First contacted toyota motor sales u.s.a., inc. In torrance, ca. And advised them of my car troubles prior to going to dealership for service. I made them aware that I do not trust dealer service departments. They assigned me a case number and documented my issues with engine/powertrain malfunction that still exist today and both the dealer and toyota motor sales have not addressed problem. Also, I stated to dealer that there was leakage surrounding the power steering pump. Dealer was quick to resolve problem by trying to induce me to have pump changed without performing true diagnostic procedures to include; failure to remove front r/h tire to look at power steering pump from the front side, failure to clean power steering pump and surrounding areas to investigate true area of leakage. Instead, dealer service department came to an immediate conclusion that the pump must be leaking from pump shaft bearing. Cost to replace; $750.00 which I declined to have replaced. With the vehicle up on jack stands and with true diagnostic testing, I removed front r/h tire, thoroughly cleaned power steering pump and surrounding area and steered left to right and right to left many times and can not locate leak at this time. Could be even engine oil that dripped down or pump high pressure line that goes to steering cylinder gearbox/yoke area. As far as the power train/engine problem that has been going on for a very long time, the engine and transmission are always out of synchronization. To briefly state, the engine wonders (hi and low rpms) and the transmission will be in wrong gear. Furthermore, throttle response is many times non-existent. I depress pedal and no engine response is found. Need to further depress pedal for engine to accelerate. This is a serious safety factor as far as I am concerned. Have other issues not able to state because of your limited words allowed.
2005 Toyota Avalon steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 42, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The steering wheel friction lever suddenly dropped and the steering wheel collapsed while the car was in motion. Updated 05/12/11
Steering column locking lever suddenly disengages and steering wheel collapses from set position while driving. This has occured approximately six times in last 1000 miles. Loosing steering wheel stability has caused unsafe control of vehicle.
Toyota avalon ltd. 2005..steering wheel locking mechanism that locks the steering wheel into position "up and down"..the lever does not lock into position and easily opens and the steering wheel drops down even as the car is in motion...almost lost control as I was driving as the lever opened down and the steering wheel dropped quickly as I drove the car....when I informed toyota of the potential danger, they said it was no problem....I think it is.............
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. While driving approximately 20 MPH the contact heard a cracking noise coming from the telescopic steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The lever that holds the steering wheel up released on its own while driving and it happened a few different times. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.
Just adding my similar experience. The lever at the left of the steering column does not hold and drops down periodically. It has happened dozens of times. I took it to the toyota dealer on a couple of occasions but they said "no problem" or either "you had the steering wheel extended too far for it to catch". I just reach down and flip the lever up when it happens and drive with the wheel in closer to the dash until I can stop and safely pull it out to a comfortable position. This has happened many times, particularly when I stop. The wheel just goes towards the dash. I think it is a defect but toyota has never so acknowledged it or repaired it.
The steering wheel column retracting without touching the lever on the left hand side of the steering column. This has happened twice while I was driving and once while my daughter was driving my car on monday 5/2/4/2010. We were able to stop without an accident to secure the steering wheel and fasten the lever.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. While driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel placement lock unlocked suddenly causing the steering wheel to move up and down. The failure occurred on five different occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership but the dealer could not diagnose the cause of failure. The current mileage was approximately 76,000. The failure mileage was approximately 400.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. While driving at 5 MPH, turning the steering wheel, it would not engage. She also noticed the steering wheel was improperly aligned. The dealer performed a diagnostic and found the retaining clip that housed the steering wheel had failed and needed to be replaced. Repairs were made at the owner's expense. The failure mileage was 52,024 and the current was 54,381. Updated 4/28/10 *cn the consumer stated the steering wheel telescoping feature would not lock and move forward while driving. The dealer stated the entire steering column needed to be replaced. Updated 07/06/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. He stated that while driving at 20 MPH, when coming to a stop the steering wheel pulled to the left and he could not keep it positioned straight. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated that they could not duplicate the problem and there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle had experienced this issue about 8 times since he purchased it. There had been no repairs done to the vehicle at the time of the complaint.the failure mileage was 1000 and current mileage was 48000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. He stated that while driving at 65 MPH when the steering wheel collapsed to his knees he then had to pull over to check and fix it; however, it continued to occur. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they did not acknowledge the problem. This failure has occurred 10 additional times since the dealer attempted to diagnose the failure. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 60000. The current mileage was 91000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. Whenever the contact turned the steering wheel in any direction the contact heard a clanking sound in the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 105,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. While the contact was driving 55 MPH he noticed that the engine temperature had risen. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact had the serpentine belt replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 57,000. Updated 3/24/10 *cn the serpentine belt broke while driving. It was apparently caused by frozen bearings in the idler pulley. The rotors were warped and had to be replaced, the power steering pump was replaced due to leakage. Updated 08/11/10
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon which was purchased brand new in july 2005. She stated that the steering wheel on the vehicle was very loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they verified the failure as telescopic steering. The contact was not aware as to what repairs would need to be performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was still in possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was approximately 67,000. The VIN was not accepted.
