Steering Column problems of the 2009 Toyota Avalon

The telescopic steering column adjustment lever will not stay secure and comes loose frequently while driving allowing the steering column to collapse in or pull out. This is a safety concern I reported to my Toyota dealer (gilroy Toyota - gilroy, CA) in July of 2019 when taking the car in to have the ac blower motor repaired and asking for a solution. After multiple calls I finally gave up. Now I'm back talking to the dealer regarding a recall on my 2018 highlander and asking them again about a fix for my steering column. They now inform me of a known issue with the telescopic lever detent clip and a technical service bulletin TSB-0147-13 and also that Toyota had a warranty enhancement program - zty to address it which expired in September of 2019. The dealer now tells me they can not help since it has expired and gave me the number for Toyota customer care 1-800-331-4331 but they refuse to help. This is a safety issue but there has been no recall and I was never notified of the warranty enhancement program so I'm now stuck with an unsafe vehicle. I don't understand how this is not a safety recall that Toyota should continue to stand behind. Do I have any recourse at all?.

Steering placement lock came loose while driving and steering column dropped to lowest level. This has happened 3 other times in city traffic. Trying to tighten the steering placement friction lock only seems to hold temporarily.

Steering wheel column collapses unexpectedly under normal driving conditions. Culprit is the adjustment friction lever becomes disengaged and allows the steering column to collapse. This happens repeatedly no matter how much one ensures it is tightened. Dealer agreed to fix under extended warranty but took almost 6 months to get part. It appeared that Toyota kept canceling the part order although I was told plenty of parts were in inventory in kansas city. (service person said maybe Toyota was holding parts due to a recall but could not find that to be the case. ) eventually, after the part was ordered the third time, and presumably prodded by the dealership, the part was delivered and subsequently installed. I am concerned the problem will reappear over time.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the horn failed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 18,000.

The steering column telescoping mechanism drops, making the steering wheel telescope all the way down while driving the car. It has almost caused multiple accidents in the past few months that we have had the 2009 Avalon. Our 2005 did the same exact thing. I am now being told that we need to pay over $1100 to have the steering column replaced and have the car aligned again. This is not a freak thing with just this car, as our other one was the same way.

The steering column telescopic lock won't stay locked. You can be driving along and the steering column will collapse and become very loose. I had it happen while turning a corner and it caused me to loose temporary control. I reported it to the dealer before it went out of warranty but they advised they could not find anything wrong. At 36,800 miles I convinced them there was a problem. At that time they agreed to replace the defective part at 1/2 price. Since this is a safety issue it should be replaced no charge.

The steering wheel on my 2009 Avalon limited automobile collapses while driving with no apparent reason. My vechile is equipt with an adjustable telescoping steering wheel which one can adjust for comfort & then lock into its set position. A lever below the steering column on the left side is made to lock such position. In many cases the locking lever dis-engages suddenly cause the steering wheel to collapse while one is driving. I have taken the vechile to my dealer but to this date, they have not duplicated the same issue. My occurances have been spuratic; however, it should be a major concern of any driver when they looses control of a major steering abillity of any vechicle.