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
The steering seemed to seize up almost instantly as if the power steering was going out. Once i realized that the problem wasn't a tire issue; i.e. Under- inflation, i began to make arrangement to have toyota identify and correct the problem. The toyota dealership did agree to diagnose the problem for $100+ but this diagnosis charge wouldn't be applied to the repair. This,method of service seemed odd to me so i used…
ODI 10650412
Steering
Felt as if power steering quit. Going around corners the steering wheel did not return to straight position, but required me to manually pull the wheel back. We found it low on ps fluid. That was filled and it appeared that to pretty much solve the problem, though not completely. Two weeks later the problem is back and the ps fluid level is fine. It is very hard to turn into corners and almost impossible park in…
ODI 10628389
Steering
My tacoma was approximately four years old with less then 50,000 miles when the steering began to lock up upon making a turn. I researched and found other tacoma owners having similar problems. The quick solution was to spray lubricating oil or put grease on the intermediate no.2 steering shaft at the universal joint - which i did repeatedly until now. The steering only degraded over time. The wheel became very…
ODI 10610007
Engine · Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
The following is the dealer inspection report for my truck: "found extreme corrosion to frame. Tow hook and driver side sway bar mount unable to re-attach due to frame perforation front cross member missing (rusted off) found hole in left side of frame. Steering rack mounts extremely perforated, ready to detach. Do not recommend driving vehicle due to extreme damage to frame" truck purchased new, single owner, well…
ODI 10596419
Power Train · Steering
I have 2005 tacoma 4x4 with a frame that cracked and collapsed into its self were the left motor mount is welded to the frame. The motor came to rest on the steering shaft knuckle @ the rack and pinion making it difficult to steer. I called toyota service center they told me it was the first time they had heard about this problem. Upon researching the problem on the web there are well over 200 complaints same…
ODI 10644864
Steering
While turning into a mild corner,steering started binding up,had to really pull on the wheel, as if power steering went away. Steering wheel would not return,had to pull it back to straighten out. I know my wife would not have been able to pull it to get through corner. *js
ODI 10585295
Steering
While driving steering suddenly got hard. Then it was normal again for a bit. I noticed that after making left turn it was hard to steer right and vice versa when turning right. Checked power steering and was good. Research on forums suggested a exposed knuckle on a part 45203a called shaft, steering intermediate, no.2. After lubrication to the knuckle area the steering has improved though not 100%. Part should…
ODI 10594047
Steering
While driving i noticed the steering wheel would stick when rounding a curve. Then it would be ok . After further investigation and about 200 more miles the steering wheel had a lot of play in it moving from side to side without moving the tires. Further investigation showed the universal joint for the intermediate steering shaft had no bearings left in it. Scary.. *tr
ODI 10549718
Steering
Friday, september 27, 2013: while maneuvering out of my driveway, and through the 90 degree turns out of a suburb in washington state on the way to i-5 northbound, the steering of my well-maintained 6 speed manual 2005 access cab toyota tacoma trd 4wd felt alternately stiff and loose, as though the wheel was ratcheting. The wheel failed to return to center, requiring constant effort through all points of steering,…
ODI 10547589
Steering
Hi, i have an open file with the toyota corporation at [redacted], my name is [xxx] and i live in fairbanks, alaska. Case # [xxx]. In sept. Of 2012 my truck was at 61,000 miles and i took my vehicle in for maintenance and they checked a recall on the spiral cable and told me that my truck didn't qualify for the recall because of the serial number on the part. I didn't mind i wasn't having any problems. However, at…
ODI 10630537
Steering
I was driving down a county two lane road. As i approached a slight curve, the power steering seemed to fail and the truck ran off the edge of the road. I immediately slowed the vehicle, and with lots of muscle i steered the vehicle back onto the road. I jumped out of the vehicle to check for damage such as a leaking steering hose or broken serpentine belt. Not seeing any immediate damage, i slowly drove the vehicle…
ODI 10505976
Steering
The toyota tacoma became difficult to steer, as though the power steering was failing. To negotiate the vehicle through a bend in the road i had to exert significant amount of force on the steering wheel and had to manually force the wheel back to center. This momentarily inhibited me from keeping the vehicle centered in the lane. This problem has since recurred intermittently. On inspection i was able to determine…
ODI 10507347
