2009 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems
- 35
- 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 35 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 13 records
- steering shaft · 10 records
- steering wheel · 7 records
- universal joint · 5 records
- very stiff · 5 records
- joint steering · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 14 |
| 100–150k mi | 6 |
| 1–30k mi | 4 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Had just entered my driveway and tacoma cabin suddenly filled with heavy smoke and smell of something burning. Stopped vehicle, set brake and got away from it after opening both doors. Short time later opened hood to try and determine what had gone wrong expecting s radiator hose leak. After examining fluids, only the power steering tank was empty and passenger side of engine smelled like cabin did. Had tacoma towed…
ODI 11270484
Steering
Steering shaft joint failed (pn 45203-04021), causing loss of control of steering/ binding steering
ODI 11190986
Steering
It juss started a week or so ago.the power steering is intermittent goin out.it's very scary.i'm not sure what the problem is but it gets stiff like there's no power steering. Than it will come back.
ODI 11181912
Steering
Power steering goes out intermittently. Highway or back roads make no difference. Turning the wheel suddenly gets stiff, then can slip back into power steering and turn very quickly.
ODI 11139637
Engine · Frame And Members · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to new country toyota of saratoga springs (3002 ny-50, saratoga springs, ny 12866, [redacted]) and repaired per an unknown recall regarding the frame. While driving various speeds, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. When the vehicle accelerated, the noise intensified and the steering wheel vibrated. The vehicle…
ODI 11155547
Steering
Steering shaft binding up while turning. There are no grease fittings or boot on universal joints
ODI 11093680
Steering
Steering is stiff and jerky causing driving concerns at all speeds. Problem is intermittent making it an issue as can occur at any time. Not power steering related.
ODI 11093363
Steering
Steering is locking up when i turn very dangerous!!! Should be a recall before someone is killed!!!!
ODI 11082092
Steering
Power steering assist seemed intermittent. The power steering lower shaft at the universal joint has become corroded making steering difficult (to overcome the corrosion) as well as dangerous when further corrosion leads to steering failure. Many on-line forums make note of this problem. It appears to be a systematic design flaw that can lead to dangerous consequences. Imagine losing steering control at high speed.…
ODI 11081563
Steering
Steering was very stiff and steering wheel would not return after cornering causing the truck to continue in the wrong direction. The steering is stiffer in some positions than in others.
ODI 11076397
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
The welds lower control arm mount on the driver side failed when i applied the brakes at high speed and almost caused an accident and almost completely removed my wheel and the lower control arm from the car.
ODI 11012710
Steering
Problem with turning left and right, very stiff, like there was a problem with the power steering. Brought it to my mechanic, he had to install the lower steering shaft. He called are local dealer for the part, they said it is a common problem, they just sold 3 that day. My question is if this is a common problem, why isn't toyota talking care of this! This is a safety issue! This ended up costing me $400. Very…
ODI 10991233
Steering
The lower steering linkage u joint (intermediate steering shaft) failed due to simple rust. It is unprotected and open to the elements and the failure nearly caused an accident. The symptoms were extreme hard steering and almost caused me to drive off the road going around a corner. This was a sudden issue, not a gradual problem and occurred at all driving speeds. My vehicle only had 100,000 miles on it.
ODI 10983222
Steering
Steering shaft bound up this am and i almost killed myself and another persn in the other car called dealer he said it is common problem and they change them daily. He said toyota is aware but feels its not a problem vehicle was in motion when it happened as i was turning it locked up . This is a dangerous situation and idealer knew exactly what was wrong. I went online and typed in tacoma steering binds and there…
ODI 10971879
Steering
Steering is getting stiff, especially at lower speeds, tighter turns. Caused by corrosion getting into the u joint of the lower intermediate steering shaft. Poor design, does not protect from weather / road conditions.
ODI 10971999
Steering
Intermediate steering shaft problem seems like the power steering stops working. The problem seems to be less when there is weight in back of truck.
ODI 10978763
Steering
Stiff steering. Steering shaft knuckle is exposed and corrodes resulting in the stiff steering. Starts outs as intermittent. Occurs at any speed, turning right or left, all environmental conditions. Very unsafe. Widely known issue
ODI 10994589
Steering
Steering very stiff, does not return to center, locks up, fails to maintain direction. The universal joint on the steering column-steering gear is not protected from the elements (road salt, water, etc.) and has seized, causing the steering to lock up and leading to a minor accident.
Crash reported
ODI 10955584
Steering
I was going into a turn all of a sudden the steering got very stiff i had a hard time steering the truck. I almost hit a guardrail. Had a mechanic check the truck. He found out the universal joint on the steering was very stiff. He was surprised toyota has no boot covering this like gm does. He clean the universal and covered with a grease. Now when the stiffens comes back i spray with a penetrating oil then…
ODI 10967888
Steering
The universal joint on the intermediate shaft became corroded, causing the joint to bind and cause steering to become extremely stiff.
ODI 10986263
Steering
Steering becomes intermittently 'stiff'. Complaint has been documented many times by owners on forums and other on-line sites. Apparently this is a design issue that allows the lower steering joint to suffer accelerated corroded by normal use. Dealers and toyota do not acknowledge it is a manufacturing issue that can cause/create safety issues with the vehicle. Problem occurs intermittently at any speed of can also…
ODI 10883906
Steering
New brunswick canada bought the 2009 toyota tachoma 4x4 extended cab-off road truck last may 2-16 at saint john toyota and shortly after noticed that some times the steering would get stiff and it felt like manual steering. I took it back to the dealership and was told that there was noting wrong. When on the highway and coming to a turn i grip the wheel with 2 hands and back of on the gas. In march i had the front…
ODI 10971246
Steering · Suspension
Lack of alignment during toyota safety recall e02 / nhtsa recall id 14v 604 i am concerned with the lack of vehicle alignment as an included part of e02 post replacement of the rear spring packs. When the rear springs are removed from the vehicle, the rear axle often shifts such that is it no longer in the same position as it was previously installed. Thus the vehicle is no longer properly aligned, as front toe is…
ODI 10862948
Steering
Vehicle has 91k mileage 4x4 all highway miles. Backed out of my driveway and could not turn wheel. Checked fluid but it was fine. Attempted again and got on local road only to find truck uncontrollable at any speed. Saw another complaint on this after i got vehicle towed back to my house and decided to file complaint. My truck never had an issue like this before now. It is definitely unsafe to drive and toyota…
ODI 10860977
Steering
Steering , i bought a new 2009 tacoma with the platnum warranty and the steering is now not working, i feel that this is unsafe and is difficult to drive. I called the number to tell them that i brought it to a dealer (vanderstyne toyota rochester ny) to see what the problem was and that i was told i needed to pay 130.00 for diagnostic fees to see what the problem was with it and that they would not even look at it…
ODI 10851204