the NHTSA, since this is a safety issue.
Steering is very hard to steer dealer wants $600 to fix a steering shaft I don't think its right should be a re call on this truck before some one gets killed.
I own a 2007 Toyota Tacoma. It's frame has been inspected by my local Toyota dealer (hertrich) three separate times for rust to the frame. It received a rust inhibitor coating on 1/16/15. It was inspected again on 12/21/17 and 1/3/19. During the 1/3/19 inspection, the dealer conducted a multi-point inspection. My truck's steering components and steering linkage were inspected. It received a green check by the dealer, the highest rating. On 2/7/19, just one month after the inspection, my power steering failed while I was driving. I was able to make it safely to my local mechanic. My truck's rack and pinion steering system had heavy corrosion, and most of the power steering fluid had leaked. My mechanic replaced the rack and pinion steering system. It was heavily corroded. My mechanic said he had never seen one this corroded. Please see attached photographs of my corroded power steering rack. Toyota has refused to apply a second coat of the rust inhibitor to my truck's frame, even though I have new rust coming through the previous treatment. Now, rust and corrosion to my power steering rack, exactly where it attaches to the truck frame, had massive corrosion, causing a total failure of the power steering system. I have checked Toyota forums, and this problem is common with other Toyota Tacoma owners. Please force Toyota to properly address the corrosion issues with it's Tacoma trucks. The rust inhibitor that was applied to my truck's frame in January of 2015 has failed. The truck's frame, and components attached to the frame, continue to rust and corrode, causing danger to me, my family, and other motorists. Thank you for your attention in this matter.
I have had issues with the steering being incredibly too stiff. There is no return once the steering wheel has reached past 3 O'clock or 9 O'clock on the wheel. I have done some research and it looks like the intermediate steering shaft is the issue and has been commonly reported. I do not understand why this has not been recalled as the steering is incredibly difficult to turn and can cause serious problems with being able to control the vehicle. If the part is faulty that was installed, why has this not been brought up as a warranty recall. This is incredibly frustrating that this could be a seriously detrimental issue that has not been addressed.
Steering became progressively harder to turn over a period of many weeks. It was ok with highway speeds and straightaways with little steering correction. It was very hard when all types of normal turns were executed at any speed and after warm up. It turned out Toyota, by comment of the repairing mechanic, who had done many, has had an issue with corrosion of the steering column linkage. I have never received any info regarding this. I thought it was power steering and that I could muscle through it for a while. It became worse fast. Based on a false assumption which many might make, this could have easily locked up and caused a crash. I have been around long enough and have never encountered this in the many vehicles I have owned. I feel that Toyota should at East put out cautionary info to owners
I have a problem with the steering becoming stiff at times when turning the wheels either right or left. I took it in and I was told that they lubricated the universal joint; however, that did not rectify the problem. I've had the power steering pump replaced; but, this problem isn't the same as what was happening the the pump needed replacement.
Steering is very stiff. Turning left and right. Need 2 hands to turn and return to center. This is the 3rd time. 1st time it just went away and came back and went away. Now it's back. Afraid to drive it after reading some of the minor crashes associated with this issue.
Steering had intermittent problems. One day it was fine and the next felt like there was no power steering. After turning a corner, the steering wheel would not return to the center position without considerable force and only after hitting the curb. It turned out that the lower intermediate shaft of the steering assembly had a U-joint that seized and was close to breaking off before I could get it replaced.
Last week I noticed tightness in the steering of my 07 Toyota Tacoma intermittently. It progressively worsened and at times would be very "jerky". yesterday it was tight nearly my entire way to work. I called and made an appointment to have it checked. On my way to the repair shop, as I was turning out of a parking lot, the truck started to turn fine but all of a sudden got very stiff and jerked. I wasn't expecting it and almost hit a mailbox. The quote for my repair, which includes a lower steering shaft, coupler, bolts and required alignment, is $820. As I was looking online to make sure that this was a legitimate pricing quote, I noticed that this seems to be an issue with the Toyota Tacoma between the years of 005-2014. This is a definite safety issue and needs to have a recall issued.
Lower steering shaft 4520304021 seized. Repair cost is significant $400 plus. I don't believe this item is a normal maintenance item like brakes or belts. Not to mention if it seizes while driving could cause a major accident or fatality. Mine has not seized but is causing much harder than normal steering effort. There is no warning prior to it seizing. Please advise.
Steering is tight while turning then good then tight it's getting worse, I replaced power steering unit wasnt that, and front bearings. In motion and when turning
Stiff steering caused minor collision into snow bank while driving at slow speed on city street. Many complaints/accounts on forums relating to this issue
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 70 mph, the steering failed without warning. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger steering knuckle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, but was in the process. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted or made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Steering seized, later determined to be a severely corroded intermediate steering shaft U joint. Was turning a corner at the time and was able to gain control of the vehicle. Later learned through online research this is a common occurrence with this vehicle. Dealer tried to lubricate. But later replaced the shaft as the joint continued to bind.
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- Kailua, HI, USA