2006 TOYOTA TUNDRA Steering Problems

Good afternoon, my name is Anthony Eakins, and I live in south west Florida. I have a 2006 Toyota tundra and I absolutely love my truck I believe this is one of the best trucks on the road even though it was built in 2006 (275,000 miles) The issue I'm having is my frame is to the point where I will have to get rid of my truck. The other issue is the frame is so bad I can't even sell my truck. I know there was a recall several years back and I'm curious why my truck is not part of this recall. My truck is rusting right above the rear leaf spring shackles and right at the bend by the motor. I have taken extremely good care of this truck it stays in my garage and the frame has been sprayed with under coating professionally every two years. I even have a detailed list of everything that's been done with this truck since 40,000 miles. Since my truck has been taken care of very well, I have not had any issues until now. I know Toyota is a very reliable vehicle and was curious if there's anything you can do to help me with the situation. Please respond to this email, confirming or denying assistance on my frame repair. Thank you.

Luckily there has not been an incident as of yet. Shortly after I purchased truck in 4-2017 the steering rack rusted off, had that repaired, few months later noticed rear differential was dripping due to rust eating through entire casing. My mechanic informed me that there was a recall issue involving frame rust so I took it to Toyota service dept. where they inspected and said it was fine and that the recall had expired. I went ahead and spent $1100.00 for new tires and a few weeks later heard noise underneath, turns out exhaust reducer is rusted apart, but when I looked at frame I was shocked to see several holes, a couple the size of my fist and frame looks like it is starting to twist. I took it to dealer again to have them look at it and they just said there is nothing they can do for me at this point. The rest of truck is rust free, in great shape, it was 80% garage kept. Please let me know if there is any recourse for me with this potentially dangerous situation.

Frame failure at driver's side front wheel due to excessive rust. Dealership inspected frame 8 months prior to failure and said it was safe to drive. Wheel and steering components broke free from frame. Truck was suddenly unable to move or be driven. Luckily it happened in a parking lot and not while driving on road or on highway at high speed. Yes independent service center confirmed frame failure. No inspections have been done. No warnings.

The truck has bad frame with many holes! The rusted frame! Affecting the suspension and many others parts of the truck the front driver side frame it’s broken! I took the truck to Toyota dealer in Dalton Georgia and. So they refusing to do the job and they sent me back with the same problem problem they took pictures of the frame the guy that That take care of me told me that it truck is not safe for driving!

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, FELT A AND HEARD A BUMP (NO BUMPS IN ROAD) AND LOST MOST STEERING CAPABILITIES. AFTER PULLING TO SIDE OF ROAD. I NOTICED TIRES WERE POINTED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE, I COULD SEE LARGE RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME AND THE RACK WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE FRAME. TOYOTA INSPECTED THE FRAME UNDER RECALL IN 2015 AND SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AND PAINTED ONLY THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRAME WITH AN ANTI CORROSION PAINT WHICH HAS NOW ALSO RUSTED AWAY. I BELIEVE THE FRAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER THE ORIGINAL RECALL INSTEAD OF COVERING WITH PAINT THAT DID NOT DO THE JOB.

Mileage: 112,000

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM ANOTHER MAN. THE TRUCK WOULD STEER OFF WHEN IT WOULD HIT A SMALL BUMP OR HOLE IN THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO GOODYEAR TO SEE IF IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ALIGNMENT AND FOUND OUT THE WHOLE FRONT END SUSPENSION AND EVERYTHING ATTACHED TO IT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE TRUCK IS MOTION AND HAVE HAD TO CHANGE AND ROTATE THE TIRES MORE THAN ONCE WITHIN THIS YEAR. THERE IS WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES ON THE OUTSIDE. I WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THEM AGAIN WHEN WE FIX THE ALIGNMENT. THIS ALSO HAPPENS ON ANY STREET AND IS PRETTY SCARY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRES SOUND LIKE I'M PEELING OUT OR THE TIRE IS FLAT AS I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CAN'T MAKE SHARP TURNS BECAUSE THE TIRES START SKIPPING. I HAVE NOT MADE ANY REPAIRS TO IT BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE BILL AT THIS TIME. ONLY THING I'VE FIXED IS THE TIRES. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH SHOW THAT THE TIRES ARE LOW ON AIR. THE COST QUOTED TO ME WOULD BE CLOSE TO $2000. I ALSO HEARD FROM MANY PEOPLE THAT THE YEAR I HAVE WITH THE TUNDRA HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS I HAVE. IT'S A 2006 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND IS MY FIRST TRUCK PURCHASE FOR MYSELF.. MY FIRST VEHICLE WAS A 1983 TOYOTA CAMRY AND I LOVED IT!! I'VE NEVER HAD ANY KIND OF ISSUE WITH A TOYOTA IN THE PAST AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO THINK ANYTHING BUT POSITIVE THINGS! TOYOTA'S ARE DEFINITELY BUILT TO LAST AND WOULD LOVE TO PASS IT DOWN TO MY SON BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TO POSTPONE CONSIDERING IT'S NOT SAFE FOR HIM TO BE DRIVING. THIS IS HIS LAST YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET IT BACK TO HIM BEFORE THE YEAR IS UP.

