2005 TOYOTA TACOMA Steering Problems

INTERMEDIATE STEERING ROD LOWER BALL JOINT HAS FAILED , UNABLE TO STEER TRUCK SAFELY THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TOYOTA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW IN 2005 OFF THE FLOOR

Mileage: 388,000

AS I WAS DRIVING I WENT TO MAKE A TURN AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT AND DOSE NOT RESPOND AS IT SHOULD, TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND TOLD ME THE STEERING SHAFT MUST BE REPLACED, I ALMOST RAN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THE STEERING PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES ON CITY STREETS COUNTY ROUTES AND US HIGHWAY ROUTE 22 IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

Mileage: 84,000

VEHICLE HAS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN, SPECIFICALLY IN THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. IT MAKES NOISE WHILE DRIVING.

MY STEERING HAD STARTED TO GET STIFF DURING A TRIP TO PHILADELPHIA. SINCE THEN IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT SIX MONTHS OF THIS IT BECAME NORMAL AGAIN. NOW IT IS GOING BACK TO BEING STIFF AND HARD TO TRANSITION FROM A TURN TO STRAIGHT MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 209,301

STARTED TRUCK AND WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY STEERING BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF. NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS. STIFFNESS IS NOT ALWAYS THERE, IT PULSATES. FLUID LEVEL AND COLOR ALL WITHIN SPECS. BELT WITHIN SPECS. I PLAN ON PUTTING IT ON A LIFT WHEN I RETURN HOME AND PREFORM AN INSPECTION. SUSPECT U JOINT FAILURE.

Mileage: 220,000

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILURE. CAUSED STIFF STEERING

Mileage: 160,000

WE BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR RUST AND CORROSION THAT WE SEEN, PALMERS AIRPORT TOYOTA SAID THEY SEEN NONE, THE A-FRAME HAS RUSTED AND CORRODED TO THE POINT OF SNAPPING AND THE METAL IS CORRODED AND PEELING WITH A CRACK GOING AROUND THE WHOLE A-FRAME. THE TRUCK IS NOW NOT MOVEABLE, THE WHOLE TIRE WILL FALL OFF IF WE DO MOVE IT, WE MADE IT BACK TO OUR HOME WITH IT LUCKILY AND TOYOTA CORPORATE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.

STEERING GETS DIFFICULT AT THE STAR OF TURNS THEN LOOSENS UP AS YOU TURN, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE TURNING. AS IF POWER STEERING IS TURNING ON AND OFF?

WHEN I STEER THE VEHICLE IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE POWER STEERING GIVES OUT. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR ALL OF THE TIME.

Mileage: 164,000

WHEN TURNING, NOTICED STEERING VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. VERY UNNERVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACED. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, AS THE UNIVERSAL JOINT GETS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT DUE TO NO PROTECTION FROM ROAD AND ELEMENTS, AND IN TIME, THE STEERING CORRODES. PLEASE FIX THIS!! VERY VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD A CHILD IN THE CAR WHEN I WAS STRUGGLING WITH THIS ISSUE. I WAS HORRIFIED TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN . I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND MAKING SEVERAL TURNS, STEERING WAS UNPREDICTABLE AND UNSAFE.

Mileage: 125,000

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS (55 MPH) AND YOU TRY TO MOVE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE STEERING APPEARS TO BE STUCK, BUT WITH SOME ADDITIONAL EFFORT I AM ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL.

Mileage: 270,000

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT RUSTED AND BINDING MY STEERING WAS BECOMING TOUGH TO STEER AND THEN IT WOULD BE FINE. IT FELT LIKE THE POWER ASSIST WAS STOPPING ASSISTING THEN IT WOULD BEHAVE NORMALLY DURING A TURN. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF PROPER STEERING DURING TURNING ARE ANY SPEED. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE TOUGH TO STEER, (AS IF YOU HAD MANUAL STEERING) AND HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN, THE STEERING FEEL WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL (POWER ASSIST WORKING) WHICH CAUSED BACK AND FORTH MOTIONS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE PROPER LANE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND " FOUND STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT RUSTED AND BINDING". I HAD TO REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, HAVE A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND HAVE THE POWER STEERING FLUID FLUSHED. TOTAL BILL WAS $796.89 THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO INADEQUATE RUST PREVENTATIVE MEASURES, POSSIBLY SIMILAR TO THE RUSTING FRAME ISSUES. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS AND REIMBURSE ANYONE WHO HAS ALREADY HAD THIS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OR DEATH DUE TO STEERING FAILURE AT HIGH OR SLOW SPEEDS.

