Steering Column Problems of Toyota Avalon - part 2

Steering column locking lever suddenly disengages and steering wheel collapses from set position while driving. This has occured approximately six times in last 1000 miles. Loosing steering wheel stability has caused unsafe control of vehicle.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Avalon 🔎.

On this date the car was recalled for a steering column upper bracket replacement. Today March 19th, we took the vehicle to our regular mechanic for front brakes and to check because the key will come out of the ignition when the car is turned off and in drive or reverse rather than park. It was also pointed out to us by our mechanic that the steering wheel no longer locks which has been the case since they did the recall work but we just realized today. He then proceeded to tell us about the recall and we explained we had taken it in for the bracket. So, in short, since Toyota replaced the bracket on this recall, the steering wheel no longer locks and the key will come out in drive when the car is turned off, which should not occur.

See all problems of the 2003 Toyota Avalon 🔎.

2002 Toyota Avalon was repaired due to recall on steering column. After repair, I was able to turn off ignition while car was in drive mode. Which safety defect is worse?.

See all problems of the 2002 Toyota Avalon 🔎.

Issue: after a period of approximately 2,000 driven miles, the locking device on the telescoping steering column will loosen to the point where it becomes fully disengaged. The vehicle is driven with the telescoping column fully extended and the driver is unaware of when the locking device has become disengaged. During hard braking situations the driver naturally applies support pressure to the steering column causing the disengaged steering column to fully collapse. This sudden and unexpected collapse of the steering column causes the driver an additional concern and an emergency reaction, up to and potentially including the loss of vehicle control, to an already hazardous situation (hard braking). The above incident has happened on several occasions over an extended period of time. Reporting: this incident has been reported to the Toyota dealer at every scheduled 5,000 mile check up for at least the last 2+ years. This issue is not new and at my request the service agent continues to add the issue to the service order. Toyota response; Toyota service personnel state that they can not address the issue since they can not replicate the issue. As was stated above the issue occurs after approximately 2,000 driven miles. How Toyota expects to replicate 2,000 driven miles by driving the vehicle around the parking lot is absolutely unbelievable to any reasonable person. Two months of driving can not be condensed into 10 minutes. For safety issues, especially for one consistently reported over a period of years, to be dismissed after a 10 minute cursory inspection or none at all, is beyond willful neglect and is evident that Toyotas safety culture has not improved. The issue within Toyota remains unreported, unacknowledged and unresolved.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota Avalon 🔎.

Just adding my similar experience. The lever at the left of the steering column does not hold and drops down periodically. It has happened dozens of times. I took it to the Toyota dealer on a couple of occasions but they said "no problem" or either "you had the steering wheel extended too far for it to catch". I just reach down and flip the lever up when it happens and drive with the wheel in closer to the dash until I can stop and safely pull it out to a comfortable position. This has happened many times, particularly when I stop. The wheel just goes towards the dash. I think it is a defect but Toyota has never so acknowledged it or repaired it.

The steering wheel column retracting without touching the lever on the left hand side of the steering column. This has happened twice while I was driving and once while my daughter was driving my car on Monday 5/2/4/2010. We were able to stop without an accident to secure the steering wheel and fasten the lever.

Tilt steering column lock does not stay in place and will drop down any time. The steering wheel can change position any time and my knee hits the locking lever.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Avalon 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2009 Toyota Avalon 🔎.

I have a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The telescopic steering column will randomly depress. The latch that holds it in place will randomly loosen up and the steering column will go all the way in. I asked my dealer about this and they said it wasn't under warranty. I asked Toyota and they said there had been no recall on this item. Just thought I might mention it with all the other problems Toyota has been having.

I have the same problem with my 2006 Avalon xls. The steering column will suddenly collapse.

2006 Toyota Avalon limited - telescopic steering column collapses under normal driving conditions.

The telescoping steering column lock loosens during normal driving. Usually the lock lever only drops low enough to hit your knees as you exit the car after a drive, but does not loosen enough to release the column telescope. Today it dropped all the way down while I was driving and the column (which I have fully extended normally) collapsed forward (compressed). I lost some vehicle control as I reached down to secure the handle upward. This seems to be a friction device and has no positive locking detent. My wife and daughter have more trouble with it than I do as they cannot force it up as far, so it releases more often. A poor and dangerous design. The dealer wants $79 just to look at it. We have gotten into the habit of checking the lock frequently but whenever we forget it will release the telescope and collapse the wheel unexpectedly after about 2 hours of highway driving. We bought the car new. It is happening about once a week now if we forget to check it. My wife is 65 and does not have the strength to tighten it fully now.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon xls. While driving 5 mph, the contact noticed that the steering column made a clunking noise. The dealer offered no assistance when contacted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 27,000. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000. Updated 01/24/11 updated 02/03/11.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. While driving at a speeds of 60 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the steering column began to move towards the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer advised repairs would be at the expense of the owner. The approximate failure mileage was 30,500 and the current was 31,000.

