2004 Toyota Tundra steering problems

Filed May 19, 2026 · Steering · NM

1) The newly installed rack & pinion rack locks up and tried to turn right when on a continuous or left turn followed closely by another left turn. 2) My safety and the other drivers near me were all in danger when the loss of steering control occurs. The problem makes the vehicle want to turn hard to the right and the hydraulics are too strong to control the steering. 3) The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, but the problem still exist and is repeatable for any needed inspection. 4) The vehicle has not been inspected by any outside entity, but is available for inspection. The problem still exist and can be confirmed. 5) There are no warning lights or symptoms. When it happens, all of the sudden the truck wants to make a hard right and there is nothing you can do to stop it, other than stop and let go the the steering wheel.

Filed May 26, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · CT

I had the dealer take my truck in for the frame recall. I asked for them to replace the frame because I was not comfortable with how they were handling it. Per the service record they filled in perforations and “undercoated. I did not believe that filling in existing perforations was the safest way to handle this. After brining the truck to a shop to check the steering we were told that they wouldn’t even put it up on a lift. The steering issue was that the rack and pinion steering was literally falling out due to the rusted frame. We drove this vehicle home and parked it. About a week later the spare tire fell out right onto our driveway. Needless to say, I am certain there are many more Toyota trucks out there ready to fall apart on the road. We contacted Toyota corporate several times to try to rectify this mishandling of our recall. We called and sent certified letters. We asked to share the cost of a new frame and they said no. We then had the truck towed to a shop who could do the work. They ordered a frame from Toyota only to be contacted 2 months later saying that the frame was discontinued and they wouldn’t be sending it after all (we were willing to pay fir the frame and install because we had a useless and UNSAFE vehicle. We finally found a shop over an hour away who could rebuild/fabricate the frame and replace the fallen out steering etc. we had that truck towed about 60 miles away to have this work completed. This mishandling of the recall by Toyota and their lack of customer care cost me a whopping $17,000! Again, unsafe Tundras out there for sure. Please advise…this is the 2nd time I’ve filled out this form and never heard anything. Thank you in advance. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Dec 18, 2020 · Body, Steering · 130,000 miles · VA

My vehicle frame has totally rotted out by rust.

Filed Oct 9, 2020 · Body, Steering · OH

Started hearing clunking noise in truck. Made appointment with ase certified mechanic and he asked us to come back to the shop. The structure of the frame that holds the rack and pinion steering and anti-sway bar mount was gone. Both of the tops of the frame of the cross member that goes under the engine was missing. The frame rail under the cab is separating. He advised that this condition was a massive safety issue and that I should contact toyota and advise them. I called a dealership in zanesville and they advised they could not help because it was not a recall and toyota gave me a case number and transferred me to someone else who told me they could not help me. He also got a second opinion from another individual who also said that this is a safety issue that should be addressed by the manufacturer. I have more photos and I now know I can not drive a truck that I spent $24,000 on june of 2019. I am glad I did not wreck my vehicle and hurt my family or anyone else because of this issue. Please help me repair my truck. When we purchased the vehicle the factory undercoating was still in tact and this was not visible underneath.

Filed Apr 16, 2020 · Body, Steering · 180,000 miles · NJ

My vehicle has major frame damage. There are large holes near the front crossmembers on both sides. I was told by toyota that the frame had been sprayed several years earlier. However, the frame has continued to rust severely and the coating has completely flaked off. The representative I spoke to stated that was the only resolution, and that nothing can be done. My case is not the only one. Even the dealer located near me states that this is a well known issue. Several years received new or repaired frames for the same issue. How can it be, that the same generation vehicle one year later is not eligible? My child rode countless times in that vehicle. What if something had happened?

Filed Mar 9, 2019 · Steering · 95,000 miles · FL

Gear shift leaver has detached from steering column. This is the second time this has happened (1st time was in 2011). Repair done then was with factory part. Truck cant be driven & if happens while in any gear other than park can be a safety issue, especially on unlevel parking pad. Appears to be lots of tundra owners on the toyota owner/tundra owner websites experiencing same issue.

Filed Nov 2, 2017 · Steering, Wheels · 204,000 miles · LA

As I was driving on the interstate(I-10) last week all of a sudden my truck began moving to the right then to the left. It went back and forth about 4 times.while it was doing this, I had no control of the truck. Good thing no cars were around me because I would have hit them.

Filed Mar 15, 2017 · Body, Steering · 130,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. While driving 55 MPH, the frame rods fractured due to excessive rust and corrosion. The contact temporarily lost steering function. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Jun 22, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 176,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. The contact stated that there was an electrical failure in the vehicle. The horn, door locks, power windows, and all other electrical components except the alarm malfunctioned. The horn sounded while the vehicle was in motion and parked. The contact also stated that the steering wheel made a loud noise while driving. The seat belt warning light was the only light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact felt that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The dealer and manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not under warranty and the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The failure mileage was 176,000. Updated 08/16/16*lj consumer stated I feel this is a safety issue related to steering column and related parts including airbag-dealer steering is not related to safety concerns- I feel this can result in accident by losing. Steering consulting control resulting in possible injury to myself/ and others on the road regardless of the mileage consumer's vehicle had the dealer appeared not to be concerned about safety. Updated 6/18/18

Filed Oct 5, 2015 · Steering · 160,000 miles · MD

Toyota has a recall for excessive rust and they did undercoat my truck. Yesterday when I pulled into my driveway I heard a squealing sound from under the hood. I checked and found my power steering fluid was low. I looked under the truck and saw a puddle. Further investigation showed that the steering rack has rusted through and power steering fluid streams out when you turn the steering wheel.