2007 TOYOTA TACOMA Steering Problems

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?

STEERING SUDDENLY GOT VERY STIFF. DANGEROUS THINK ITS THE UJOINT.BEEN THIS WAY ABOUT A WEEK

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.

Mileage: 60,000

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 $700.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS. *TR

Mileage: 211,000

STIFF STEERING. SAME AS THIS POST: HTTPS://WWW.TACOMAWORLD.COM/THREADS/STIFF-STEERING.122153/PAGE-2

Mileage: 131,000

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.

Mileage: 62,000

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.

Mileage: 130,000

STEERING IS VERY HARD TO STEER DEALER WANTS 600.00 TO FIX A STEERING SHAFT I DON'T THINK ITS RIGHT SHOULD BE A RE CALL ON THIS TRUCK BEFORE SOME ONE GETS KILLED.

Mileage: 145,000

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.

Mileage: 137,531

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.

Mileage: 129,000

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

Mileage: 56,522

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.

Mileage: 78,455

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.

Mileage: 346,000

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.

Mileage: 81,000

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 $820.00. 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.

Mileage: 124,000

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.

Mileage: 145,000

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

Mileage: 157,000

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

Mileage: 99,324

TL* 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.

Mileage: 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.

Mileage: 145,000

I HAD MY 2007 TACOMA RACK AND PINION STEERING REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS STIFF AND A RELIABLE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED IT COST OVER 1000 DOLLARS. 90 %FIXED TIMES THE STEERING STICKS AND HAVE TO MUSCLE IT IN CONTROL. I'VE NOW READ IT MIGHT BE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT. AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS. I'VE HAD THE RECALL ON MY FRAME REPLACED. ANY MORE RECALLS I HATE TO SEE THIS TRUCK BECOME A MONEY PIT.

Mileage: 67,000

VEHICLE INFECTED WITH EXTREME FRAME RUST. MOTOR SUPPORT ; TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE SUPPORT; POWER STEERING TUBING RUSTED HOLES MAKING STEERING IMPOSSIBLE. THE DEALERSHIP KNOWN AS RAMEY TOYOTA HAS MY TRUCK AND CHARGING ME WITH UNNECESSARY CHARGES ON TOWING THE VEHICLE TO THEIR FACILITY DUE TO A SPRING CLIP BECOME LOOSE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT REAR WHEEL TO SWAY THEREFORE IT HAD TO BE TOWED. CONTACTED TOYOTA AUTHORIZED THE TOW AS WELL AS A VEHICLE TO RIDE SO THEY CAN REPLACE THE LEAF SPRING. TOYOTA NOW DENIES THEY AUTHORIZED THESE TWO ISSUES AND LEFT ME WITH HOLDING THE CHARGES. THEY CALLED THE TOWING SERVICE AND NOT I SO THEREFORE I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE. PLEASE NOTE ALL THE AGGRAVATION CAUSED FROM THE ABOVE AND ADDED DANGER FROM THIS VEHICLE IS THE RUST ON THE FRAME! PLEASE CONTACT THIS DEALERSHIP AND GET THE DANGERS OF DRIVING THIS TRUCK ON THE ROAD. IT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE DUE TO ALL THAT IS MENTIONED HERE. PLEASE CONTACT TOYOTA AS WELL THAT THEY ARE SAYING I CALLED THE TOWING SERVICE. TRUST ME THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE DUE TO ALL THE RUST AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS THEN YOU HAVE THIS INFORMATION THAT YOU AND I CAN LEAN BACK ON IN CASE SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES AND VIDEOS OF THE VEHICLES RUST AND HAVE TRIED TO UP LOAD THEM TO YOU BUT YOUR SYSTEM WILL NOT ACCEPT THE IMAGES.

