Steering is stiff and jerky causing driving concerns at all speeds. Problem is intermittent making it an issue as can occur at any time. Not power steering related.
2009 Toyota Tacoma steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 39 of 39, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Steering shaftknuckle is exposed and corrodes resulting in stiff steering. Starts out intermittent then gets realy hard to turn, truck has only 62269 miles on it and this is a comman problem with this vechice ,no recall and after repair vechile has to be realigned and at a total cost of $567.58 all work done
Steering is locking up when I turn very dangerous!!! Should be a recall before someone is killed!!!!
Power steering assist seemed intermittent. The power steering lower shaft at the universal joint has become corroded making steering difficult (to overcome the corrosion) as well as dangerous when further corrosion leads to steering failure. Many on-line forums make note of this problem. It appears to be a systematic design flaw that can lead to dangerous consequences. Imagine losing steering control at high speed. Since toyota is addressing frame rust for the same year, with either a replacement frame or a protective coating, why isn't this of equal concern on some kind of recall. It looks like I've addressed the issue with a $600 repair to protect my safety, however as this is a known problem, why is it not a voluntary or mandatory recall to address this dangerous condition. This condition started the day after the truck was returned to me after getting the frame undercoating. This condition happens at any speed, left or right turns, when cold or warmed up. It is most notable when cold at slow speed (first started up, turning around in the driveway).
Steering was very stiff and steering wheel would not return after cornering causing the truck to continue in the wrong direction. The steering is stiffer in some positions than in others.
The welds lower control arm mount on the driver side failed when I applied the brakes at high speed and almost caused an accident and almost completely removed my wheel and the lower control arm from the car.
Stiff steering. Steering shaft knuckle is exposed and corrodes resulting in the stiff steering. Starts outs as intermittent. Occurs at any speed, turning right or left, all environmental conditions. Very unsafe. Widely known issue
Problem with turning left and right, very stiff, like there was a problem with the power steering. Brought it to my mechanic, he had to install the lower steering shaft. He called are local dealer for the part, they said it is a common problem, they just sold 3 that day. My question is if this is a common problem, why isn't toyota talking care of this! This is a safety issue! This ended up costing me $400. Very unfair, there needs to be a recall before someone gets hurt.
The universal joint on the intermediate shaft became corroded, causing the joint to bind and cause steering to become extremely stiff.
The lower steering linkage u joint (intermediate steering shaft) failed due to simple rust. It is unprotected and open to the elements and the failure nearly caused an accident. The symptoms were extreme hard steering and almost caused me to drive off the road going around a corner. This was a sudden issue, not a gradual problem and occurred at all driving speeds. My vehicle only had 100,000 miles on it.
Intermediate steering shaft problem seems like the power steering stops working. The problem seems to be less when there is weight in back of truck.
Steering is getting stiff, especially at lower speeds, tighter turns. Caused by corrosion getting into the u joint of the lower intermediate steering shaft. Poor design, does not protect from weather / road conditions.
Steering shaft bound up this am and I almost killed myself and another persn in the other car called dealer he said it is common problem and they change them daily. He said toyota is aware but feels its not a problem vehicle was in motion when it happened as I was turning it locked up . This is a dangerous situation and idealer knew exactly what was wrong. I went online and typed in tacoma steering binds and there are a lot of complaints. The service manager told me the ujoint og the steering shaft is exposed to all the elements and it is as common as the toyota rusty frame recall.. Someone is going to get killed with this problem.
New brunswick canada bought the 2009 toyota tachoma 4x4 extended cab-off road truck last may 2-16 at saint john toyota and shortly after noticed that some times the steering would get stiff and it felt like manual steering. I took it back to the dealership and was told that there was noting wrong. When on the highway and coming to a turn I grip the wheel with 2 hands and back of on the gas. In march I had the front shaft changed and on april 7th I had a new rack and pinion and pressure line from steering pump and steel lines on the pump replaced it cost me $1,200.00. I drove about 20 kilometers and the steering worked great and I shut it off and when I started home it went stiff again. I'm have been afraid that if seizes up I'll be off the road or have a head on collision. The day I bought the truck I was informed by a toyota employee that they had just received a recall on the rear leaf springs and they replaced them that day. If you are not the first owner does anyone from toyota contact you?
I was going into a turn all of a sudden the steering got very stiff I had a hard time steering the truck. I almost hit a guardrail. Had a mechanic check the truck. He found out the universal joint on the steering was very stiff. He was surprised toyota has no boot covering this like gm does. He clean the universal and covered with a grease. Now when the stiffens comes back I spray with a penetrating oil then re-grease the steering universal. I have done a google search and this has been an ongoing problem with toyota. I am surprised their is no recall or any major accidents yet.
Steering very stiff, does not return to center, locks up, fails to maintain direction. The universal joint on the steering column-steering gear is not protected from the elements (road salt, water, etc.) and has seized, causing the steering to lock up and leading to a minor accident.
Steering becomes intermittently 'stiff'. Complaint has been documented many times by owners on forums and other on-line sites. Apparently this is a design issue that allows the lower steering joint to suffer accelerated corroded by normal use. Dealers and toyota do not acknowledge it is a manufacturing issue that can cause/create safety issues with the vehicle. Problem occurs intermittently at any speed of can also occur when attempting to turn steering wheel when vehicle is stopped. Problem is intermittent and various degrees of severity.
