Experiencing stiff steering. Turned on a highway and had trouble getting the truck straightened back out, almost went into oncoming lane.

- Butler, PA, USA

First let me say that this is my fifth Toyota truck, all manual transmission 4 cylinder engines, with the exception of this one, which is 6 cylinder (I don't have the other VIN's with me now, but could do some research to provide them if need be). A couple of weeks ago I noticed my truck's steering becoming stiffer, making steering more difficult. I read up a bit about it, inspected the belt (ok) and checked the transmission fluid (looked a bit low). I decided a flush and fill of the transmission fluid might do the job and did so Saturday, 11/19/16. Immediately after, I really didn't notice much of a change. Yesterday, Sunday, it seemed more noticeably stiff. I researched more and read that it might be due to a corroded shaft ' many recommended grease as a solution and other recommended a new shaft. Today it was very stiff and even a bit wobbly ' more difficult to control. I was reading up on how to repair this and came across many other who experienced this and suggested I file this so that others might be warned/protected. I love my truck, just don't like how the corrosion of Tacoma's ruins everything. Hope this can be of help to someone.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

I was driving my truck in the parking lot of a shopping center. As I was going through an intersection the steering column fell down causing me to be unable to turn causing a wreck with another vehicle. My insurance company will not pay for repairing the steering column. Toyota has been jerking me around for 3 months. My truck has been repaired as far as body work but Toyota tells me that I will receive a letter with their determination as to whether they will repair the steering column. 4 weeks ago they told me that I would receive a letter. I am still waiting. When I call the person in charge of my case at Toyota (casey) he never returns my calls. My case number is 1603142032. Casey's number is 800-331-4331.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. While driving at a low speed, the steering wheel seized. As a result, the contact was unable to steer the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seals were corroded and the power steering joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver side wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V604000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Mundelein, IL, USA

Powersteering not working properly when making a turn in either direction had to physically turn steering wheel would not recover on its own. Brought truck to Toyota dealer for problem they replaced the drive belt, thinking it was slipping on the powersteering pump. That did not fix the problem, took it back, the dealer decided the powersteering rack was the problem and cost for the rack was about $1400. I decided to check internet to see if this problem was common. I found it was, the universal joint on the steering shaft at the block is not protected from weather and is prone to rust it is a sealed joint and cannot be lubed. I sprayed the universal joint with rust blaster which loosen the joint up, I then sprayed a water proof silicone spray on it. Works like new. This is not only a safety problem but a finical problem and is an easy fix for Toyota.

- Independence, KY, USA

Rack assembly shot causing steering to "stiffen" had to replace the rest of the components around 60000 miles. When I called a Toyota dealership they knew exactly what the problem was. Hopefully, no one gets killed before this gets addressed. Seems like Toyota is performing another manufacturer watergate by issuing bogus recalls for the steering column spiral cable and the frame inspection and preventive under coating. Really sounds like they are looking for the real problem as per other complaints.

- Unknwon, NY, USA

Merging onto highway and steering bound up without warning. Took all my strength to avoid hitting guardrail and narrowly avoided causing a major accident. After looking online it seems to be a common issue of an exposed joint in the steering shaft rusting and binding up. Just a matter of time before someone gets killed because of this issue. Extremely poor design of this part. I no longer will take my family in this truck and will be looking to trade in for a different vehicle. Toyota needs to issue a recall to repair this problem and protect its customers.

- Bangor, ME, USA

In August, 2014, Toyota issued a limited service campaign as it related to corrosion-resistant compound application for 2005 through 2008 model year Tacoma vehicles. Co-incidentally, within a few days of notice my 2008 Tacoma had two components that have failed due to corrosion. These components are located next to the frame that Toyota has stated as having corrosion issues. The two components that have failed due to being rotted out as described by my independent repair shop are as follows: 1)power steering rack and pinion and 2)the freon suction line to the air conditioner. I contacted Toyota motor sales about this, but they are refusing to cover for any of the repairs. I was informed when I purchased the vehicle that I was being sold a vehicle that would last for several hundred thousand miles with no major issues. Toyota motor sales has known for over a decade that they have been having corrosion issues, but to date they continue to produce Tacoma vehicles with severe corrosion issues related to their frames and the components that lie next to the frame. Toyota motor sales indicated to me that they are aware that it may have been a quality issue with one of their Mexico plants.