On my 2005 toyota avalon I heard a noise like a loose tie rod end would make. My car had approximately 55,000 miles on it. I took it in to the toyota dealer and they inspected it to see what the noise was. They told me the noise was from the steering column from not enough grease being put it at the factory. I had to pay for the repair. They also told me this was common for this car. Upon further checking I found this to be true. This would become a safety issue if left go. Please see why they did not recall this car for the problem.
I have a 2005 toyota avalon. I have always had a problem with the telescopic steering wheel lever not holding in place. 6-12 times a year when I stop my vehicle the steering wheel goes forward towards the engine. I look and the telescopic lever has moved down. I am the only one that drives my car and the lever is never adjusted and nothing could be grabbing the lever. I feel this could be a safety hazard.
2005 toyota avalon limited, telescoping steering wheel. The lever to lock the steering wheel in position works itself loose. Then when you are braking the steering wheel will telescope in. It's a very unnerving feeling. I've taken the vehicle in twice for the problem. Toyota said there is no way to repair with replacing the whole steering assembly.
My 2005 toyota avalon developed a noise in the steering. The dealer told me the grease had leaked passed the seals on the intermediate steering shaft. With no grease in the shaft, it will break and cause a loss of steering which could result in an accident or death. Toyota customer service said that since the car has more and 36000 miles and is over 3 years old, the problem is not their responsibility. Grease should not leak pass the seals on the shaft and should be toyota's responsibility to repair. They told me it would cost $562.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. The locking level lever, which controls the steering wheel and moves it up and down, automatically disengages at random. The failure causes the steering wheel to fall onto the driver's lap at any given moment. Through research, the contact found the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v227000 (steering:column). The dealer stated that the locking mechanism needed to be tightened. The steering was tightened, but it did not correct the failure. The failure occurs every 150 miles. The vehicle is still experiencing the defect and has not yet been repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and current mileage was 38,900. Updated 09/01/09
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the steering unit. He called the manufacturer in reference to the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v227000 (steering:column) and was informed that his vehicle exceeded its warranty; therefore, they would not replace the steering column assembly for free under the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 38,853 and current mileage was 41,468. Updated 03/24/09.
My 2005 toyota avalon (touring model) has a defective locking mechanism for the steering column. About every half an hour it will come lose and the steering wheel will drop out of my hands and the lock will jam against my leg, cutting me. I have almost had several accidents. Toyota denies there is a design defect. They have been unable and unwilling to fix the problem. This is a very serious problem that could easily result in death. The locking mechanism is located underneath the steering wheel and easily comes lose simply due to vibration and the effect of gravity on the locking device. The last time toyota claimed they fixed it they claimed that they bent the mechanism so that it would not come lose as easily. This obviously is not a proper method of repairing one of the most important parts of the car.
Steering column is defective per dealer. I noticed a clunking sound and vibration as I was driving. I asked dealer to check it out. They advised me I needed a new steering column at a cost of $1835. They told me it would only get worse if it was not repaired. After several phone calls between me , the dealer and toyota north america regarding warranty and safety issues, I approved the repair. The repair [ replace the steering column] was completed on august 28, 2008 and I have the replaced parts. I paid the bill. I believe that this is safety issue and should be covered by toyota even if the vehicle is 5 months out of warranty.
"maintenance required" light illuminated and I took my vehicle in for service. After mentioning a concern I had, I was called and told that my steering column shaft needed to be replaced. I did not feel any difference in the steering from when I last brought it in before the warranty was up. Now, I have a $600 + bill at 43,000 miles. I've always had toyota's and I have been having quite a few problems of late associated with this vehicle.
Steering column separating as identified in recall yet toyota refuses to repair or replace defective parts. Id 05v227000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. While driving 5-40 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated and he heard clicking noise when turning left or right. The dealer stated that this was a normal occurrence. There is a recall for steering: column (the federal safety agency campaign id #05v227000) however, the dealer stated that his VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 45,000 and current mileage was 54,000. Updated 01/29/08. *lj updated
Steering clunks heard while turning vehicle to the right. Auto purchased used, with manufacturer warrenty and certified by toyota to 84 months or 100,000. Vehichle currently has 14,000 miles.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. The contact heard a thumping noise when parking the vehicle and turning the steering wheel. The dealer stated that the noise was caused by the steering shaft and the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency recall # 05v227000 (steering:column). The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 50,000 and failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 02/01/08.
Steering column make noise when turning to right: service department first replaced right wheel bearing axle. When I said I have seen complaints from others, they replaced steering shaft and joint. Fixed problem
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. The contact stated that the telescoping steering wheel collapsed from the extended position when turning the wheel or driving 45 MPH. The dealer stated that this failure has never before been seen, and wanted to keep the vehicle for six months. They checked the computer and found no recalls. The contact felt the locking lever detached and then the steering wheel descended. Also heard a clicking noise when the lever began to descend. The current mileage is 30,200, and failure mileage was 3,000.
Reporting a problem (noise in steering) with his 2005 toyota avalon. **cc the consumer contacted the dealer who indicated that it would be a few day for the replacement part to arrive. After two weeks the consumer called the dealer again. This time the indicated that the part was on back order.
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