Mileage: 99,563

SPIRAL CABLE DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING REPLACEMENT BY A TOYOTA DEALER IN MAY OF 2011, REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDANT REPAIR FACILITY IN DECEMBER OF 2011. A RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT OUT REGARDING THIS ISSUE SHORTLY AFTER I HAD THE REPAIRS MADE. I SENT TOYOTA COPIES OF MY RECEIPTS TO GET REIMBURSED IN MAY OF 2016. TOYOTA WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE REPAIR ORDER OF THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY DID NOT DO A DIAGNOSIS. I DID NOT ASK THEM TO, SINCE TOYOTA HAD ALREADY DONE SO. THE SYMPTOM OF THE ISSUE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT WAS ALWAYS ON. THE CABLE WOULD WEAR PREMATURELY, CAUSING A SHORT, WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

Mileage: 154,069

POWER STEERING UNRESPONSIVE AT TIMES. 71,000 MILES.

Mileage: 71,000

STEERING IS VERY LOOSE AND UNRESPONSIVE. FEELS LIKE THE WHEEL COULD COME OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE.

Mileage: 55,000

THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT ON MY TACOMA THAT I PURCHASED AND TOYOTA SAYS SINCE THEY INSPECTED IT 9 MONTH AGO IT NO LONGER QUALIFIES FOR FRAME REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN UNDER ANY NEGATIVE ROAD CORROSIVE CONDITIONS IN THIS TIME, AND THIS FRAME WAS I BELIEVE RUSTED WHEN INSPECTED AND NOT DISCOVERED BECAUSE IT HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NOW THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE PURCHASING IT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE FRAME RUST AND WAS TOLD BASICALLY TOO BAD SO SAD. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THEY FILED MY COMPLAINT UNDER FILE #1603091915 AT THEIR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS. THE FRAME METAL IS DEFECTIVE. THE POWER STEERING HAS QUIT WORKING AT APPROXIMATELY 75000 MILES, AND THE TRUCK ACCELERATES UNDER ITS OWN POWER WHEN SHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR.

Mileage: 73,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

STEERING HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT. PARKING, CHANGING LANES, AND TURNING HAVE ALL BECOME QUITE A DANGEROUS CHORE--. TO THE POINT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE EVEN OPERATING THE TRUCK.

Mileage: 130,000

STEERING IS HARD, BINDING UP AT SEVERAL POINTS IN A 90 DEGREE TURN, AND THEN THE WHEEL DOES NOT RECOVER AUTOMATICALLY AS TURN IS COMPLETED. IT WOULD STAY IN THE "TURNED" POSITION IF I DID NOT MANUALLY RETURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE "STRAIGHT" POSITION.

Mileage: 89,000

STEERING ACTUALLY LOCKED UP REQUIRING EXTRA EFFORT TO MAKE A RIGHT CURVE. AFTER STOPPING AND LOOKING FOR AA PROBLEM WORKING THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH FREED UP THE STEERING ENOUGH TO DRIVE HOME. AN INTERNET SEARCH FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH TACOMAS. LOWER STEERING U JOINT RUSTS AND SEIZES.. LUBED THE SHAFT AND PLAN TO REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLE.

Mileage: 55,000

WHILE MAKING A TURN ON TO THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MOVE.

Mileage: 64,555

STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY TIGHTENS UP WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT RATHER DIFFICULT TO TURN. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO A WORN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. PERFORMANCE TENDS TO IMPROVE UPON ADDING LUBRICANT TO THE ASSOCIATED U-JOINT, HOWEVER OVER TIME THIS PART BEGINS TO TIGHTEN UP AGAIN. THIS PART WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED...UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

Mileage: 133,900

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TRY TO MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENT WITH STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING APPEARED TO FIGHT ME. WHEN FIRST STARTING THE TRUCK AND GO TO BACK UP, THE WHEEL IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. AFTER ROCKING THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH A NUMBER OF TIMES THE STEERING SEEMS A LITTLE MORE NORMAL. THIS SAME WHEEL FIGHT CAN COME ON EVEN WHEN YOU ARE ON THE ROAD AND TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT. SINCE THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, I AM WORRIED THAT IT COULD SEIZE UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IF IT WAS JUST MY VEHICLE I WOULD JUST PAY AND GET IT FIXED, AS I AM CURRENTLY DOING, BUT THE INTERNET SAYS THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE VERY SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY HAVE CONTACTED YOU FOLKS. THE RANGE OF MODEL YEAR APPEARS TO BE 2005 AND UP. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND PEOPLE COULD DIE.

