The contact owns 2006 Toyota Avalon. While driving 65 mph on cruise control the vehicle continued braking on its own. The contact deactivated the cruise control because the brakes continued to engage on their own. When the cruise control was turned off, the vehicle surged forward and almost hit a another vehicle. Two weeks ago the contact surged forward while driving 30 mph. She took the vehicle to the dealer and suggested that it was the computer in the vehicle. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the computer did not have any problems. The contact stated that her steering wheel became stiff several times and the dealer stated that there was nothing wrong with her power steering. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 35000 and the current mileage was 42800.

- Corsicana, TX, USA

This event occurred twice during routine driving. My 2006 Toyota Avalon seemed to have some difficulty straightening the steering wheel out after a turn.

- Lakewood, NJ, USA

I have the same problem with my 2006 Avalon XLS. The steering column will suddenly collapse.

- Whitman, MA, USA

The telescoping steering column lock loosens during normal driving. Usually the lock lever only drops low enough to hit your knees as you exit the car after a drive, but does not loosen enough to release the column telescope. Today it dropped all the way down while I was driving and the column (which I have fully extended normally) collapsed forward (compressed). I lost some vehicle control as I reached down to secure the handle upward. This seems to be a friction device and has no positive locking detent. My wife and daughter have more trouble with it than I do as they cannot force it up as far, so it releases more often. A poor and dangerous design. The dealer wants $79 just to look at it. We have gotten into the habit of checking the lock frequently but whenever we forget it will release the telescope and collapse the wheel unexpectedly after about 2 hours of highway driving. We bought the car new. It is happening about once a week now if we forget to check it. My wife is 65 and does not have the strength to tighten it fully now.

- Waddy, KY, USA

I have begun to notice a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, going forward or in reverse. I am now reading about this happening to other Avalon 2006 owners. The car has 35,000 miles on it and this started showing up at around 30K. At first I thought it was the brake pads knocking, but I'm almost certain it is the steering shaft from what others are describing. It goes in the shop tomorrow for the vvt oil recall fix and I will discuss this unacceptable and perhaps dangerous condition with the Toyota service department.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

Steering was binding on my 2006 Toyota Avalon under slow speed right hand turns. Dealer acknowledged this as a known safety issue with multiple Toyota models but refused to cover any of the cost of repairs.

- Wind Lake, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 65-70 mph on normal road conditions, the steering wheel dropped downward unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The vehicle exceeded the mileage under the warranty coverage and has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 12,000 and current mileage was 44,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was equipped with tilt steering and telescoping steering. While driving, the pressure arm under the steering column which held the telescoping column in place became loose due to a vibration. Updated 02/24/09.

- Valbosta, GA, USA

Steering column telescoping lever drops during normal driving. Fully down (although not visible through steering column) within 2-3 hours driving. Leaves steering wheel with free play during operation. Safety issue.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

I started to notice a clunk when I turned the wheel to the left which I though T was unusual. It concerned me that it sounded like a worn linkage or ball joint and the car had only 21,000 mile on it. Who informed me that there had been a bad lot of a steering linkage part put on certain Avalons that they couldn't identify. Therefore, no recall which disturbed me. I though Toyota was known for outstanding quality! the car now has 26,300 miles and there have been no further issues.

- Dedham, MA, USA