Mileage: 217,000

WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND MADE DRIVING DIFFICULT. UPON TAKING MY 2006 TUNDRA TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO GET IT FIXED THEY INFORMED ME THE FRAME HAD A HOLE IN IT AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICEABLE. IT APPEARS MULTIPLE RECALLS FOR MULTIPLE MODELS WERE ISSUED BUT NOT 2005 AND 2006. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT TOYOTA SHOULD LOOK AT AND EXTEND THE RECALL TO THESE VEHICLES.

Mileage: 131,000

I NOTICED THE LOW TIRE LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND CHECKED ALL THE TIRES FOR PRESSURE, AND THEY WERE FINE, THEN I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW THAT THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE ROUND BAR THAT IS PART OF THE STEERING MECHANISM, HAD ACTUALLY PULLED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE FRAME DUE TO RUST, THIS TRUCK FRAME WAS SUPPOSEDLY TREATED IN 2014, AND OBVIOUSLY DID LITTLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM, OF FRAME ROT. TOYOTA IS REPLACING FRAMES ON THE MAJORITY OF TUNDRA'S AND TACOMA'S, BUT NOT MY SPECIFIC YEAR. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS 2006 TUNDRA'S HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

Mileage: 158,000

TAKATA RECALL 2006 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 4X4. PURCHASED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. POWER STEERING FAILED A COUPLE MONTHS IN WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. FOUND FLUID LEAKING I CRAWLED UNDERNEATH AND FOUNF THE ENTIRE FRME RUSTED AND BOTH ANTI ROLL BAR LINKS HAVE SEPARATED FROM CONTROL ARMS. THE BUSHINGS AND NUTS WERE MISSING AND THE POWERSTEERING LINK IS FROM ROTTED BOOT ON THE PASENGER SIDE.

Mileage: 165,000

FEB 2019 - TOYOTA TUNDRA AT 92K MILES WAS INSPECTED BY NJ TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AFTER OWNER COMPLAINED OF STEERING ISSUES AND CONCERNS ON THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME. TOYOTA TECHNICIAN INSPECTED FRAME AND NOTED "UNSAFE TO DRIVE" DUE TO RUST, PERFORATIONS, CORROSION IN FRAME AND STEERING RACK NO LONGER ATTACHED TO FRAME...."VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE" MAY 2018 - SAME TUNDRA W 78K MILES PASSED VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION FROM PRIVATE STATION APRIL 2018- SAME TUNDRA W 78K MILES WAS INSPECTED BY MD TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT..."FRAME RUSTED OUT IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. TRUCK NOT SAFE TO DRIVE" APRIL 2018 - SAME TUNDRA W 78K MILES IS GIVEN A RESULT OF "PASS" BY PRIVATE MD INSPECTION STATION (NO MENTION OF FRAME CONDITION) MARCH 2018 - SAME TUNDRA W 77K MILES WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MD INSPECTION STATION AND TRUCK FAILED..."STRUTS/SHOCKS COMPLETELY RUSTED, RACK AND PINION MOUNTING RUSTED OUT, DANGEROUS, BRAKE HOSE RUSTED CONNECTION, FRAME COMPROMISED BY RUST...AND FRAME OF TRUCK FAILS"