Mileage: 55,900

STEERING RANDOMLY GETS STIFF AND ALMOST LOCKS. RUSTED UJOINT IN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT.

Mileage: 125,000

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS CORRODED AT THE U-JOINT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT PROTECTION AND POOR DESIGN. THIS HAS RESULTED IN STIFF, JERKY STEERING THAT POSES A DRIVING HAZARD, AND IS A SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE TO REPLACE.

TIGHT STEERING I THOUGHT DUE TO EXTREME COLD TEMPS IN FEBRUARY. PROBLEM WOULD RESOLVE ITSELF AS THE OUTSIDE TEMPS AND/OR ENGINE TEMP INCREASED. IN APRIL I WAS STILL HAVING VERY TIGHT STEERING INTERMITTENTLY ESPECIALLY ON START UP AND IN THE MORNING (WHEN MY VEHICLE HADN'T SAT IN THE SUN ALL DAY). TOOK IT IN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THE JOINTS INSIDE THE STEERING SHAFT WERE SEIZING UP AND I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW STEERING SHAFT - TOTAL PRICE $533.00. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERETHE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,857. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 6/19/2015 *JS

Mileage: 59,857

I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE STEERING ON MY 2007 TACOMA IS VERY OFTEN EXTREMELY STIFF TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION LAST YEAR. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. WAS TOLD: "LOWER SHAFT STARTING TO GET STIFF". WAS QUOTED A REPLACEMENT/REPAIR COST AROUND $550. COULD NOT AFFORD THAT AT THE TIME. THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN INTERMITTENT BUT NOW HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY TIME I USE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO PAY TOYOTA TO FIX THIS. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NUMBER 2". IT SEEMS THIS PART IS EITHER DEFECTIVE OR POORLY DESIGNED AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON MANY AUTOMOTIVE WEBSITES WHICH SPECIFICALLY CITE THIS VEHICLE FOR A RANGE OF YEARS FROM 2005 ON. *TR

Mileage: 102,125

ON OR ABOUT JULY 24, 2014, I NOTICED WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THAT MY 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD EXTENDED CAB WITH 62830 MILES THAT THE STEERING WAS QUITE HARD TO TURN. BUT THE PROBLEM SEEM TO GO AWAY AFTER A MINUTE. THIS THEN CONTINUED TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL I HAD NEAR COLLISION WHILE DRIVING OUT OF TOWN IN NEW JERSEY. WHILE PROCEEDING AT AN INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR AND TURNING WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES PARALLELED TO ME, I NEARLY SWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON MY RIGHT. THIS WAS BECAUSE MY STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF WHICH MADE IT VERY HARD FOR ME TO TURN THE WHEEL. DRIVING MY TACOMA HAD NOW BECOME DANGEROUS AND I COULDN'T TAKE ANY MORE CHANCES. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE MY TRUCK IN FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY. WHEN I DROP-OFF MY VEHICLE, I INDICATED TO THE ATTENDANT THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT MY BE THE CULPRIT. THIS WAS BECAUSE IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED TO A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE WHO OWN A TACOMA. WELL MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, WITH THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM BEING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. A REPAIR THAT COST ME $579.00 SINCE AS PART OF THE REPAIR THEY HAD TO DO A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. *TR

Mileage: 63,925

SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS, THE POWER STEERING BECOMES INTERMITTENT AND IT BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE TRUCK WHEN THE POWER STEERING CUTS OUT. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN DRIVING SITUATIONS. I AM BRINGING THE TRUCK TO TOYOTA FOR INSPECTION AND HOPING TOYOTA WILL PAY FOR THE REPAIR, AS IT SEEMS TO BE A CHRONIC ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

WE WERE INSPECTING THE UNDERBODY OF OUR COMPANY OWNED TACOMA. THERE IS MAJOR RUST ON THE FRONT FRAME, AND THE STEERING ARM (A-ARM?) WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. THE RUST IS SUBSTANTIAL ENOUGH TO ALLOW POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE ARMS FROM THE FRAME. WE DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND SEE THAT CORROSION WAS A PROBLEM WITH EARLIER MODELS OF THE TACOMA. WE WILL TAKE THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT BUT WE THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE REPORTED. IT APPEARS THAT IF THOSE CONNECTIONS FAIL STEARING WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRED. *JS