Mileage: 63,592

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT IS SIEZING LEADING TO DIFFICULT TO OPERATE STEERING.

Mileage: 140,000

2005 TACOMA PICKUPS AND OTHERS ARE INCLUDED IN A PENDING SETTLEMENT REGARDING EXCESSIVE RUSTING. NOW MY STEERING IS FREEZING UP WHICH I FIND IS A WELL DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. THE REASON SEEMS TO ALSO BE RELATED TO A FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT AGAINST RUSTING. SUDDEN STEERING FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED. I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE MY VEHICLE DUE TO THIS FAULT. TOYOTA SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL THESE DANGEROUS VEHICLES BEFORE THERE ARE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.

Mileage: 110,000

STEERING SUDDENLY BECOMES DIFFICULT WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF A SUDDEN HARD TO TURN. INVESTIGATION APPEARS TO BE FAILED BEARINGS IN LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. *TR

Mileage: 100,200

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION RE-ENGAGED ON ITS OWN AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS DISABLED, AND WHEN DRIVING OVER ICE, SNOW, AND/OR SAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 04/05/17 LJ *CN

Mileage: 5,000

MAJOR RUST DAMAGE ON FRAME AFTER ONLY 8 YEARS OF VEHILCE BEING RELEASED, A 2 BY 4 INCH WIDE HOLE ON BOTH SIDES FOR THE TRUCKS FRAME CAUSING WARPING AND BENDING AS WELL AS UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPAIRS TOOK 9 MONTHS, AND UPON COMPLETION WAS SEND BACK TO OWNERS POSSESSION WITHOUT TEST DRIVING OR VERIFYING PROJECT COMPLETION.

Mileage: 158,000

I TOO EXPERIENCED THE STIFFNESS WHILE STEERING. I ALMOST SPENT LARGE DOLLARS BUT DECIDE TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. I LEARNED THAT THE CAUSE OF IT WAS A RUSTED JOINT. AFTER SOME HEAVY SPRAYING WITH LUBRICANTS, I REGAINED NORMAL OPERATIONS. BUT ONLY UNTIL NEXT WINTER..UGH! RECOMMEND TOYOTA TAKES NOTE OF THIS AND DECIDE ON A SOLUTION FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED.

Mileage: 150,000

I EXPERIENCED ROUGH (STIFF, BINDING) STEERING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND WITHIN TWO WEEKS IT WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. I THOUGHT I HAD A STEERING FLUID ISSUE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND CONFIRMED IT BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A RUSTED U-JOINT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT (P/N 4520304020). IN ADDITION TO THE STIFF STEERING GOING INTO A TURN, THE STEERING WOULD NOT RETURN TO STRAIGHT AND I UNEXPECTEDLY NEARLY WENT INTO THE CURB. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION AND MUST BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL 2005 TACOMA OWNERS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ADVISED OF ANY NEED TO PERFORM ANY SPECIAL SERVICING OF THIS PART AT ANY MILEAGE INTERVAL. IT APPEARS TO BE A BAD DESIGN THAT ALLOWS SALTY WATER FROM WINTER ROADS TO GET INTO THE U-JOINT WHICH THEN RUSTS.

Mileage: 151,928

STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF OVER A PERIOD OF A ABOUT 3 WEEKS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER ON ITS OWN MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TURNED UP HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IN SOME CASES PEOPLE'S STEERING LOCKED UP ENTIRELY. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT IS UNPROTECTED AND SUBJECT TO CORROSION. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT A DEALERSHIP FOR FOUR SAFETY RECALLS, ONE OF WHICH REQUIRES THE WHOLE FRAME TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. I WILL NOT GET THE TRUCK BACK FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS DUE TO A BACKLOG OF PARTS. THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN TWO PLACES AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THAT CONDITION. I REQUESTED THAT THE STEERING ISSUE BE LOOKED INTO WHILE IT IS IN THE SHOP AND EVERYTHING IS APART. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE STEERING ISSUE, GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM MAY WARRANT LOOKING INTO. IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE FRAME CORROSION ISSUE, FOR WHICH THERE IS A RECALL.

