This video and information is being published to warn owners of older Toyota Sienna vans (and possibly other Toyota models) of a very dangerous scenario that could result in the complete loss of steering. The results could be fatal if this were to occur at highway speeds.
Our 2002 Toyota Sienna had the gear shift repaired at a major Atlanta area Toyota dealer on May 5, 2014. The gear shift replacement required the entire steering column to be disassembled. Approximately one week after that repair, the steering completely failed as shown in the video. The steering wheel turned with absolutely no control of the wheels. Fortunately this occurred in a parking lot after just traveling on the interstate. Had this steering failure occurred at interstate speeds, this may have been fatal.
The vehicle was returned to the same major Atlanta area Toyota dealer and the cause of the steering failure was identified as "steering joint bolt backed off from connection". I was told that the steering failure was caused by one bolt coming loose. The steering failure was corrected by "re-tightening bolt with lock tight".
The repair of a gear shift by a certified Toyota dealer service center resulted in complete steering failure due to one bolt that "backed off from connection" or that was not properly tightened. I have alerted Toyota of this potential design flaw in hopes that they would look into the situation and alert owners and repair centers of this dangerous situation.
Given Toyota's lack of interest in researching this potentially deadly design flaw that causes steering failure when one bolt is not tightened properly or comes loose, I am sharing this information to hopefully save a few lives. Please be aware of this scenario when work is done on the steering column. The steering joint bolt must be tightened properly with "lock tight" to prevent complete steering failure.
This video and information is being published to warn owners of older Toyota Sienna vans (and possibly other Toyota models) of a very dangerous scenario that could result in the complete loss of steering. The results could be fatal if this were to occur at highway speeds.
Our 2002 Toyota Sienna had the gear shift repaired at a major Atlanta area Toyota dealer on May 5, 2014. The gear shift replacement required the entire steering column to be disassembled. Approximately one week after that repair, the steering completely failed as shown in the video. The steering wheel turned with absolutely no control of the wheels. Fortunately this occurred in a parking lot after just traveling on the interstate. Had this steering failure occurred at interstate speeds, this may have been fatal.
The vehicle was returned to the same major Atlanta area Toyota dealer and the cause of the steering failure was identified as "steering joint bolt backed off from connection". I was told that the steering failure was caused by one bolt coming loose. The steering failure was corrected by "re-tightening bolt with lock tight".
The repair of a gear shift by a certified Toyota dealer service center resulted in complete steering failure due to one bolt that "backed off from connection" or that was not properly tightened. I have alerted Toyota of this potential design flaw in hopes that they would look into the situation and alert owners and repair centers of this dangerous situation.
Given Toyota's lack of interest in researching this potentially deadly design flaw that causes steering failure when one bolt is not tightened properly or comes loose, I am sharing this information to hopefully save a few lives. Please be aware of this scenario when work is done on the steering column. The steering joint bolt must be tightened properly with "lock tight" to prevent complete steering failure.
- Sienna S., Alpharetta, GA, US