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.
ODI #11516361 I bought this 2009 Toyota Tacoma with 20,990 miles on it on 11/22/2019. Then the pandemic hit the USA and the truck sat for many months. Then in April 2023 I brought the truck in for repairs and the mechanic told me the frame was rusted real bad and that the recall was past the deadline. I brought it to Toyota of Watertown Dealership on 4/07/2023 with 33,348 miles on it and they said there was nothing they could do because the truck was over the 12 years of manufacturing recall date. My truck was manufactured on 8/20/2009, so my recall ended on 8/20/2021. I owned the truck for 19 months during the recall and I never received a recall notice from Toyota. If I had known I would have had it inspected before the 12 years were up and Toyota would have been responsible for the rusted out frame. Toyota is negligent and liable for not informing me of the recall. Now I am stuck with a rusted out dangerous vehicle.
Had just entered my driveway and Tacoma cabin suddenly filled with heavy smoke and smell of something burning. Stopped vehicle, set brake and got away from it after opening both doors. Short time later opened hood to try and determine what had gone wrong expecting S radiator hose leak. After examining fluids, only the power steering tank was empty and passenger side of engine smelled like cabin did. Had Tacoma towed to dealer to determine what was wrong. Their mechanic found massive corrosion of the power steering rack and lines were split/rotten blowing power steering fluid onto manifold and lower steering shaft freeing up. They had to replace power steering rack, lines, outter tie rods and steering shaft. Then did an alignment. Btw this Tacoma had a frame replacement about a year ago. I firmly believe power steering rack could have been stressed during that time. Also they should have detected the corrosion problem then. The mechanic and service advisor showed me what was left left of psr...severe corrosion had left pieces of it flaking off. I'm not having much success getting Toyota to cover parts $$$ replacement and I am a 4 time buyer of Toyota vehicles since 1980's. if this had happened at highway speed I wouldn't be writing this.
It juss started a week or so ago.the power steering is intermittent goin out.it's very scary.I'm not sure what the problem is but it gets stiff like there's no power steering. Than it will come back.
- Racine, WI, USA
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The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to new country Toyota of saratoga springs (3002 NY-50, saratoga springs, NY 12866, (518) 584-7272) and repaired per an unknown recall regarding the frame. While driving various speeds, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. When the vehicle accelerated, the noise intensified and the steering wheel vibrated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Power steering goes out intermittently. Highway or back roads make no difference. Turning the wheel suddenly gets stiff, then can slip back into power steering and turn very quickly.
In addition to a rusted frame, my 2009 Tacoma has 1.a rusty air condition system with rusted components. 2.a rusted U joint for steering that was extremely difficult & expensive to replace. 3.a rusted power steering component with a hole in bottom. It can't be fixed until the frame is replaced. I can't safely drive the vehicle. 4.a rusted 4-wheel drive actuator ' to be replaced. It doesn't G into 4 wheel drive. 5.brake line rusted thru. Will these repairs be covered by Toyota as well during the frame replacement?
Steering is stiff and jerky causing driving concerns at all speeds. Problem is intermittent making it an issue as can occur at any time. Not power steering related.
Power steering assist seemed intermittent. The power steering lower shaft at the universal joint has become corroded making steering difficult (to overcome the corrosion) as well as dangerous when further corrosion leads to steering failure. Many on-line forums make note of this problem. It appears to be a systematic design flaw that can lead to dangerous consequences. Imagine losing steering control at high speed. Since Toyota is addressing frame rust for the same year, with either a replacement frame or a protective coating, why isn't this of equal concern on some kind of recall. It looks like I've addressed the issue with a $600 repair to protect my safety, however as this is a known problem, why is it not a voluntary or mandatory recall to address this dangerous condition. This condition started the day after the truck was returned to me after getting the frame undercoating. This condition happens at any speed, left or right turns, when cold or warmed up. It is most notable when cold at slow speed (first started up, turning around in the driveway).
Steering was very stiff and steering wheel would not return after cornering causing the truck to continue in the wrong direction. The steering is stiffer in some positions than in others.
The welds lower control arm mount on the driver side failed when I applied the brakes at high speed and almost caused an accident and almost completely removed my wheel and the lower control arm from the car.
Stiff steering. Steering shaft knuckle is exposed and corrodes resulting in the stiff steering. Starts outs as intermittent. Occurs at any speed, turning right or left, all environmental conditions. Very unsafe. Widely known issue
Problem with turning left and right, very stiff, like there was a problem with the power steering. Brought it to my mechanic, he had to install the lower steering shaft. He called are local dealer for the part, they said it is a common problem, they just sold 3 that day. My question is if this is a common problem, why isn't Toyota talking care of this! this is a safety issue! this ended up costing me $400. Very unfair, there needs to be a recall before someone gets hurt.
The lower steering linkage U joint (intermediate steering shaft) failed due to simple rust. It is unprotected and open to the elements and the failure nearly caused an accident. The symptoms were extreme hard steering and almost caused me to drive off the road going around a corner. This was a sudden issue, not a gradual problem and occurred at all driving speeds. My vehicle only had 100,000 miles on it.
Steering is getting stiff, especially at lower speeds, tighter turns. Caused by corrosion getting into the U joint of the lower intermediate steering shaft. Poor design, does not protect from weather / road conditions.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Waltham, MA, USA