Mileage: 92,000

STABILIZER LINKS ROTTED OFF, FIXED. FRONT END FAILING, FALLING APART AT 78,000 MILES. ALSO TRUCK FRAME RUSTING BADLY, RECEIVED RECALL 3RD NOTICE A YEAR AFTER THEY EXPIRED IT. I NEVER RECEIVED 1ST 2 NOTICES, THEY DON'T COME NOT REGISTERED MAIL. WE HAD MAIL ISSUES WITH USPS! THE REGULAR MAILMAN WAS OUT FOR 2 YEARS WITH CANCER SO WE HAD SUBSTITUTE MAILMEN, WE DIDN'T ALWAYS GET OUR MAIL, GET OTHER PEOPLES MAIL ETC.. WE WOULD OF CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL IF WE KNEW! I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE, THEY DIDN'T CARE, SAID I HAD 3 NOTICES, I ONLY RECEIVED 1 NOTICE AND IT WAS A YEAR AFTER IT EXPIRED! I AM 2ND OWNER. THE FRONT END IN THE TRUCK IS FALLING APART, HORRIBLE VIBRATING/BUMPING AND BANGING WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, TRUCK NOW HAS 92K, I GOOGLED AND IT CAME BACK LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEM RECALL, 2006 TUNDRA. IF IT WAS SERVICED BY PREVIOUS OWNER AND BALL JOINT FAILED AGAIN WOULDN'T BE RECALLED COVERED AGAIN? HOW DO YOU FIND OUT IF IT WAS FIXED THE 1ST TIME? I DON'T WANT TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO IT IF IT IS COVERED UNDER A RECALL! I BOUGHT IT WITH 58K, IT WAS ALWAYS GARAGED AND ONLY DID VACATION TRIPS/HIGHWAY MILES, PREVIOUS OWNER WORKED FROM HOME. I GO 7 MILES/DAY. AND HIGHWAY VACATION TRIPS. PREVIOUS OWNER WAS ELDERLY AND HAS PASSED AWAY. ANY SERVICE RECORDS I DON'T HAVE, BUT HE MAINTAINED IT WELL! RECALLS SHOULD COME REGISTERED MAIL! WE ALSO HAVE A SEAT BELT PROBLEM, THEY DON'T ALWAYS WORK. THEY JAM, DON'T RECOIL, GET STUCK.

Mileage: 78,000

ANTI CORROSION PAINT WAS PUT ON THE FRAME A YEAR AND HALF LATER AND MY TRUCK WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING THEY WANT ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE FRAME RUSTED OUT IN A YEAR AND A HALF AND WAS FINE WHEN THEY PUT THE COATING ON

Mileage: 150,000

THIS STARTED 1/7/2017 COMING HOME FROM WORK BACK GRAVEL ROAD HEATER WOULD NOT WORK NOTICED HEAT GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY UP THEN CAME DOWN TO NORMAL WORKED OK FOR A WHILE DID IT AGAIN. DRIVE HOME APPROX. 10 MILES DID NOT GET HOT BUT TEMPERATURE GAUGE REGISTERED HOT SLOWLY DROVE HOME PUT WATER IN AFTER COOLED OFF. HAD TO LEAVE AT HOME TILL I MADE APPOINTMENT TO BRING IN. DID NOT BRING TO DEALER WHICH IS 40 MILES AWAY DROVE 8 MILES SLOWLY TO MECHANIC. HE REPLACED RADIATOR, FILLED WITH NEW COOLANT MILEAGE 91003. DID NOT MESS UP UNTIL 2/27/2017 SAME ROAD REGISTERED HOT DROVE HOME SHUT OFF ADDED WATER, HAD TO SIT FOR A FEW DAYS TILL OPENING FOR APPOINTMENT. HE DID NOT FIX HE CHECKED OUT FOUND 2 LEAKS ONE DEALING WITH TRANSMISSION AND THE OTHER DEALING WITH STEERING OR BALL JOINTS. HE IS CONCERNED BECAUSE IT RAN OUT OF FLUID EVEN THOU I FILLED UP ASAP. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. THIS IS WHAT HE SAYS POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET LEAK NEAR STEERING RACK. AND BETWEEN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION POSSIBLE FRONT SEAL. ALSO I WILL BE CALLING THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW IN OLATHE, KANSAS.

Mileage: 10

I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING OF MY VEHICLE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. STEERING REQUIRES AN INCREASED EFFORT ON MY PART. ALSO, THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN I AM DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILED. THE WHEEL FELL OFF, THE SUSPENSION DROPPED DOWN. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK.