- Medina, OH, USA

On the day of July 9th 2014 I was driving my vehicle down a dirt road hill. Once reaching the bottom of the hill my steering column assembly separated itself from the dash board completely, causing a total loss of control. Fortunately I was able to stop in a safe distance and avoided impact with any obstacles. This experience left me wondering about the integrity, safety, and trust I had in my vehicle which has not been the same since. I brought my vehicle to the dealership where I bought it from to have an inspection on the damage and expressed my concern for what happened. Afterwards I contacted the manufacturer of my vehicle and expressed what happened to them and that I was not responsible for what had happened. In conclusion, after the manufacturer spoke with the dealership they informed me that they will not take responsibility for what happened. They feel it is an impossibility for this component to fail on this particular vehicle. I feel this is a serious matter that threatens my life and my families lives. I feel this is completely unacceptable and may be a design issue for my vehicle and anyone else who owns this particular vehicle.

- Ramona , CA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contacts stated that while driving various speeds, the steering wheel became very hard to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the steering shaft was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000. The current mileage was 60,125.

- Warren, MA, USA

Vehicle upper steering shaft assembly at the joint where steering shaft goes through the hole in the joint underneath column inside the cab is completely worn out and is flopping around and could lead to the complete loss of steering if it was not caught by myself at 49K....

- El Paso , TX, USA

Steering feels likes its binding intermittently. Have read on various Toyota online forums there is a U-joint in the intermediate shaft that is exposed underneath the vehicle and fails due to road debris, salt, sand etc. If this joint fails vehicle will not be able to be controlled. There are tsbs for this but only for 36,000 miles.

- South Deerfield, MA, USA

While driving on a rural road, approximately 55mph my steering column came out of the dash and into my lap. After receiving a recall notice from Toyota for a spiral cable recall in the steering assembly I made arrangments to take it in for both to be repaired. Toyota called me this morning telling me that the tabs in the steering columns were sheared and it would not be covered by the recall or my extended warranty. I feel that the tabs are obviously another cheap part that Toyota is making thier vehicles out of and risking the safety of people. This truck is a four wheel drive and should not fall apart going over a bump on a dirt road. Luckily I was able to replace it into the column and steer off the road safely, but someone else may not react as fast as I did. The service employee at Toyota requested someone from the warranty department come tomorrow to inspect it to see if they can approve coverage if not they are requesting appr $1200 from us to install a new steering column. I was able to find other Toyota blogs where other makes and models have had this same thing happen to them.

- Youngstown, FL, USA

The dealer is not accomdating the repairs for the vehicle. They state that they do not have any parts.

- Hayward, CA, USA

Severe steering drift and shimmy. New tires didn't fix the problem. Had tires rebalanced, did not fix the problem. Freeway driving is more severe, I'm fighting the steering trying to keep the vehicle tracking straight. If I hit a bump the vehicle wants to jump to the side. Towing a lightweight single axel trailer is very difficult, the trailer is whipped because of the trucks steering situation. It feels like premature ball joint failure, or in the case of an old style straight axel (king pin wear) this vehicle is dangerous to drive at high speeds. This is a trd model with bilsteen front strut and rear shock suspension. Feels like the anti-lock brake system is initiating one side of the front brakes, thus causing the vehicle to roll toward that side, then I have to correct the steering. I do not have the automatic roll-over system on this Toyota. I've seen other postings on the internet with similar problems on the same vehicle.

- Roseburg, OR, USA

My 08 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 that I purchase on 3/5/08 has had a throttle and steering problem from the day I purchase it. My truck has been checked by freeman Toyota of hurst, tx several times and Toyota of irving. Toyota of irving called in a factory representative, who also checked and drove it. All telling me the truck was programmed to act the way it was performing. On 12/05/08 I filled a complaint with ncds, case# 6008198. The arbitration results between Toyota motor sales, U.S.a., Inc., gulf states Toyota distributors, Inc. Houston, tx and myself, was, "the vehicle is performing as designed." My Toyota Tacoma still does not respond to the driver, but I have not seen any recalls on my 2008 Tacoma 4X4.

- Hurst, TX, USA

While entering an on ramp the truck accelerated on its own going out of control, crashing sideways into a guard rail...once it took off on its own it kept increasing speed on its own, applying the brake had no affect on getting it under control...damage $8,000....took to dealer next day to which they found no problem...we have found many instances as this one with this same truck and model on the internet.

- Bradenton, FL, USA