Mileage: 112,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, OVER TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN EXCESS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 75,000

STEERING IS DIFFICULT, AS IF NO POWER STEERING EXISTS. I CHECKED ONLINE AND SAW OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I LUBRICATED THE LOWER PART OF INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, AND IT SEEMS TO WORK OK FOR NOW. IF THE PART IS RUSTED, I'M AFRAID THE STEERING WILL GO OUT ALTOGETHER AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FRAME HAS BEEN REPLACED DUE TO RUST. IS THIS MORE OF THE SAME PROBLEM?

Mileage: 142,000

STEERING GOT VERY STIFF AND I HAD TROUBLE OPERATION THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALMOST WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS. ONCE I GOT THE TRUCK TO THE ROADSIDE I CHECKED FOR A FLAT TIRE, BROKEN POWER STEERING BELT AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND CONDITION. EVERYTHING WAS OK, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL VERY HAD TO TURN. I HAD THE TRUCKS STEERING CHECKED OUT AND THE U JOINT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAD SIZED UP. TOYOTA PART NUMBER 4520304020 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA SHOULD DO A RECALL TO COVER THIS. THE PROBLEM COMES ON SUDDENLY AND YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 184,565

I HAD COMPLETE FAILURE TO MY RACK AND PINION STEERING DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO THE COMPONENT. I WAS PULLING INTO A BUSINESS DOING ABOUT 10 MPH AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. I CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND ON THE GROUND WAS A PUDDLE OF STEERING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND WHEN HE EXAMINED THE TRUCK TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAD COMPLETED ROTTED OUT AND BROKE. I ALSO HAD HIM CHECK THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK, SINCE I RECEIVED A TSB BULLETIN ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE CORROSION DUE TO NOT ENOUGH FRAME UNDERCOATING BEING APPLIED IN COLD STATES. HE FOUND A LARGE HOLE BEHIND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THE FRAME. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE REST OF THE FRAME AND FOUND SOME SMALLER PERFORATIONS AS WELL. MY QUESTIONS IS IF THE FRAME IS BEGINNING TO ROT AND THEY ARE SELECTIVELY REPLACING THE FRAMES OR VEHICLE IF THEY ARE A DANGER, WHY ARE NO OTHER COMPONENTS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THESE FAILING PARTS COVERED AS WELL AND FAILING DUE TO EXCESSIVE ROT OR RUSTING. IF ANY OF THESE COMPONENTS FAILED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING TO ALL INVOLVED, POSSIBLY LEADING TO SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. SOMETHING MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES THEY PRODUCE AND THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO OWN AND OPERATE THEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STOP PLAYING THE "ITS NOT COVERED OR APPLICABLE" GAME AND TAKE OWNERSHIP AND FIX IT BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED. I HAVE OWNED 5 TOYOTA'S PREVIOUSLY AND FELT VERY SAFE UP UNTIL NOW, NOW I AM NOT TO SURE!

Mileage: 168,210

LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES. TWO DEALERS PLUS TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS REFUSED SERVICE, SO I HAD TO PAY FOR A PRIVATE SPRING SHOP TO REPLACE THEM. THEY HAVE SINCE BEEN RECALLED BUT TO DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. IN 2014 THE STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND AT THE SAME TIME THE FRAME WAS DETERMINED CORRODED BEYOND REPAIR. TOYOTA MADE PROMISE TO REPLACE THE FRAME UNDER RECALL IN NOV 2014 BUT TO DATE HAS NOT DELIVERED AND HAS NOT INDICATED WHEN I CAN EXPECT THE REPAIR TO BE MADE. FOR OVER SIX MONTHS NOW I HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T SELL OR REPLACE.

Mileage: 6,000

I CAN NOT CONTROL STEERING WHEEL,IT GETS TO HARD TO STEERING. *TR

Mileage: 97,200

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WOBBLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,152.

Mileage: 139,152

THE STEERING IN MY TOYOTA TACOMA BEGAN TO BIND SUDDENLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP, THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING YOKE BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT PART APPEARS TO BE AN UPDATED PART WITH A RUBBER BOOT TO PREVENT CORROSION OF THE SHAFT JOINTS. I BELIEVE THE FAILURE OF THE ORIGINAL PART WAS DUE TO POOR DESIGN, CAUSING THE PART TO BEGIN TO FAIL. IF NOT REPLACED AND THE SHAFT OR SHAFT JOINT HAD BROKEN AT SPEED, THIS CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 123,560

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION I HAVE EXTREMELY STIFF STEERING. IT SEEMS TO STICK AND IS NOT FLUID WHEN TURNING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE CHECKED THE STEERING POWER FLUID LEVEL AND IT IS AT THE CORRECT LEVEL.

