2007 Toyota Tacoma steering problems

Filed May 7, 2022 · Steering · HI

Steering has developed a clunk at low speeds. Appears intermediate shaft is bad. Dealer wants over 500 to replace. Online it is a very common problem. The steering shaft goes bad ..how much more dangerous can you get?

Filed Mar 22, 2021 · Steering · VA

Steering suddenly got very stiff. Dangerous think its the ujoint.been this way about a week

Filed Feb 19, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 60,000 miles · WA

A winter storm hit my area and I needed to engage my four wheel drive, the four wheel drive wouldn't engage. The indicator light on the dash would only flash. My truck only went a short distance before getting stuck on the road leaving me stranded.

Filed May 7, 2020 · Steering · 211,000 miles · MD

I've noticed my steering became very hard and stiff all of a sudden. I've checked the power steering pump and fluid, it all checked out fine. I did a little research and noticed people having issues with steering intermediate shaft no 2. (lower one by the wheels). I noticed that part was not protected by anything and is and was exposed to the elements like salt, water, dirt etc. Overtime, the u-joint rusts up and starts to stick causing very dangerous conditions for the driver where it becomes very hard to turn the steering wheel when turning. I've attached a photo of my part in question. My toyota dealership wants $700.00 for parts and labor. That is outrageous.

Filed Feb 21, 2020 · Steering · 131,000 miles · AL

Stiff steering. Same as this post: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stiff-steering.122153/page-2

Filed Aug 2, 2019 · Steering · 62,000 miles · PR

This truck has 12 years and 62,000 miles on it. I was making a u-turn last week, and when I finished the turn I heard the noise of something breaking. Then a clanking noise of metal on metal started to sound from under the steering column while turning the wheel and running over bumps. I also noticed excessive play on the turn of the steering wheel and vibration when driving above 50mph. I am a licensed auto tech and between the noise and the play determined that the truck was not safe to drive. I proceeded to diagnose the problem and found out that the mid steering shaft was worn out. The part connects the lower section of the steering column thru the firewall in the engine compartment to reach the rack and pinion assembly. The failed part is composed of two small shafts joined together by a rubber disk that acts as a damper. The shafts have a small metal base and in the section of the steering column it has a small u-joint. The small bases connect in two places at right angles to the rubber disk but the lower small shaft goes thru the center of the rubber disk and thru the center of base of the small u joint. At that point there is a plastic bushing that fills the gap between the two metals. That bushing broke and is the cause of the play and noise along a deteriorated rubber disk (see photos). This part has deteriorated over time and the rubber and plastic have degraded. I replaced the part but it has the same design and will fail again in the future. Many people fix the problem by filling the gap with zip ties as I found out searching the web. My main concern is that two pieces of the part are hold together by a rubber disk that deteriorates over time and if it breaks, the driver can loose directional control of the vehicle causing an accident. Also due to the high cost of repair, many people make mods to make the part work creating more hazards.

Filed May 20, 2019 · Steering · 130,000 miles · MA

The intermediate steering shaft u joint rusts and causes the steering to stiffen unexpectedly. I know there are technical service bulletins put out by toyota, it is disappointing that automobile company's are not held accountable by the federal safety agency, since this is a safety issue.

Filed Mar 27, 2019 · Steering · 145,000 miles · OH

Steering is very hard to steer dealer wants 600.00 to fix a steering shaft I don't think its right should be a re call on this truck before some one gets killed.

Filed Feb 19, 2019 · Body, Steering · 137,531 miles · DE

I own a 2007 toyota tacoma. It's frame has been inspected by my local toyota dealer (hertrich) three separate times for rust to the frame. It received a rust inhibitor coating on 1/16/15. It was inspected again on 12/21/17 and 1/3/19. During the 1/3/19 inspection, the dealer conducted a multi-point inspection. My truck's steering components and steering linkage were inspected. It received a green check by the dealer, the highest rating. On 2/7/19, just one month after the inspection, my power steering failed while I was driving. I was able to make it safely to my local mechanic. My truck's rack and pinion steering system had heavy corrosion, and most of the power steering fluid had leaked. My mechanic replaced the rack and pinion steering system. It was heavily corroded. My mechanic said he had never seen one this corroded. Please see attached photographs of my corroded power steering rack. Toyota has refused to apply a second coat of the rust inhibitor to my truck's frame, even though I have new rust coming through the previous treatment. Now, rust and corrosion to my power steering rack, exactly where it attaches to the truck frame, had massive corrosion, causing a total failure of the power steering system. I have checked toyota forums, and this problem is common with other toyota tacoma owners. Please force toyota to properly address the corrosion issues with it's tacoma trucks. The rust inhibitor that was applied to my truck's frame in january of 2015 has failed. The truck's frame, and components attached to the frame, continue to rust and corrode, causing danger to me, my family, and other motorists. Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Steering · 129,000 miles · CO

I have had issues with the steering being incredibly too stiff. There is no return once the steering wheel has reached past 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock on the wheel. I have done some research and it looks like the intermediate steering shaft is the issue and has been commonly reported. I do not understand why this has not been recalled as the steering is incredibly difficult to turn and can cause serious problems with being able to control the vehicle. If the part is faulty that was installed, why has this not been brought up as a warranty recall. This is incredibly frustrating that this could be a seriously detrimental issue that has not been addressed.