Mileage: 33,000

WHILE DRIVING ONTO ENTRANCE RAMP OF HIGHWAY, ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO TRAFFIC, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I PULLED HARDER TO ENTER HIGHWAY AND STEERING FINALLY CAUGHT CAUSING ME TO SWERVE OVER ALMOST HITTING VEHICLE IN FAR LEFT LANE. CHECKED POWER STEERING AND IS FULL. DID SOME INTERNET SEARCHES AND HAVE COME UP WITH SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN BECOMES FAULTY AND IS DANGEROUS. THIS CAN CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE RECALL ON THIS PART AND HAVE REPLACED. STEERING COLUMN JOINT IS NOT PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS AND BECOMES RUSTED AWAY. *TR

Mileage: 71,565

PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO FIND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS INTERMITTENTLY STIFF DURING TURNING. BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO FIND THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS APPARENTLY BAD. DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CAN NO LONGER HAVE MY WIFE OR CHILDREN USE MY TOYOTA TACOMA FOR FEAR THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE PHYSICAL STRENGTH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

TRUCK STEERING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, PARTICULARLY AT LOWER SPEEDS, BECAME STIFF AT TIMES AND REQUIRED MORE FORCE TO MAKE EITHER A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. IT DID SEEM TO AFFECT THE STEERING WHEN GOING STRAIGHT, MEANING IT DID NOT DRIFT OR PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, EVEN ON TAPERED ROAD SURFACE. WHEEL DID NOT PULL WHEN BRAKING. I UNDERSTAND THERE MAYBE BULLETIN CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 167,800

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SUDDENLY BECOME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,379. UPDATED 04/02/14*LJ

Mileage: 145,000

AS YOU ARE DRIVING THE STEERING IS STIFF AT VARIOUS POINTS WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL AND REQUIRES SOME FORCE TO CORRECT THE STEERING. IT IS WORSE FROM A STANDING START. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TRACED TO A BAD STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: T-SB-0057-12 OR SB-0119-10 REV2. THIS PROBLEM ALSO SHOWS UP AS RATTLING NOISE, OR STEERING BEING SLOPPY. I BELIEVE THIS A PROBLEM THAT WILL LEAD TO INJURIES AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE LET THE TOYOTA, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION [WWW.NHTSA.GOV/] ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 62,520

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE WHEEL TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE LOWER ASSEMBLY STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,500. *TR

Mileage: 69,500

STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF. *TR

Mileage: 96,221

SPIRAL CABLE IN STEERING DEFECTIVE, HAD TO REPLACE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY. AIR BAG NOT OPERATING IF DASH LIGHT ON. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS EMITTING AN UNUSUAL ODOR AND BEGAN SLIPPING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS UNSTABLE AND WOULD OFTEN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DRIFT ABNORMALLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT AN ANGLE, THE IGNITION WOULD FAIL TO START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

Mileage: 38,000

TOYOTA TACOMA TRD SPORT 2007 THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING/SUSPENSION SYSTEM, WHEN THE ROAD HAS A SLIGHT INCLINATION TO THE SIDE, THE TRUCK DANGEROUSLY TENDS TO GO OUT OF THE ROAD IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS LEFT UNTOUCHED FOR ONE SECOND THE TRUCK GOES OUT OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER CHECKED OTHER NEW TRUCKS 2008 OR 2009 AND IT WAS THE SAME THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY REPAIR, JUST SAID IT WAS A "NORMAL" CONDITION IN TACOMAS. *TR

Mileage: 2,000

I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT, WHEN I DRIVE, THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE. IT SEEMS LIKE I AM CONSTANTLY TRYING TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE, MORE SO THAN ON ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. ALSO, WHEN I STOP, SOMETIMES THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTS AND LURCHES FORWARD A LITTLE BIT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH IN THE RAIN AND MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED, SPUN AROUND AND CRASDED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SPINAL ABRASION AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, NO ONE ANSWERED THE TELEPHONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000