Mileage: 177,392

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST UNDER THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS RUST ON THE STEERING COLUMN THAT REQUIRED FREQUENT LUBRICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS RUSTED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

THE STEERING SEEMED TO SEIZE UP ALMOST INSTANTLY AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS GOING OUT. ONCE I REALIZED THAT THE PROBLEM WASN'T A TIRE ISSUE; I.E. UNDER- INFLATION, I BEGAN TO MAKE ARRANGEMENT TO HAVE TOYOTA IDENTIFY AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DID AGREE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM FOR $100+ BUT THIS DIAGNOSIS CHARGE WOULDN'T BE APPLIED TO THE REPAIR. THIS,METHOD OF SERVICE SEEMED ODD TO ME SO I USED ANOTHER AUTO REPAIR SERVICE CENTER THAT PROMPTLY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. IT WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN WITH A NEAR FROZEN U-JOINT. THIS PROBLEM RESULTED IN A VERY ERRATIC STEERING PATTERN. MOST OF THE TIME THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AFTER MAKING A TURN AND AT OTHER TIMES IT WOULD RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION RESULTING IN OVER STEERING. THE ANTICIPATED LACK OF RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION CAUSED ME ON OCCASION TO ATTEMPT TO STEER TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION RESULTING IN THE OVER STEERING. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO OTHERS ATTENTION AND POSSIBLY HAVE ANY VEHICLES SUSPECT FOR A SIMILAR STEERING ISSUE INSPECTED SO REPAIRS CAN BE MADE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

I HAVE 2005 TACOMA 4X4 WITH A FRAME THAT CRACKED AND COLLAPSED INTO ITS SELF WERE THE LEFT MOTOR MOUNT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. THE MOTOR CAME TO REST ON THE STEERING SHAFT KNUCKLE @ THE RACK AND PINION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. I CALLED TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE WEB THERE ARE WELL OVER 200 COMPLAINTS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS SUCH A PROBLEM THAT A FABRICATION COMPANY DMZ MAKES A GUSSET REPAIR KIT TO REPAIR AND REINFORCE THE FRAME. IT'S A BOUT A 10 HOUR REPAIR. HTTP://DMZFAB.COM/PRODUCT/TACOMA-MOTOR-MOUNT-GUSSET-KIT/. TOYOTA SHOULD CONTACT THEM FOR THE CURE. *TR

Mileage: 157,995

HI, I HAVE AN OPEN FILE WITH THE TOYOTA CORPORATION AT 1-800-331-4331, MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I LIVE IN FAIRBANKS, ALASKA. CASE # [XXX]. IN SEPT. OF 2012 MY TRUCK WAS AT 61,000 MILES AND I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND THEY CHECKED A RECALL ON THE SPIRAL CABLE AND TOLD ME THAT MY TRUCK DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE SERIAL NUMBER ON THE PART. I DIDN'T MIND I WASN'T HAVING ANY PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, AT 65,000 MILES IT IS NOW NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO FIX IT. I'VE TRIED TO REASON WITH THEM AND POINT OUT THAT ITS OBVIOUS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN A TRUCK WITH 65,000 MILE, GARAGED YEAR AROUND AND NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT WOULD BE HAVING PROBLEMS. I HONESTLY THOUGHT SAFETY SYSTEMS HAD LIFE TIME WARRANTIES. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO NOT FEEL OBLIGATED TO FIX THE PART AND HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE TOYOTA CORPORATION AND THE KENDALL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN FAIRBANKS, ALASKA. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND HOW MANY OTHER SPIRAL CABLES ARE HAVING PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOT WITHIN THE RECALL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME WITH ANY NEEDED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 65,000

FELT AS IF POWER STEERING QUIT. GOING AROUND CORNERS THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO STRAIGHT POSITION, BUT REQUIRED ME TO MANUALLY PULL THE WHEEL BACK. WE FOUND IT LOW ON PS FLUID. THAT WAS FILLED AND IT APPEARED THAT TO PRETTY MUCH SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THOUGH NOT COMPLETELY. TWO WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM IS BACK AND THE PS FLUID LEVEL IS FINE. IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN INTO CORNERS AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE PARK IN REASONABLE TIGHT SPOTS DUE TO DIFFICULT TURNING THE WHEEL. *TR