Lack of alignment during toyota safety recall e02 / the federal safety agency recall id 14v 604 I am concerned with the lack of vehicle alignment as an included part of e02 post replacement of the rear spring packs. When the rear springs are removed from the vehicle, the rear axle often shifts such that is it no longer in the same position as it was previously installed. Thus the vehicle is no longer properly aligned, as front toe is set based on the thrust angle of the rear axle. The thrust angle is derivative of the alignment of the axle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and creates a moment about the yaw axis of the vehicle. Re-alignment of the front of the vehicle provides corrective measure by setting front wheel toe to account for the position of the rear axle, thus ensuring the vehicle tracks correctly and is stable during dynamic maneuvers. When the tacoma first entered the servicing dealer it was confirmed to be correctly aligned. However, the pre-alignment numbers on the hunter expressalign sheet show that the rear axle position after performing e02 has shifted -0.15 [iso] about its vertical axis relative to the position prior to rear spring replacement. Failure to have the tacoma realigned would have resulted in the need to counter-steer the vehicle to maintain a straight trajectory during normal operation. It is unacceptable that the customer should be expected to bear the burden of cost for the alignment, when it is necessitated by the corrective actions prescribed by toyota during e02. Failure to re-align vehicles becomes a safety concern, namely due to uneven tire wear and the potential for instability of the vehicle due to misaligned axles causing the vehicle to increase tendencies to over-steer. I am disappointed in toyota's apparent disregard for owner safety and feel this is an issue that should be addressed with urgency.
Vehicle has 91k mileage 4x4 all highway miles. Backed out of my driveway and could not turn wheel. Checked fluid but it was fine. Attempted again and got on local road only to find truck uncontrollable at any speed. Saw another complaint on this after I got vehicle towed back to my house and decided to file complaint. My truck never had an issue like this before now. It is definitely unsafe to drive and toyota appears to have other tacoma owners with the same issue that could be fatal if it happens when driving at 65 MPH let alone at slower speeds on curves. I will not let my family drive the truck because the steering is so unreliable. Please let me know if toyota will repair this under a recall or other camps in. Vin is [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Steering , I bought a new 2009 tacoma with the platnum warranty and the steering is now not working, I feel that this is unsafe and is difficult to drive. I called the number to tell them that I brought it to a dealer (vanderstyne toyota rochester ny) to see what the problem was and that I was told I needed to pay 130.00 for diagnostic fees to see what the problem was with it and that they would not even look at it to see what the problem is. This vehicle does not seem safe to drive. I see there are many recalls on toyota steering problems and I am forced to contact an attorney to see if this is legal action
Experienced difficulty steering, checked and found power steering fluid to be low, with no evidence of leaks. Problem continued and got worse when the vehicle was warm, went to mechanic an diagnosis was failed steering rack, fluid had collected in the rubber boot ends. My mechanic has seen this numerous times with toyotas (as he has one himself). Corrosion of the metal was cause due to lack of protection from the elements. Toyota saved s few dollars at the expense of safety. No recall yet but there should be, steering being an essential component of driving.
Vehicle steering is unsafe, the steering wheel sometimes doesn't return back to center on turns and steers very hard . When I inspected the vehicle the universal joint on the steering shaft is binding. The part is called intermediate steering shaft #2. This is very dangerous due to unpredictable steering and also if it fails at a high rate of speed. There should be a safety recall.
Tacoma corrosion issue - metal high pressure tube on rack and pinion unit developed a hole draining the power steering system of fluid resulting in difficulty controlling the vehicle.
I was coming into a right handed corner on dry pavement doing 45mph (less than the suggested speed for the corner). As I let off the throttle and turned into the corner the vehicles stability control kicked in causing the truck to go straight. I had to fight against the steering wheel and managed to overpower the stability control but by then I was in the on-coming lane.
After purchasing the vehicle, in sept 2011, I had my truck for only a few weeks and I was driving and hit a small bump and heard as well as felt a loud thump coming from the steering column area, I also noticed my bed was moving a little as well. I brought the truck into the dealership as soon as I heard the issue, but the dealership said they didn't hear or feel anything. Now when I hit any bump (big/small) I can literally see the bed on my truck move in my side mirrors, the issues are progressing and my truck is still under warranty and I want these issues fixed asap, esp since its still under warranty . Extremely harsh ride, and feeling unsafe to drive, needs to be fixed asap.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that he was driving 40 MPH and lost control of the vehicle, causing him to crash into a guard rail. The steering wheel broke off before the air bag deployed. The contact suffered head injuries and was the only occupant in the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital by another person. The police were notified and a report was available if needed. The vehicle was then towed to an auto body shop. The insurance company was also notified. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Steering gearbox seal failure requiring replacement of the rack and pinion.
My tacoma has a constant shimmy in the steering wheel. My mechanic and toyota service have tried balancing, alignments and road-force testing, but nothing works to eliminate the shake. It is at it's worst when I first accelerate to cruising speed after the truck has sat for eight hours. At these times it is an approximately a 1/4 inch shimmy in the wheel, and is quite a violent shake. It seems to dissipate after a while, but the shimmy never goes away completely. It exists with both my all-season tires, and my snow tires.
Front end wobbles. Dealer has tried to fix this at least 3 times.
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