The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. He stated that while driving at 65 mph when the steering wheel collapsed to his knees he then had to pull over to check and fix it; however, it continued to occur. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they did not acknowledge the problem. This failure has occurred 10 additional times since the dealer attempted to diagnose the failure. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 60000. The current mileage was 91000.

- Rocky Mount , NC, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. Whenever the contact turned the steering wheel in any direction the contact heard a clanking sound in the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 105,000.

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

On my 2005 Toyota Avalon I heard a noise like a loose tie rod end would make. My car had approximately 55,000 miles on it. I took it in to the Toyota dealer and they inspected it to see what the noise was. They told me the noise was from the steering column from not enough grease being put it at the factory. I had to pay for the repair. They also told me this was common for this car. Upon further checking I found this to be true. This would become a safety issue if left go. Please see why they did not recall this car for the problem.

- Branson West, MO, USA

I have a 2005 Toyota Avalon. I have always had a problem with the telescopic steering wheel lever not holding in place. 6-12 times a year when I stop my vehicle the steering wheel goes forward towards the engine. I look and the telescopic lever has moved down. I am the only one that drives my car and the lever is never adjusted and nothing could be grabbing the lever. I feel this could be a safety hazard.

- Circleville, OH, USA

2005 Toyota Avalon limited, telescoping steering wheel. The lever to lock the steering wheel in position works itself loose. Then when you are braking the steering wheel will telescope in. It's a very unnerving feeling. I've taken the vehicle in twice for the problem. Toyota said there is no way to repair with replacing the whole steering assembly.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

My 2005 Toyota Avalon developed a noise in the steering. The dealer told me the grease had leaked passed the seals on the intermediate steering shaft. With no grease in the shaft, it will break and cause a loss of steering which could result in an accident or death. Toyota customer service said that since the car has more and 36000 miles and is over 3 years old, the problem is not their responsibility. Grease should not leak pass the seals on the shaft and should be Toyota's responsibility to repair. They told me it would cost $562.

- Canton, GA, USA

My 2005 Toyota Avalon (touring model) has a defective locking mechanism for the steering column. About every half an hour it will come lose and the steering wheel will drop out of my hands and the lock will jam against my leg, cutting me. I have almost had several accidents. Toyota denies there is a design defect. They have been unable and unwilling to fix the problem. This is a very serious problem that could easily result in death. The locking mechanism is located underneath the steering wheel and easily comes lose simply due to vibration and the effect of gravity on the locking device. The last time Toyota claimed they fixed it they claimed that they bent the mechanism so that it would not come lose as easily. This obviously is not a proper method of repairing one of the most important parts of the car.

- Henderson, NV, USA

Steering column is defective per dealer. I noticed a clunking sound and vibration as I was driving. I asked dealer to check it out. They advised me I needed a new steering column at a cost of $1835. They told me it would only get worse if it was not repaired. After several phone calls between me, the dealer and Toyota North America regarding warranty and safety issues, I approved the repair. The repair [ replace the steering column] was completed on August 28, 2008 and I have the replaced parts. I paid the bill. I believe that this is safety issue and should be covered by Toyota even if the vehicle is 5 months out of warranty.

- Claremont, CA, USA

Steering clunks heard while turning vehicle to the right. Auto purchased used, with manufacturer warrenty and certified by Toyota to 84 months or 100,000. Vehichle currently has 14,000 miles.

- Bloomington, IL, USA

Reporting a problem (noise in steering) with his 2005 Toyota Avalon. * the consumer contacted the dealer who indicated that it would be a few day for the replacement part to arrive. After two weeks the consumer called the dealer again. This time the indicated that the part was on back order.

- Lynbrook, NY, USA

Transmission lags then jumps forward, transmission slips at low speeds never seems to find a gear. Steering at speeds below 40 will jerk left or right depending on the road.(scares you to death) brakes have grabbed and jerked the car from day one the dealership ground the rotors to fix this but it has not resolved the problem. The car has had the power steering hose replaced because it leaked and it still does. The cd player skip while your parked, the steering wheel needed to be replaced. We have had this car in to the dealer 5 times with none of the problems to the brakes, transmission, or steering resolved.

- Saint George, UT, USA

I have a 2005 Toyota Avalon purchased new in April,2005.I also have an earlier complaint, ODI#10119869, regarding having to re sauder radio speaker wires, replacing the bushings and lower sub frame, as well as air conditoning, steering, and radio problems all occurring in the first 33 miles of owning the new car.I accidentally filed it under a Toyota Scion for Toyota Corp. Please see that compliant also.. this complaint is about the transmission. It seems to not want to get out of first gear.getting onto the the freeway is terrible, as well as driving in slow traffic. I have taken it into the dublin Toyota dealership and they said there is nothing wrong, it's just that the sensory computer in the car knows how I drive and the gears follow my driving habits. They said they reset it, that maybe when the car was test driven, it set itself to another driver. They said to drive it easy for the first 50 miles, then normally after that. Well, before I even drove off thier lot, it stuck again-but I had to go to work so I called them as soon as I got to work and have to take it back in again. The real safety issue occurred yesterday, when I was the first car waiting at a train crossing for about 3 minutes while the train was passing. Afetr it passed, as I was crossing the tracks, it took about 15 seconds for the car to move, again stuck and reving in low gear!I have almost been rear ended on freeway entrances, red lights turning to green, andnd numerours other times, and now on train tracks!!!!something has to be done- I also have compliined to the dealership about noises when steering and they said it is just the release of the brakes.since I cannnot duplicate it, they say there is nothing I can do- it is not the brakes because it happens when I am making sharp turns.

- San Ramon, CA, USA