Mileage: 185,000

WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE, THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS BECAME SOFT AND THE TRUCK BOTTOMED OUT ON BUMPS. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER (HADDADS, PITTSFIELD, MA) AND THEY REFUSED TO SERVICE IT CLAIMING NOTHING WAS WRONG. I LATER TOOK IT TO A SPRINGFIELD DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER. I THEN TOOK IT TO SUPERIOR SPRING IN PITTSFIELD. THEY FOUND BOTH SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY, CLAIMING I HAD OVER LOADED THE TRUCK. I HAD NOT EVER CARRIED MORE THAN A FEW HUNDRED LBS IN THE BED OF THIS 1/2 TON TRUCK. I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK SINCE NEW AND BEEN THE SOLE OPERATOR. A FEW WEEKS AGO THE STEERING BECAME STICKY. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AT A COST OF $400. HE STATED THAT TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR THIS BECAUSE HE SEES THIS PART FAIL OFTEN DUE TO POOR CONSTRUCTION. ALSO, THE FRAME ON THIS TRUCK HAS SIGNIFICANT RUST ALREADY AND DOES NOT LOOK LIKE IT WILL OUTLAST THE BODY AND DRIVE TRAIN. I'M NOT PLEASED. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

MY TACOMA WAS APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS OLD WITH LESS THEN 50,000 MILES WHEN THE STEERING BEGAN TO LOCK UP UPON MAKING A TURN. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHER TACOMA OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE QUICK SOLUTION WAS TO SPRAY LUBRICATING OIL OR PUT GREASE ON THE INTERMEDIATE NO.2 STEERING SHAFT AT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT - WHICH I DID REPEATEDLY UNTIL NOW. THE STEERING ONLY DEGRADED OVER TIME. THE WHEEL BECAME VERY SLOPPING FROM FAILURE OF THE UNIVERSAL JOINT THAT I HAD TO REPLACED IT LAST WEEK AT 95,000 MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS SHAFT IN THE COLD CLIMATES WHERE ROAD SALT HAS BEEN USED ALONG WITH THE ROTTING FRAME ISSUES. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BRACKET ON HIS DRIVEWAY AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED, THE STEERING LINKAGE AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE WHEEL MOUNT WERE AFFECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130.000.

Mileage: 150,000

THE FOLLOWING IS THE DEALER INSPECTION REPORT FOR MY TRUCK: "FOUND EXTREME CORROSION TO FRAME. TOW HOOK AND DRIVER SIDE SWAY BAR MOUNT UNABLE TO RE-ATTACH DUE TO FRAME PERFORATION FRONT CROSS MEMBER MISSING (RUSTED OFF) FOUND HOLE IN LEFT SIDE OF FRAME. STEERING RACK MOUNTS EXTREMELY PERFORATED, READY TO DETACH. DO NOT RECOMMEND DRIVING VEHICLE DUE TO EXTREME DAMAGE TO FRAME" TRUCK PURCHASED NEW, SINGLE OWNER, WELL MAINTAINED. ...UPDATED 06/10/14 *BF

Mileage: 130,000

WHILE DRIVING STEERING SUDDENLY GOT HARD. THEN IT WAS NORMAL AGAIN FOR A BIT. I NOTICED THAT AFTER MAKING LEFT TURN IT WAS HARD TO STEER RIGHT AND VICE VERSA WHEN TURNING RIGHT. CHECKED POWER STEERING AND WAS GOOD. RESEARCH ON FORUMS SUGGESTED A EXPOSED KNUCKLE ON A PART 45203A CALLED SHAFT, STEERING INTERMEDIATE, NO.2. AFTER LUBRICATION TO THE KNUCKLE AREA THE STEERING HAS IMPROVED THOUGH NOT 100%. PART SHOULD INCLUDE AT A MINIMUM GREASE FITTINGS FOR LUBRICATION, PREFERABLY A TYPE OF PROTECTION FROM EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS SUCH AS A RUBBER BOOT. THIS LOSS OF STEERING MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

WHILE TURNING INTO A MILD CORNER,STEERING STARTED BINDING UP,HAD TO REALLY PULL ON THE WHEEL, AS IF POWER STEERING WENT AWAY. STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN,HAD TO PULL IT BACK TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. I KNOW MY WIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL IT TO GET THROUGH CORNER. *JS