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the steering wheel suddenly became extremely difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that there were rusted components within the steering wheel. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate…
ODI 10496877
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph and completing a turn, the steering wheel slowly returned to a straight position. The failure recurred whenever the contact was attempting a turn in either direction. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
ODI 10484683
Steering · Suspension
Sudden onset of steering intermediate shaft u-joint seizing making steering difficult. Also lost return-to-center of steering. This could pose a serious risk of over-steering into oncoming traffic when making a left hand turn at a tee intersection. The unprotected u-joint is exposed to striking of road debris and salt spray. The u-joint does not have grease fittings or any obvious means of lubrication. Internet…
ODI 10454842
Body · Steering
While driving the steering became very difficult to turn to the left or the right direction. This is caused by a faulty design of the steering shaft universal joints. The frame is also rusting very badly and i am concerned about the integrity of the vehicle. *tr
ODI 10545638
Steering
The steering all of a sudden became surprisingly hard to turn as if the power steering failed. This is a common occurring problem in this make and model of truck and is a safety concern. The onset of this problem is incredibly fast which could lead to serious crashes and injuries!!! The cause is a faulty part design (part is exposed to the elements and seizes) and needs to be remedied asap. The faulty part # 45203 -…
ODI 10502324
Body · Steering
2005 toyota tacoma first issue is the steering, on several occasions while turning the steering has "locked up" , the steering gets extremity hard to turn in the middle of driving. After my own research i discovered the universal joint on the steering shaft will lock up or get extremely hard to turn if not greased. The joint is open to the elements and has no protective boot over it. There is no maintenance…
ODI 10574588
Body · Steering
Excessive rust began appearing on the frame of the vehicle at 50,000 miles. Reviewed rust with toyota dealership (4 times over the last 3 years) and this vehicle is not included in any recalls for a rusty frames. My concrete driveway is now stained with the rust coming off of the vehicle. Frame and bumper is now rusty and getting weaker as the rust continues. Vehicle now has 90,000 miles and frame is covered in…
ODI 10508073
Steering · Wheel Bearing
I have a 2005 toyota tacoma prerunner 4x4 with only 83,000 miles. There is recurring issues with the front wheel bearings going out. Front left has been replaced 3 years ago, then front left stub axle was replaced less than a year later under warranty by toyota. The right front wheel bearing also went out 2 years ago and were replaced and now the left side is going out again. *kb
ODI 10419812
Steering
Tl *the contact owns a 2005 toyota tacoma. While driving at 10 mph, the contact stated that the steering wheel became very difficult to turn . He had to manually pull the steering wheel back in position when making turns. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but now it was more frequent. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately…
ODI 10331960
Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control · Wheels
I was driving about 40 miles per hour my 2005 toyota tacoma on the freeway in light rain. The steering completely went out of control and my truck began fishtailing. I tapped on the brakes lightly but the truck continued accelerating faster. I ended up hitting the concrete barrier and was placed in the ambulance. I now suffer from lower back and possible torn ligaments in the neck. Before the accident there has been…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10316145
Steering
I noticed occasional stiff steering for a few months which gradually became worse with time. Eventually seemed like complete loss of power assist steering. I found that it was the intermediate shaft which contains a universal joint that had become seized. I had this intermediate shaft part replaced at a total cost of $885.00. The new part ordered from toyota was different from the original in that the new part had a…
ODI 10267472
Steering · Suspension
Within a year of purchase, the rear leaf springs became soft and the truck bottomed out on bumps. I took it to a local dealer (haddads, pittsfield, ma) and they refused to service it claiming nothing was wrong. I later took it to a springfield dealership and received the same answer. I then took it to superior spring in pittsfield. They found both springs were broken and had to be replaced. I called toyota and they…
ODI 10622253
Body · Steering · Suspension
Less than one year after purchase the rear leaf springs failed on both sides. Two dealers plus toyota headquarters refused service, so i had to pay for a private spring shop to replace them. They have since been recalled but to date i have not received reimbursement. In 2014 the steering shaft had to be replaced and at the same time the frame was determined corroded beyond repair. Toyota made promise to replace the…
ODI 10722515