Mileage: 125,000

THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A ACCIDENT AS FAR AS I KNOW AND I BOUGHT IT NEW WITH APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I AM THE ONLY OWNER. SINCE THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT TO SEVERE SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. EVERY TIME I BROUGHT IT IN THEY WOULD BALANCE THE WHEELS AND ADD HALF A WHEEL CIRCUMFERENCE OF LEAD TO ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO IT IS WHAT IT IS. IT CAUSES MY TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY WHICH THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES ON POOR TIRE PSI. I CHANGED OUT THE AFTERMARKET 20" BBS WHEELS THE DEALERSHIP PUT ON AND PUT 18" WHEELS ON THINKING IT MAY HELP AND IT DIDN'T. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CANNOT HELP SINCE I PUT AFTERMARKET WHEELS ON WHICH I RESPONDED BBS ARE AFTERMARKET WHEELS. THEY AGREED AND SAID BUT WE MODIFY THE SUSPENSION TO WORK WITH THE 20" BBS WHEELS. I'VE BEEN GETTING THIS RUN AROUND SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY AND ALL I WANT IS TO GET THE SHIMMY TO STOP AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF MY TIRES. *TR

Mileage: 15

AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES TO TOWN AT SPEEDS OF 60MPH DROPPED TRUCK OFF AT MECHANICS SHOP BECAUSE WAS STEERING HARD. MECHANIC GOT INTO TRUCK TO DRIVE IT INTO SHOP, LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED OFF WHEN HE PUT IT INTO REVERSE THE FRONT END DROPPED, COULD NOT STEER AT ALL, HAD TO PUT TRUCK IN SHOP WITH WRECKER. THE NIGHT BEFORE THIS I WAS DOING 70 MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. WAS THERE A CRASH? NO, BUT THERE SURE COULD HAVE BEEN. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2006 TUNDRA LOWER BALL JOINTS, TOYOTA SAYS MY TRUCK IS NOT IN RECALL, SHOULD HAVE BEEN. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BUSHINGS. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,393.

Mileage: 61,393

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY FROM THE LEFT AND RIGHT UNLESS THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE RACK & PINION REPLACED 4 ADDITIONAL TIMES PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINTS, THIS LOOKS SIMILAR TO ODI ID NUMBER : 10222095 DATE OF FAILURE: MARCH 21, 2008. I WAS AT A DEAD STOP. I TURNED MY STEERING TO THE LEFT AS POSSIBLE. AS I WAS ROUNDING THE TURN SLOWLY, THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE U-TURN COMPLETELY. I HAD TO RUN OFF OF THE ROAD. AFTER DRIVING STRAIGHT TO REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC SAID THE RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE RODS WERE BENT TO WHAT LOOKED LIKE COULD HAVE BEEN SERVICE WORK RELATED TO THE BALL JOINT RECALL. I'VE ONLY GOT 19800 MILES ON A 2006 TUNDRA CREW CAB. NO WAY THIS SHOULD OCCUR WITH THIS FEW MANY MILES. I'M JUST GLAD I WASN'T AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND TRYING TO ROUND A CURVE. I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH AND NOT USED ON A FARM. IT'S BEEN VERY WELL CARED FOR SO IT SHOULDN'T HAVE CAUSED THAT MUCH STRAIN ON THE RACK. *TR

Mileage: 19,817

THE RIGHT FRONT STEERING TIE ROD ON MY 2006 TOYOTA TUNDRA RUSTED AND TOTALLY DISCONNECT. I HAVE 48000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA COMPANY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS CONNECT TO THE BALL JOINT RECALL PROBLEM ON THE TOYOTA TUNDRA. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

JUST AFTER I DID MY 30K MILE SERVICE ON MY 2006 TOYOTA TUNDRA MY STEERING RACK FAILED AND TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE LOOK AT MY PROBLEMS AND HE SAID THAT THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY STEERING AND HE COULD HEAR NO LOUD GROWLING NOISE. WELL 3 DAYS LATER I CARRY IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DECIDE THE STEERING RACK HAS NOW FAILED AND THEY REPLACED IT. NOW ONLY 14 HOURS AFTER THEY REPLACED IT IS LEAKING VERY BADLY AGAIN AND IS MAKING A GROWLING NOISE ONCE AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID BRING IT IN MONDAY MORNING 24 MARCH FOR THE TO LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH IT. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 70 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STEERED TO THE RIGHT. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKE, HOWEVER; THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER IMPACTING THE CONCRETE WALL. THE VEHICLE WENT ACROSS 3 LANES AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND ENGIZE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN BUT WILL BE ADDED WHEN THE HARDCOPY IS RECEIVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 29,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND THE INSURANCE INFORMATION FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/30/07 *TR

Mileage: 29,000

MY 2006 TUNDRA TRUCK LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON 9/11/2006. IT HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY. MY TRUCK ROLLED OVER A COUPLE TIMES AND STOPPED UPSIDE DOWN IN THE HIGHWAY. MY TRUCK WAS ALL DAMAGED DUE TO THE STEERING PROBLEM. NOW I CAN'T USE IT ANYMORE. *NM