Mileage: 110,000

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA FIRST ISSUE IS THE STEERING, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE TURNING THE STEERING HAS "LOCKED UP" , THE STEERING GETS EXTREMITY HARD TO TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. AFTER MY OWN RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE STEERING SHAFT WILL LOCK UP OR GET EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN IF NOT GREASED. THE JOINT IS OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS AND HAS NO PROTECTIVE BOOT OVER IT. THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE FROM TOYOTA FOR THE JOINT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. IF THE OPERATOR DOES NOT HAVE THE UPPER BODY STRENGTH TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN WHEN THE JOINT LOCKS UP IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED BY MECHANICS CAUSE EXPENSIVE UNNECESSARY REPAIRS (NEW STEERING RACK). THE SECOND ISSUE IS FRAME RUST. THE FRAMES ARE A POOR DESIGN, HAVE NO PROTECTIVE COATING AND ARE MADE OF INFERIOR METAL. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH FOR "TACOMA FRAME RUST" WILL SHOW PLENTY OF HORROR STORIES OF FRAMES LITERALLY RUSTING AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK. THE OLDEST 2ND GENERATION TACOMAS (2005 PRODUCTION YEAR) ARE NOW 9 YEARS OLD, A FRAME ON A 9 YEAR OLD VEHICLE HAVING RUST ISSUES IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. ALONG WITH THE FRAMES RUSTING AWAY ALL COMPONENTS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME CAN FAIL. (LEAF SPRINGS, SHOCKS, MOTOR MOUNTS ETC). TOYOTA DID THE RIGHT THING WITH THE 1ST GENERATION TACOMAS THAT HAD THIS ISSUE. THEY ISSUED RECALLS AND BOUGHT BACK TRUCKS. CONSUMERS WERE LED TO BELIEVE THE FRAME RUST ISSUES WERE CORRECTED ON THE SECOND GENERATION TACOMAS BUT THEY WERE NOT. AS OF NOW TOYOTA IS HANDLING FRAME RUST ISSUES ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. SOME PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING TO GET NEW FRAMES AND SOME PEOPLE ARE LEFT WITH A TRUCK THAT IS RUSTING AWAY WITH NO HELP FROM TOYOTA. FRAMES RUSTING AWAY TO THE POINT THAT A HOLE THE SIZE OF A HAND CAN FIT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK WHEN ROUNDING A CURVE. THEN IT WOULD BE OK . AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ABOUT 200 MORE MILES THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY IN IT MOVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT MOVING THE TIRES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAD NO BEARINGS LEFT IN IT. SCARY.. *TR

Mileage: 178,000

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013: WHILE MANEUVERING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND THROUGH THE 90 DEGREE TURNS OUT OF A SUBURB IN WASHINGTON STATE ON THE WAY TO I-5 NORTHBOUND, THE STEERING OF MY WELL-MAINTAINED 6 SPEED MANUAL 2005 ACCESS CAB TOYOTA TACOMA TRD 4WD FELT ALTERNATELY STIFF AND LOOSE, AS THOUGH THE WHEEL WAS RATCHETING. THE WHEEL FAILED TO RETURN TO CENTER, REQUIRING CONSTANT EFFORT THROUGH ALL POINTS OF STEERING, WITH SPECIAL CARE REQUIRED TO OVERCOME THE HIGH AND LOW PEAKS IN RESISTANCE. NEGOTIATING TURNS HAS BECOME AN IMPRECISE, PHYSICALLY DEMANDING AND THEREFORE UNSAFE EXERCISE. WHILE I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, AT MY OWN EXPENSE, THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THE WWW.ARFC.ORG WEBSITE, AND IS LIKELY ASSOCIATED WITH A FAULTY UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE FAULTY PART HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT," PART# 45203-04020. THE REDESIGNED PART MEANT TO ADDRESS THE DEFECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS PART# 45220-04020. THE REDESIGNED PART IS SAID TO INCLUDE A PROTECTIVE BOOT MEANT TO PROTECT "UNIVERSAL JOINT #2". THIS PROBLEM SOUNDS TO ME EVERY BIT AS SERIOUS AS THE GAS PEDAL/FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE RECALL FOR WHICH I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN RECENT YEARS. THIS IS A LOSS-OF-CONTROL HAZARD THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA DIRECTLY AS A SAFETY RECALL. LOYAL CUSTOMERS LIKE MYSELF SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY MATERIALS, POOR ENGINEERING, DEFECTIVE WORKMANSHIP OR THE UNSAFE CONDITIONS THAT RESULT FROM ANY OF THESE OVERSIGHTS. IGNORING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, (WHICH IS COMMONLY BEING MISDIAGNOSED AS POWER STEERING OR RACK AND PINION PROBLEMS ON MANY TOYOTA TACOMA FORUMS), COULD RESULT IN FATALITIES OR SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

