2006 Toyota Avalon steering problems

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 153,189 miles · CA

On june 7, 2019, I was driving the avalon, the engine suddenly stopped while I was driving the vehicle on city street. With the loss of power steering and brakes, I was traumatized and did my best to guide the vehicle to side of the road. I had the vehicle towed home and hooked up to a code reader, which yielded codes p0345, p0300, p0302, p0304, p0306. We did further diagnostics and discovered the 3 bolts that hold the variable-valve timing (vvt) gear to the intake camshaft came loose, these bolts are supposed to be temper-resistant and never be removed which LED me to believe the result of engine dying is caused by serious manufacturing and design defects. Please refer to attached three pictures showing 3 bolts laying next to vvt gear, vvt gear loosely held on and the vibration of bolt left cutting mark on the gear, and all intake cam rockers falling out. I did more research and concluded the root cause of engine stopped while the vehicle is being driven in our avalon is identical to toyota safety recall 13v‑395 in lexus vehicles 2006 to 2011. Please find attached two documents, rcrit-13v395-3180.pdf on recent recall for toyota safety recall 13v‑395, rcdnn-13v395-1839.pdf on defect information report from toyota to the federal safety agency on lexus intake-side variable-valve timing (vvt) system part 573. On june 27, 2019, I called stevens creek toyota and toyota hq and logged case [xxx]. I was informed by toyota there's no recall for avalon with the VIN, and the vehicle had no factory warranty (currently 153k miles), and no extended warranty with engine stall for avalon. As a result, we need to repair the vehicle in our own expense which requires engine rebuilt as engine stall has caused severe damage to the vehicle. I was appalled by toyota for lack of initiation to address the safety risk in our avalon and we appreciate your thorough investigation in this matter. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 20, 2016 · Steering · 78,150 miles · IL

Had to replace entire rack and pinion assembly

Filed Feb 17, 2015 · Steering · FL

Issues I've complained about for year to toyota only to find out now toyota was aware of them all along there were recalls & service bulletin. That should have covered my toyota issue the information below came from sites toyota issued this warning too. The recall for steering column was on 2005 mine is a early model 2006 with the exact same safety issue. The resolve for me is that toyota fix the vehicle and not try and hold me responsible for half the cost as the are now doing. My car has been cared for only by toyota service since the day it was purchase from toyota new in 2006, the district manager for toyota [xxx] made the call not to honor this safety issue service bulletin no.: 00306 component(s): steering the federal safety agency id number: 10019689 vehicle make/model year(s)toyota avalon2005-2006 vehicle slight pull/drift feeling improvement procedure. *tt toyota: a new adjustment lever detent clip was developed to correct the looseness of securing the telescopic on steering column for some vehicles. Model 2005-2012 avalon. *pe item affected: steering: column date announced: 05/18/2005 description of recall: on certain passenger vehicles, the steering yoke was not welded to the steering shaft. If the vehicle is operated in this condition, there is a possibility that the yoke may come off from the information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Steering · 81,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota avalon. The contact stated that the adjustable steering wheel would not lock securely. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed May 9, 2014 · Steering · 25,000 miles · NJ

The steering column telescopic adjustment lever has "slipped out of its locked position" for at least several years. This is the problem that toyota just issued the "warranty enhancement" for, and while I am grateful for that, I resent their saying "...the majority of vehicles will not experience this condition." from what I understand from other avalon owners, this is not an isolated problem.

Filed Nov 14, 2012 · Steering · 100,000 miles · NJ

Telescoping steering wheel collapses while driving creating hazardous condition. Friction release doesn't stay locked, and driver must check it regularly while driving.

Filed Jul 26, 2012 · Engine, Steering · 88,360 miles · MD

On 03/22/2010 toyota replaced a vvti oil hose under recall # 90k because the rubber portion of the hose was subject to failure that would cause the engine oil to spay out. On 07/24/2012 the replacement hose ruptured causing engine oil to spray out. The engine oil soaked the serpentine belt which is attached to the power steering pump as well as other components. This caused a loss of steering control which nearly caused an accident.

Filed Jan 13, 2012 · Steering · 42,000 miles · IN

My 2006 toyota avalon(touring) has a loud knocking/clunking noise when turning steering wheel at low speeds. Dealer said this was a problem with the 2006 avalons and can be fixed by replacing the steering column at a cost of $700-800. Car had 42k miles just out of warranty and offered no toyota help until I told him I had an extended warranty with toyota repair was made. 15k-20k later ,same problem. Second steering column replaced.15k-20k later..same problem..dealer lub the linkage,15k-20k later same problem,dealer lub the linkage again. At 98000,same problem,my toyota warranty had expired at 96k and the dealer wanted $800 to replace the steering column,his cost amount.area toyota repr.said it was not a safety issue ,more of a nuisance factor. Should be a toyota recall to find the fix. Just replied to a toyota survey. Have not replaced the steering column..waiting for an update on the survey. Likely will not be contacted.

Filed Jan 7, 2012 · Steering · 63,663 miles · NV

My 2006 toyota avalon steering wheel was getting stuck when I turned the car on. I would have to have to try and turn the wheel in order for it to release. Additionally the car was leaking fluid. On september 23, 2010 I brought the car into the toyota dealer who identified the problem as "steering rack leaking from right side causing subframe to be wet with power steering fluid. Replace the steering rack and align". So at a cost of $1338.85 the steering rack was replaced. I agree that this is a problem that toyota should have issued a recall to fix since they knew about it since 2004 and have issued various service bulletins on subject. On january 7, 2012 I brought the car back to the toyota dealership because I am still experiencing an oil leak that has gotten worse. I have brought the car in numerous times for this issue with no resolution. Now they are telling me that there is a leak at two return hosed in the power steering column and are charging $500 for replacement and repair. So now in a year and half I have spent approximately $2000 to repair the steering on a fairly new car. Why has there not been a recall for this 2006 avalon steering issue. Apparently toyota has never rectified the problem with the steering and continues to make money on substandard, dangerous products. This is the seventh toyota that I have owned and the only one that I have had problems with and recalls for. You would think that for the cost of this car, you would get better quality. I may have to reconsider buying toyotas in the future if this is the quality of car they are producing. This is not the only issue that I have had to date. I have also gone on-line and researched this issue and have found that there are many 2006 toyota avalon owners experiencing the same issue.

Filed Sep 21, 2011 · Electrical, Steering · 36,561 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota avalon. The contact was driving approximately 20 MPH when the rear end of the vehicle swerved unexpectedly. In addition, the vsc and check engine warning indicator began to illuminate until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and the ignition coil was replaced. One year later, the failure recurred and a different ignition coil was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 36,561. Kmj