After continued usage steering becomes stiff and turning becomes very difficult. This then possess a safety risk to not only the driver but other drivers. The cause is failure of the intermediate steering shaft. Toyota has recalled 170,000+ 2018 Camrys because of this - https://www.tsbsearch.com/Toyota/22TE02, but it is clear as per my incident and other online forums, there are 2018 Carmys that have not been recalled where the intermediate steering shaft fails without notice. When the dealership was called, they said they were well aware of the problem and stated they would order the part even before my car was taken to the shop, even though the repair was not covered under my VIN. The dealership replaced the intermediate steering shaft at a cost to me. There were no warning lights or other symptoms prior to the failure. The failure first appeared around March 27th, 2023.

- Erie, PA, USA

Steering wheel hard, to turn

- Florence , KY, USA

I don't know why

- Bethesda , MD, USA

I was driving down the road on interstate at 70 mph and my 2018 Toyota Camry SE warning message steering power low alarm and one to two seconds later my steering wheel pulled violently to the right barely missing truck in right lane by inches. I was in center lane. I was fortunate it was not rush hour and no vehicles were in back of the truck in his right lane where the car was steered. Toyota dealer was approximately one mile and half way. I went to the far right emergency lane driving slowly and arrive at dealer. Service manager drove the car around the parking lot and said I had steering failure and will need to replace rack and pinion parts. The car had approximately 30,500 miles only. I am fortunate my car was at the rear of the truck back tires when this happened. This is was a very close near miss. Toyota has been of no help in this matter wanting me to pay $3700 dollars for repairs. A set of tires last longer than this rack and pinion. How safe can a car be if you can not reply on your steering.?

- Urbandale, IA, USA

Steering became stiff to the point driving was an issue. Dealer said it was a know problem in model. Replaced steering shaft column due to binding at drivers expense.

- Groton, MA, USA

Steering feels stiff at a certain point while turning. Sometimes its worst and sometimes its showing no problem. No any warning light and 1st time the dealership does not identify what was the issue. After couple of week it was getting worst. So I went again to the dealership and then they said had to replace "intermediate steering shaft". Cost nearly 500-600$.

- Columbia , MO, USA

Steering became very tight and thus the Power Steering had drag in it and needed immediate repairing. We felt compromised and felt it was a Safety issue, which the dealer that I am having repair the problem did not know of other reports of this problem. I had heard this problem has happen to others with the 2018 Toyota Camry.

- North Brunswick, NJ, USA

I have had issues with the breaks since I purchased the vehicle. The first recall I got the vacuum pump replaced. I still have the same issue. I have been having the break issue but recently had an issue slamming on my breaks after someone was coming around the corner too fast in my garage and feeling pushback from the break petal and not breaking fully. I actually did hit her care but she only had scratches and decided not to file a claim (I have the date and pictures as well). I bought this Camry feeling confident and I actually worry about my breaks I even got them replaced thinking they were worn out but I still have the same issue.

- Towson, MD, USA

Around 47k miles the steering shaft failed and the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer. The wheel would also not return to center on its own after turning and had to be forced back in order to drive the vehicle straight again. It was almost as if the power steering went out altogether. The dealer was aware of the issue and said that some of the steering column bind and need to be replaced. Causal research such as doing a Google search for "Toyota steering shaft binding" shows that this has been an issue for several years. The fact that the dealer knew about it shows that Toyota is simply ignoring the issue.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

Since I have purchased this vehicle when it first came out, I have noticed that the steering is very stiff, particularly when driving along curvy, windy roads (ex. certain freeway exits/entrances that require you to follow along a curve). I did not realize how stiff the steering wheel was until I was forced to get a rental car following several car accidents over the course of 2 years. At times the steering was so stiff I actually almost dislocated my shoulder joints several times, or tore muscles/ligaments deep within my shoulder which would take at least a month to fully heal. Other cars I have driven (including a 2019 Toyota Sienna AWD have excellent steering fluidity and show no signs of stiffness). I understand that this "stiffness" is a safety feature (Anti-Lock steering) but there needs to be a way to lessen the stiff feeling as for individuals with weaker joints like me this can cause pain and injury and temporary immobility.

- Glendale, CA, USA

I was going home from Houston to Richmond Texas but a few minutes into driving some warning lights came on and a warning message says Secondary Brake System malfunction. Then all of a sudden the steering wheel was almost locked and was very hard to maneuver. But due to safety of where I was driving I tried hard to reach a Toyota service center nearby which was about to close so I decided to drive to another one nearby my home. A week or so later they said the car was inspected and repaired but on my way home after picking up the car I had to return it again and since then which has been approximately a month now the car is still in service waiting for parts. The safety of others and mine was at risk as the steering wheel was very tough to maneuver. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle component was inspected by Toyota service worker and they said they also had it checked by the manufacturer personnel. There were no prior warning or symptoms prior to this incident which happened on May 24, 2021.

- Richmond, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would make an abnormal squeaking noise without warning. Over time, the steering wheel had stiffened which caused the contact to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they repaired the steering shaft under his extended warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the matter and offered no assistance. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Woodside, NY, USA

Steering is stiff and hard at times. Power steering was looked at by family mechanic. This is a serious issue and needs to be addressed asap

- Kinderhook, NY, USA

When I am making a complete turn either right or left my steering wheel will stall out on me intermittently before the turn is completed. This will happen when my vehicle is in motion either on a street, my driveway, or turning off of the highway

- Minneola, FL, USA

I don't feel safe driving my Toyota Camry 2018. The car feel very heavy when driving, tge steering wheel are stiff and difficult to move sometimes. The brakes are not stable like they should even after I paid for it to be fix. The gas gauge refuse to open when it's time to fuel gas the car makes noises. It's very frustrating and it's not worth what I pay for.

- Miami, FL, USA

The steering becomes very stiff and does not return to the neutral position after making a turn it feels like it is not power steering at all. I am fearful of pulling out in traffic because of this problem

- Clay City, IN, USA

As I was starting out my driveway the steering suddenly got very stiff and when it would turn it would not return to center, so I had to do that myself. It only did it once so I continued to my destination, but when I started home it became more and more stiff and was making a growling noise. I drove it slowly home and had to park it for nearly two weeks to wait for an appointment because I was very concerned that it would lock up totally, . finally got it in for service and service said that the intermediate shaft was binding and had to be replaced. This seems to me to be a very odd problem to have with only 47,000 miles on the vehicle.

- Morgantown, IN, USA

2018 Toyota camary SE. Steering wheel is stiff and locks in place as you are driving and turn the wheel so it does not return if you let go of the wheel and you have to put a lot of pressure to try and turn back and turn more in to the corner,

- Howard City, MI, USA

Power steering very stiff and doesn't return to neutral again. Had happened several weeks ago, went back to normal, but returned yesterday after a car wash. Difficult to correct when in the driveway or on sharp turns after stopping. 49,000 miles on 2018 Camry hybrid le. Will have Toyota reviews at 50K service in a few weeks. Really very disturbing.

- Sudbury, MA, USA

While driving the steering wheel became stiff to turn, unpredictable, and wouldn't return to neutral position without effort. Same sense while steering in the driveway. Happened at any speed. The steering issue slowly went back to normal after a week or about 300 miles. I set up an appointment with the Toyota dealer but cancelled when steering improved and will mention it to them again at the 50,000 mile service.

- Sudbury, MA, USA