Mileage: 64,770

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS. THE FRAME IS ALSO RUSTING VERY BADLY AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

EXCESSIVE RUST BEGAN APPEARING ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AT 50,000 MILES. REVIEWED RUST WITH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (4 TIMES OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS) AND THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS FOR A RUSTY FRAMES. MY CONCRETE DRIVEWAY IS NOW STAINED WITH THE RUST COMING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. FRAME AND BUMPER IS NOW RUSTY AND GETTING WEAKER AS THE RUST CONTINUES. VEHICLE NOW HAS 90,000 MILES AND FRAME IS COVERED IN RUST. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME. ADDITIONALLY, I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON THE VEHICLE -- DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR - DUE TO EXTREME RUSTING. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY TWO LANE ROAD. AS I APPROACHED A SLIGHT CURVE, THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO FAIL AND THE TRUCK RAN OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED THE VEHICLE, AND WITH LOTS OF MUSCLE I STEERED THE VEHICLE BACK ONTO THE ROAD. I JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE SUCH AS A LEAKING STEERING HOSE OR BROKEN SERPENTINE BELT. NOT SEEING ANY IMMEDIATE DAMAGE, I SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF TO MY HOME. AFTER A THROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE STEERING SYSTEM, I DISCOVERED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT THAT ATTACHES THE STEERING COLUMN TO THE RACK & PINION, HAD A FROZEN/BINDING UNIVERSAL JOINT. THIS UNIVERSAL JOINT IS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AND DOES NOT HAVE A LUBRICATION FITTING. THIS ITEM IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE MANUAL UNDER PERIODIC MAINTENANCE. UNDER A DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCE, SUCH AS MY WIFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THIS INCIDENT MY HAVE CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS AROUND THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 77,376

THE TOYOTA TACOMA BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, AS THOUGH THE POWER STEERING WAS FAILING. TO NEGOTIATE THE VEHICLE THROUGH A BEND IN THE ROAD I HAD TO EXERT SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND HAD TO MANUALLY FORCE THE WHEEL BACK TO CENTER. THIS MOMENTARILY INHIBITED ME FROM KEEPING THE VEHICLE CENTERED IN THE LANE. THIS PROBLEM HAS SINCE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. ON INSPECTION I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE IMPAIRED STEERING CONTROL TO BE CORROSION OF THE UNIVERSAL JOINT #2 STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PART # 45203-04020. ON SEARCHING FOR A REMEDY I LEARNED THIS PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, AND THE REPLACEMENT PART IS 45220-04020. APPLICATION OF PENETRATING OIL TO THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT HAS REDUCED THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM BUT NOT PERMANENTLY RESOLVED IT. IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE A YOUNGER, OLDER OR OTHERWISE PHYSICALLY WEAKER OPERATOR WAS DRIVING THEY MAY HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY KEEPING THE VEHICLE IN ITS LANE. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

THE STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME SURPRISINGLY HARD TO TURN AS IF THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRING PROBLEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF TRUCK AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE ONSET OF THIS PROBLEM IS INCREDIBLY FAST WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS CRASHES AND INJURIES!!! THE CAUSE IS A FAULTY PART DESIGN (PART IS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AND SEIZES) AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED ASAP. THE FAULTY PART # 45203 - 04020, INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WERE RUSTED COMPONENTS WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 70,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND COMPLETING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SLOWLY RETURNED TO A STRAIGHT POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

