2005 Toyota Corolla steering problems

Filed Mar 11, 2025 · Brakes, Steering · VA

Complaint Against Ben Nielsen Skyline Automotive – Faulty Repairs & Lack of Response I am filing a complaint regarding incomplete and faulty repairs performed on my household’s 2005 Toyota Corolla CE at Ben Nielsen Skyline Automotive on November 22, 2024 (Invoice #1 attached) and January 3, 2025 (Invoice #2 attached). During my first visit, the mechanic identified an oil leak, added dye to locate the source, and instructed me to return after 100 miles for further repairs. I followed these instructions and returned on January 3, 2025, when the shop also adjusted the tie rod and installed new rear brakes. At the time, I trusted that the work had been completed to a professional standard and that my vehicle was safe to drive. However, during a visit to Shirlington Shell on February 22, 2025, for an unrelated inspection (Invoice #3 attached), their mechanic raised serious concerns about the quality of repairs done by Ben Nielsen Skyline Automotive: - The tie rod adjustment was not completed properly, which the second mechanic stated made the car potentially unsafe to drive (video evidence available upon request). - The fluid leak was not fully resolved. - The rear brakes installed by Ben Nielsen Skyline Automotive are making noise, suggesting they were not installed correctly. These issues indicate that the repairs I paid for were either incomplete or improperly performed, leading to safety concerns and additional costs to diagnose and correct the problems. After discovering these faults, I made multiple attempts to contact Ben Nielsen Skyline Automotive via phone and email to request a resolution, including a full reimbursement for the tie rod adjustment, fluid leak repair, and rear brake installation. Unfortunately, my email messages and calls have gone unanswered, leaving me no choice but to escalate this matter.

Filed Jan 18, 2016 · Steering · 112,000 miles · TX · crash · 3 injuries

While I was going into a right turn the vehicle keep going in a straight line losing all controls, the brakes did not engage causing the car to slam into the curb. I have been driving for 35 years and this has never happened to me while driving.

Filed Dec 9, 2015 · Steering · 125,272 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota corolla. While driving 20 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 125,272.

Filed May 27, 2014 · Steering · 54,200 miles · CO

My car only has 54000 miles and since last 2-3 weeks, its steering wheel has become so stiff. We did the power steering flush at 33,000 miles (as recommended in the owner manual) and it was working fine until this month. Based upon the online research, this seems to be a common problem with the 2005 corollas. I believe this is a hardware problem and toyota should fix this under warranty.

Filed Apr 18, 2013 · Acceleration, Airbags · 50,000 miles · TX · crash · 3 injuries

My husband bought my 2005 corolla as a wedding gift. It was slightly used but bought from one of the best toyota dealerships in our town. It had approx. 18000 miles when I got t in feb of 2007. It was very basic and a standard. The shifting/clutch never seemed right from the start but I learned how to deal with it. In feb of 2010, I was leaving work and was a few miles from home. I had never in my many years of driving had a wreck. The truck ahead of me came to an abrupt stop and as I tried to brake,my car seemed to speed up and went right up under the truck. The whole front end smashed right up to the windshield yet the airbag did not deploy. Insurance deemed it a total loss but it was right at the point where I still owed as much as the pay off so they went ahead and fixed it. I was out a lot of money. The second wreck just occurred on march 15,2013. I was driving home from a family members residence in the country and was traveling on deserted roads at about 3:30 am. I went around an s curve that I grew up driving so it I was very familiar. I tried to slow down,but again seemed to accelerate. I over corrected and ran thru a ditch and completely threw a metal fence. Again. The airbag,which always had the light on as if ready to deploy,did not go off. I was hurt very badly and apparently blacked out for a good while. This time the insurance deemed it a total loss and we are waiting on a settlement from our insurance plus I hurt my knee and am meeting with a surgeon next week. That car was nothing but trouble and I am happy to b rid of it but feel we all deserve justice for all the many errors toyota has given this vehicle.

Filed Jul 12, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 44,117 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota corolla equipped with yokohama avid-ascend tires. The contact stated that while the husband was driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel started to vibrate. The failure only occurred while driving at high speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed no failure. The failure continued. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the second time and the dealer diagnosed that the failure was associated with the tires. The tires were replaced, but the failure continued. The tire manufacturer was notified and agreed to replace the tires. The failure continued to occur at high speeds. ..updated 08/21/2012 *js updated 08/23/12

Filed Jan 10, 2011 · Engine, Steering · 137,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota corolla. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH when the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to turn. The vehicle began to veer off into another lane and the contact stated that the engine began to exhibit signs if it were going to stall. Once the engine recovered, the steering wheel shifted and turned the vehicle back into its original lane. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis. The failure and current mileage was 137,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2010 · Steering · 26,000 miles · MD

When reaching highway speeds (50 MPH and above) the steering loses some control. Becomes wobbily and can shift and jolt right to left suddenly.

Filed Mar 3, 2010 · Steering · PA

When driving my corolla on the highway, in windy conditions, it is very hard to keep the car in lane and the driving is very dangerous.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Steering, Suspension · 29,327 miles · CA · crash

I was driving down the 210 fwy going east. I was driving in the fast lane and there was a big rig to the right of my vehicle traveling in the same direction. Out of no where my car began fish tailing. I was fighting hard with my steering wheel as to avoid colliding with the big rig next to me. I nearly regained control of the vehicle, and again out of no where my car began fish tailing violently worse than before. At that time I was unable to regain control of the car. My steering wheel pulled hard to the left, spinning my car around into the carpool lane impacting the front right passenger side into the center divider and bouncing off causing the rear of my car to swing and hit the center divider a second time . The car then came to a stop leaving my car facing oncoming traffic. I was able to get across the lanes and pull my car off of the freeway. As there were no injuries and no other vehicles were involved a tow truck was called to have the car towed since the damages were too extent for the car to drive. There has never been another occurrence of the car fishtailing out of control with no explanation. Damages to the vehicle were repaired through the insurance company.