2005 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems
- 54
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 54 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 22 records
- steering shaft · 13 records
- power steering · 13 records
- intermediate steering · 9 records
- universal joint · 7 records
- intermediate shaft · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 14 |
| 150–400k mi | 14 |
| 100–150k mi | 13 |
| 1–30k mi | 7 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Started truck and when pulling out of driveway steering become extremely stiff. No unusual sounds. Stiffness is not always there, it pulsates. Fluid level and color all within specs. Belt within specs. I plan on putting it on a lift when i return home and preform an inspection. Suspect u joint failure.
ODI 11163063
Steering
My steering had started to get stiff during a trip to philadelphia. Since then it got to the point where it was almost impossible to drive. After about six months of this it became normal again. Now it is going back to being stiff and hard to transition from a turn to straight making it unsafe to drive.
ODI 11209505
Steering
Intermediate steering shaft failure. Caused stiff steering
ODI 11153067
Body · Steering · Suspension
We brought the truck in to have it checked for rust and corrosion that we seen, palmers airport toyota said they seen none, the a-frame has rusted and corroded to the point of snapping and the metal is corroded and peeling with a crack going around the whole a-frame. The truck is now not moveable, the whole tire will fall off if we do move it, we made it back to our home with it luckily and toyota corporate says…
ODI 11103711
Steering
When i steer the vehicle it feels as though the power steering gives out. This issue does not occur all of the time.
ODI 11078786
Steering
Steering gets difficult at the star of turns then loosens up as you turn, making it very difficult to control while turning. As if power steering is turning on and off?
ODI 11080032
Steering
When turning, noticed steering very difficult to control. Very unnerving in heavy traffic. Told by mechanic that i need to have the intermediate shaft replaced. This appears to be an ongoing problem with these vehicles, as the universal joint gets completely rusted out due to no protection from road and elements, and in time, the steering corrodes. Please fix this!! Very very dangerous. I had a child in the car when…
ODI 11075625
Steering
While driving at normal speeds (55 mph) and you try to move to the left or right the steering appears to be stuck, but with some additional effort i am able to turn the wheel.
ODI 10986379
Steering
Intermediate steering shaft rusted and binding my steering was becoming tough to steer and then it would be fine. It felt like the power assist was stopping assisting then it would behave normally during a turn. This caused loss of proper steering during turning are any speed. Sometimes it would be tough to steer, (as if you had manual steering) and halfway through the turn, the steering feel would go back to normal…
ODI 10981179
Steering
Intermediate steering shaft u-joint is siezing leading to difficult to operate steering.
ODI 10957713
Steering
Steering suddenly becomes difficult while driving, all of a sudden hard to turn. Investigation appears to be failed bearings in lower intermediate shaft. *tr
ODI 10949196
Steering
2005 tacoma pickups and others are included in a pending settlement regarding excessive rusting. Now my steering is freezing up which i find is a well documented complaint on the internet. The reason seems to also be related to a failure to adequately protect against rusting. Sudden steering failure has been reported. I cannot safely drive my vehicle due to this fault. Toyota should immediately be forced to recall…
ODI 10953719
Steering
I experienced rough (stiff, binding) steering in both directions and within two weeks it was progressively getting worse. I thought i had a steering fluid issue, but the dealership immediately knew of this problem and confirmed it by turning the steering wheel. They knew right away that it was caused by a rusted u-joint on the bottom of the intermediate steering shaft (p/n 4520304020). In addition to the stiff…
ODI 10860758
Steering
Steering became very stiff over a period of a about 3 weeks, especially in cold weather. Steering wheel would not return to center on its own making steering difficult and dangerous. Research on the internet turned up hundreds of similar complaints. In some cases people's steering locked up entirely. Problem appears to be a universal joint in the steering column that is unprotected and subject to corrosion. My truck…
ODI 10855660
Steering
Steering is difficult, as if no power steering exists. I checked online and saw others had the same problem. I lubricated the lower part of intermediate steering shaft, and it seems to work ok for now. If the part is rusted, i'm afraid the steering will go out altogether and cause loss of control. This is a safety issue. The frame has been replaced due to rust. Is this more of the same problem?
ODI 10823221
Power Train · Steering · Traction Control System
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the traction re-engaged on its own and the vehicle veered to the right when the steering wheel was turned to the left. The failure occurred while driving at any speed, when the gear shifter was placed into four wheel drive, when the traction control was disabled, and when driving over ice, snow, and/or sand. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle…
ODI 10945776
Body · Steering
Major rust damage on frame after only 8 years of vehilce being released, a 2 by 4 inch wide hole on both sides for the trucks frame causing warping and bending as well as unsafe driving conditions. When taken to toyota dealership repairs took 9 months, and upon completion was send back to owners possession without test driving or verifying project completion.
ODI 10894141
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota tacoma. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. In addition, over time, the steering wheel became extremely loose. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess to keep the vehicle in position. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not…
ODI 10851093
Steering
Steering got very stiff and i had trouble operation the vehicle. I was almost was in an accident due to this. Once i got the truck to the roadside i checked for a flat tire, broken power steering belt and the power steering fluid level and condition. Everything was ok, but the steering wheel was still very had to turn. I had the trucks steering checked out and the u joint at the bottom of the steering column had…
ODI 10765142
Power Train · Steering · Suspension
I had complete failure to my rack and pinion steering due to excessive corrosion to the component. I was pulling into a business doing about 10 mph and the steering locked up completely. I checked the power steering fluid in the reservoir and it was completely empty. I checked under the truck and on the ground was a puddle of steering fluid. The vehicle was taken to a local garage and when he examined the truck to…
ODI 10727023
Steering
I can not control steering wheel,it gets to hard to steering. *tr
ODI 10714234
Service Brakes · Steering · Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota tacoma. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the brakes failed and the steering wheel vibrated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Also, the contact stated that the front passenger side tire wobbled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,152.
ODI 10713912
Steering · Suspension
The steering in my toyota tacoma began to bind suddenly when turning the steering wheel to the left or right. Upon inspection by the dealership, the intermediate steering shaft and steering yoke both needed to be replaced. The replacement part appears to be an updated part with a rubber boot to prevent corrosion of the shaft joints. I believe the failure of the original part was due to poor design, causing the part…
ODI 10694207
Steering
I too experienced the stiffness while steering. I almost spent large dollars but decide to do some research on the internet. I learned that the cause of it was a rusted joint. After some heavy spraying with lubricants, i regained normal operations. But only until next winter..ugh! Recommend toyota takes note of this and decide on a solution for those who are not mechanically inclined.
ODI 10861733
Steering
When turning the steering wheel in either direction i have extremely stiff steering. It seems to stick and is not fluid when turning. I am concerned that this can cause an accident while driving. I have checked the steering power fluid level and it is at the correct level.
ODI 10667412