SUDDEN ONSET OF STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT U-JOINT SEIZING MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT. ALSO LOST RETURN-TO-CENTER OF STEERING. THIS COULD POSE A SERIOUS RISK OF OVER-STEERING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT A TEE INTERSECTION. THE UNPROTECTED U-JOINT IS EXPOSED TO STRIKING OF ROAD DEBRIS AND SALT SPRAY. THE U-JOINT DOES NOT HAVE GREASE FITTINGS OR ANY OBVIOUS MEANS OF LUBRICATION. INTERNET RESEARCH SUGGESTS THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT FOR TOYOTA TACOMAS WITH APPROXIMATELY 75K OR MORE MILES STARTING WITH MODEL YEARS 2005 AND NEWER. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA PRERUNNER 4X4 WITH ONLY 83,000 MILES. THERE IS RECURRING ISSUES WITH THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS GOING OUT. FRONT LEFT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 YEARS AGO, THEN FRONT LEFT STUB AXLE WAS REPLACED LESS THAN A YEAR LATER UNDER WARRANTY BY TOYOTA. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ALSO WENT OUT 2 YEARS AGO AND WERE REPLACED AND NOW THE LEFT SIDE IS GOING OUT AGAIN. *KB

Mileage: 20,000

TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN . HE HAD TO MANUALLY PULL THE STEERING WHEEL BACK IN POSITION WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST BUT NOW IT WAS MORE FREQUENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.

Mileage: 77,000

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA ON THE FREEWAY IN LIGHT RAIN. THE STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND MY TRUCK BEGAN FISHTAILING. I TAPPED ON THE BRAKES LIGHTLY BUT THE TRUCK CONTINUED ACCELERATING FASTER. I ENDED UP HITTING THE CONCRETE BARRIER AND WAS PLACED IN THE AMBULANCE. I NOW SUFFER FROM LOWER BACK AND POSSIBLE TORN LIGAMENTS IN THE NECK. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THERE HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF INCIDENT WHERE THE STEERING VEERS OF FOR NO REASON AND SOMETIMES THE STEERING SHAKES WHEN I DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 68,100

I NOTICED OCCASIONAL STIFF STEERING FOR A FEW MONTHS WHICH GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE WITH TIME. EVENTUALLY SEEMED LIKE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST STEERING. I FOUND THAT IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WHICH CONTAINS A UNIVERSAL JOINT THAT HAD BECOME SEIZED. I HAD THIS INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PART REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST OF $885.00. THE NEW PART ORDERED FROM TOYOTA WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL IN THAT THE NEW PART HAD A BOOT PROTECTING THE UNIVERSAL FROM DIRT DUST AND DEBRIS. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD 4X4 THEY HAVE REPLACED MY FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS 6 TIMES KNOW MY FRONT DIFF, THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AND MY REAR END. *TR

Mileage: 1,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT HEARS METAL GRINDING WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. TOYOTA STATED THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY DO NOT CONSIDER IT A SAFETY HAZARD. TOYOTA STATED THAT THIS IS A FAILURE DEALING WITH THE TRANS-ACTUAL AND TRANSFER CASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 38,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE BACK AND FORTH AS IF A SURGE OF PRESSURE. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE WITH OUT CORRECTION THEY SAY THAT IT IS FINE. *NM

Mileage: 1,500

ON MY BRAND NEW 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA QUAD CAB LONG BED PICKUP TRUCK THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MAKING A TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC, MAKING STEERING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT AND NEARLY CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TOYOTA IS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM INCLUDING ALL OF ITS COMPONENT PARTS.*JB

Mileage: 13

PURCHASED NEW 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP, 4 CYLINDER, AUTOMATIC, 4X2. ON FIRST DRIVE OF NEW TRUCK A SHAKE OR SHIMMY WAS NOTICED AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 20 MPH, BUT MOST NOTABLE IN THE 45 TO 70 MPH RANGE. RETURNED TRUCK TO DEALER. WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A DEFECT KNOWN TO TOYOTA, BUT THAT TOYOTA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OR PROVIDE A FIX. BOBBY RAHAL TOYOTA IN MECHANICSBURG REFUSES TO REFUND MONEY, CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO WORK ON THIS DEFECT CITING NO CURE. CONCERN IS THAT A CONSTANT FRONT END VIBRATION OF THIS SORT WILL LEAD TO SUSPENSION AND / OR STEERING FAILURE RESULTING IS A CRASH.*JB

Mileage: 40

STEERING WHEEL SHACKS FROM APPROXIMATELY 62 TO 75 MILES PER HOUR. HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE SHACKING IS NOT A SAFETY CONSERN. THE SECOND VISIT TO THE DEALER THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS. VEHICLE HAS 1700 MILES.

Mileage: 295