2003 Toyota Camry: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Dec 9, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · MA

"takata recall" - I am experiencing a clicking noise from the steering wheel when turning the wheel to the left & right, the whole dash board shakes when the AC or heat is on, brakes pedal goes all the way to the floor & making sounds, and when you put the car in park it will move forward.

Filed Nov 14, 2014 · Steering · 107,000 miles · CT

Please add me to other camry owners complaining about steering noise, either at rest or driving at any speed, steering to the left or right: clicking sound happens as the steering wheel is turned. The noise is getting louder. Now I have lost the horn, cruise control and the air bag light is on. So, it seems that this problem is affecting some kind of switch in the middle of the steering column! I have checked the fuses which are all fine! Reading all the complaints and realizing that toyota is not owning to the problem with the owners having to pay for the repair, I am truly disappointed. It definitely is a design problem!

Filed Nov 9, 2011 · Steering · OH

I have a 2003 toyota camry le that I bought used in may 2007. I can not tell you how many times I took my car back and forth to the dealership because the steering would make some kind of noise whenever I turned right or left. I was advised by the dealership that there's a plastic part in the steering that gets dry and it has to be lubricated every now and then. Well, needless to say, april 2011 I took it to a mechanic who told me that my rack and pinion is sooo bad and he's only seen this problem one other time. There should be a recall for this problem because the car isn't old enough for this problem to affect the steering this badly. It cost me $553! I do have the steering part in my trunk in case there is a recall.

Filed Feb 7, 2011 · Steering · 37,451 miles · NC

My 2003 toyota camry le with 37,451 miles is experiencing a loud popping noise in the steering mechanism and getting worse. Dealership advised needs intermediate steering shaft. Cost of repair $447.89. Dealership states this is a common problem. This is a potentially dangerous safety defect. Was unable to get any satisfaction through the district or national customer service representatives.

Filed Apr 3, 2009 · Steering · 52,000 miles · MI

I purchased my 2003 toyota camry in august, 2003. Two years later, the steering column started to make noise. Dealer replaced the whole steering column assembly. After 3 and half years, the steering column failed again. I can not believe toyota built this kind of quality vehicle. It totally ruined their reputation. I will never purchase toyota's vehicle any more.

Filed Aug 13, 2008 · Steering · 89,588 miles · IA

My 2003 toyota camry's steering column was making clunking noises as I turned corners so I took it in to have it looked at. It required a complete replacement of the intermediate steering shaft. I've never had to replace a steering assembly on any of my other cars ever....so why would this 89,000 miles, 2003 toyota camry need this part completely replaced? And because it was repaired with a new updated genuine toyota part......doesn't that indicate that toyota knew this part was bad and choose not to issue a recall but pass on the repair issues to the consumer? And what if I hadn't gotten it repaired when I did....I could I have lost steering all together.

Filed Aug 18, 2007 · Steering · TX

My 2003 camry has had a popping sound/feel in the steering wheel. I first noticed it in 2004 and took it to the dealer several times before they could verify the problem. They replaced something in the steering column which solved the problem until about 4 months ago. When I got my car from the dealer I asked if this would be an on-going problem, and the shop manager told me it would not happen again. Well....4 months ago it started popping again. My car is no longer under warranty and I was told it would cost 900.00 to be repaired. I just hope it is nothing going on in the steering column that could cause an accident.

Filed Feb 9, 2007 · Steering · 83,397 miles · CA

Tl*- the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. A popping sound in the steering wheel occurred when turning the wheel in any direction. The failure happened since the vehicle was purchased. Toyota stated that there was an internal memo due to several complaints. The current and failure mileage was 83397. The vehicle was purchased on january 9, 2007.

Filed Dec 11, 2006 · Steering · 40,000 miles · SC

At about 40,000 miles, a knocking sound began to be audible when turning the vehicle in both directions. It is most noticeable when turning the wheels several degrees at low speeds such as in parking. The knock appears to be associated with a slight vibration of the same frequency as the knock and a slight looseness in the steering. The noise and slight jerk in the steering wheel gradually worsened with time, and the car was just beyond the general warranty period when the problem was reported to the dealer. The diagnosis by the dealer was "bad steering column; needs to be replaced". As it was not considered a drive train component, there was no warranty coverage. The cost would have been about $1000 at the time. No repair has yet been done. The knock has continued and at about 80,000 miles a squeaking noise began to accompany the knock. No difficulty steering at normal speed (e.g. Drifting) has been experienced and no abnormal tire wear. The incidence date is the date the squeaking noise was first noticed.

Filed Oct 8, 2006 · Steering · 55,000 miles · NY

Looseness and noise in intermediate steering shaft. Occurs when temperatures above 75 degrees or when vehicle warm from operation. Feeling of loose connection in steering linkage felt in steering wheel. Metal against metal noises heard also. Dealer and toyota refuse to repair this problem even though vehicle under extended warranty coverage and numerous the federal safety agency and toyota tsb's exist for this defect on this year and model vehicle. Incident date is for most recent occurrence. Problem is always there every day.

Filed Mar 2, 2006 · Steering · 36,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while turning, the steering wheel made a grinding noise. An independent repair shop determined the steering wheel needed to be removed and lubricated. Updated 03/20/06.