10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 74,831 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Steering is very difficult to control. When making a turn it does not straighten itself out it keeps going in the direction that you turned. It is very hard to straighten out and has become very dangerous. The problem happens in a stationary position, city streets and highway. There are times when the steering becomes easy again which only makes it more dangerous!
- Stratford, CT, USA
The intermediate steering shaft U joint seizes up or is very hard to turn and will not let the steering return to straight position. U joint is not covered and exposed to elements therefore letting it rust and corrode. Other Toyota vehicles have been recalled for this same problem but not the Tacoma.
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
Steering felt like it locked up when I was turning onto a busy road. Very stiff and hard to turn. Driving home it continued to be intermittently hard, then easy, then hard again, all during a single turn! caused me to have great difficulty turning. Research proves this is a very common defect and I wonder why Toyota has not accepted responsibility and issued a recall.
- Adams, MA, USA
The intermediate steering shaft U joint seizes up or is very hard to turn and will not let the steering return to straight position. U joint is not covered and exposed to elements therefore letting it rust and corode. Has almost caused me to have a fatal accident with my entire family in the truck. Every Toyota owner I know and have talked to has had the same problem.
- Corbin, KY, USA
Driving down the road all of a sudden the steering is frozen meaning I lose all my steering. It locks up when steering left or right.
- Milford, PA, USA
Hard steering. At low speeds and not moving
- Orange Park, FL, USA
It suddenly became hard to steer, it would turn easily (normal effort) part of the way, and feel stiff or tight part of the way. This problem started off intermittently but then became constant. Not only was it risky making a turn because at first you applied more force than normal and suddenly it became easier to turn causing oversteer. It did not want to seem to return to straight when you finished the turn. This problem was there whether you went fast or slow and on all surfaces. The problem was diagnosed as the intermediate steering shaft. We paid nearly $500 to fix something that probably should never have gone bad.
- Richfield, OH, USA
Stiff steering when driving at a lower speed and worse making a U turn or any sharp turn. The steer doesn't roll back as normally when I make a U turn and I had to be quick to steer in back in time to prevent hitting the median. The steer literally get stuck. I have changed the steering pump and have also changed the rack and pinion but the problem is still there.wasted over a thousand dollar on parts and labor.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
Stearing got stiff due to stealing shaft linkage. Many internet stores about this. This truck even though 10 years old only has 140,000 miles on it. The U joint of the part has rusted badly. This is a poor design.
- Cleveland, GA, USA
Steering wheel became very difficult to turn I left or right while driving. Took vehicle to Toyota service dept. They found that the joint on the lower part of the steering shaft was worn. They recognized this same premature part failure on many other 2nd generation Tacoma such as mine. The intermediate steering shaft had to be replaced. The this issue could have caused me to have a serious accident.
- Califon, NJ, USA
Problem with hard steering
- Fairfax, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the steering wheel had become extremely tight while turning either left or right. The dealer was notified of the failure (rockingham Toyota, 412 S broadway, salem, nh 03079, (603) 893-3525). The manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was excluded from a manufacturer recall campaign for the steering. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was not available...updated 08/31/17
- Merrimac, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 45 mph, the steering felt loose. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering linkage fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to install a protective booth over the steering linkage, which caused dirt and dust to enter the steering assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000...updated 08/31/17 the consumer was seeking reimbursement for the repairs.
- Charlestown, NH, USA
I noticed the steering became intermittently stiff, becoming more so about a week ago. It happened while driving in all conditions (slow speed, highway speed, dry weather, wet roads etc) power steering fluid was full, pump was fine. My garage determined that the U joint on the steering shaft was stuck and that I need to replace the steering shaft. This is a 2 part shaft (with U joint) that is only available from Toyota. It's costing me $762 to have this replaced. This is a major safety issue. In the past Toyota has recalled the Camry, corolla and rav4 for the same issue. I follow many Toyota forums and this appears to be a common issue in the Tacoma (2005-2014 models from what I've read). Why hasn't Toyota recalled the Tacoma as well?
- Hampton, NH, USA
In the last week, I've had a hard time steering, especially tight turns. Went to dealership today and was told the U joint on the main steering shaft is seizing up. They said they have had several of these issues lately. The service agent showed me a damaged one sitting behind his desk. Cost to replace is $621. Went on Tacoma world and a lot of owners complaining the same thing.
- Lebanon, CT, USA
4WD light remains flashing, 4WD seems jammed and has occurred many times. Leaf springs replaced recall switched to deavers, both rear brake cables broken" not able to get into 4WD, and now the steering box or power steering has gone weird seems like it's harder to steer left than right?.????? seeems like a flat spot then turns??"
- Rossland, AP, USA
I noticed the truck was not handling right (steering). It got to the point the steering was locking up and I had to manually return the wheel in order to steer the truck. This is dangerous. I went online and discovered this is common. Toyota issued a S.B. for a steering rattle under a 3 yr program. This is not a rattle its much worse and as stated its dangerous. I inspected the steering knuckle and it was seizing up. The cost to repair is approximately $750 dollars. This is unacceptable allowing unsafe vehicles to knowingly operate with this design flaw. Please investigate.
- Amston, CT, USA
Power steering is sometimes difficult. I checked a Toyota forum and this seems to be common. The problem is the lower intermediate shaft universal joint is exposed to road salt and spray and seizes up. So at times the steering is tough then it eases up and does not return to center after a turn. Like I said this problem seems to be well known to the forum. This is a serious problem! 77,000 miles on the truck.
- Rochester, NY, USA
I have noticed the steering is stiff when driving. It will be fine then all of a sudden, during a turn it will seem to stick. This has caused concern when driving and when it happens unexpectedly could result in overcompensation and lead to an accident. This same issue has been noticed by several other owners of this type of vehicle and has been attributed to the intermediate steering shaft #2. this poses a safety issue and a recall should be issued to provide a replacement part that will not have this issue.
- Calais, ME, USA
- New Castle, PA, USA