Unintentional and unexpected unlocking of the telescopic steering column while driving causing potential loss of control of the vehicle.

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.

2000 Toyota Avalon. Consumer writes in regards to Toyota recall steering column upper bracket the consumer stated the steering bracket in his vehicle had to be replaced, prior to Toyota issuing a recall. The consumer wrote Toyota two months later requesting reimbursement. Toyota responding by saying the repairs that were done on the consumers vehicle, were not recalled repairs. The consumer stated the recall as well as his invoice stated the steering bracket was the problem.

See all problems of the 2000 Toyota Avalon 🔎.

2004 Toyota Avalon with a recall for the steering column upper bracket. The consumer stated she experienced the steering problem prior to the recall.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Avalon 🔎.

Steering wheel column adjustment lever drops down allowing the steering column to collapse forward (or move back if holding on to it during vehicle entry). Lever interferes with entry and exit of the vehicle and hurts the leg. Another safety issue is that the collapsible steering column is not locked and if it collapses during a crash could contribute to less effectiveness of the airbag. The problem started soon after the vehicle was purchased new and is getting progressively worse -- sometimes unlocking daily.

Vehicle is a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The safety issue is with the steering column adjustments of which there are two on our vehicle. The greater concern is with the locking latch on the telescoping steering column. In approximately six separate incidents, the latch for unknown reason slowly drops without warning. The latch can not be seen from the driver position. An alarming shock occurs when you brake hard and lean on the wheel causing the steering wheel to telescope downward suddenly. Loss of control is temporary but is dangerous. The up and down adjustment latch similar drops without warning but not as often as the telescope lock. These concerns have been reported to the dealer where we bought our vehicle. According to the dealer they noted no defect. We have our doubts and concerns in view of the recent accelerator pedal recalls. Our Avalon accelerator has already been repaired, but we remain apprehensive. The transportation department should open an investigation on the steering columns.

The steering column telescopic adjustment lever has "slipped out of its locked position" for at least several years. This is the problem that Toyota just issued the "warranty enhancement" for, and while I am grateful for that, I resent their saying ". . . The majority of vehicles will not experience this condition. " from what I understand from other Avalon owners, this is not an isolated problem.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The locking level lever, which controls the steering wheel and moves it up and down, automatically disengages at random. The failure causes the steering wheel to fall onto the driver's lap at any given moment. Through research, the contact found NHTSA campaign id number 05v227000 (steering:column). The dealer stated that the locking mechanism needed to be tightened. The steering was tightened, but it did not correct the failure. The failure occurs every 150 miles. The vehicle is still experiencing the defect and has not yet been repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and current mileage was 38,900. Updated 09/01/09.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. While driving 10 mph in rainy weather conditions, the steering wheel locked completely without assistance. The unexpected failure caused steering difficulty and the contact crashed into a parked vehicle on the street. The police was called to the scene and a report was filed. There were no injuries; however, both vehicles sustained minor damages. Suddenly, the vehicle began to steer normally and was driven to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the failure was related to the steering column. The vehicle is currently being repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 124,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. Whenever the contact turned the steering wheel in any direction the contact heard a clanking sound in the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 105,000.

My 2005 Toyota Avalon (touring model) has a defective locking mechanism for the steering column. About every half an hour it will come lose and the steering wheel will drop out of my hands and the lock will jam against my leg, cutting me. I have almost had several accidents. Toyota denies there is a design defect. They have been unable and unwilling to fix the problem. This is a very serious problem that could easily result in death. The locking mechanism is located underneath the steering wheel and easily comes lose simply due to vibration and the effect of gravity on the locking device. The last time Toyota claimed they fixed it they claimed that they bent the mechanism so that it would not come lose as easily. This obviously is not a proper method of repairing one of the most important parts of the car.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the steering unit. He called the manufacturer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 05v227000 (steering:column) and was informed that his vehicle exceeded its warranty; therefore, they would not replace the steering column assembly for free under the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 38,853 and current mileage was 41,468. Updated 03/24/09.

Steering column is defective per dealer. I noticed a clunking sound and vibration as I was driving. I asked dealer to check it out. They advised me I needed a new steering column at a cost of $1835. They told me it would only get worse if it was not repaired. After several phone calls between me , the dealer and Toyota north America regarding warranty and safety issues, I approved the repair. The repair [ replace the steering column] was completed on August 28, 2008 and I have the replaced parts. I paid the bill. I believe that this is safety issue and should be covered by Toyota even if the vehicle is 5 months out of warranty.

On July 3, 2008, my 2000 Toyota Avalon steering column locked while on vacation in sedona, az. It was towed to the nearest Toyota dealership which was in prescott, az. The dealership repair receipt reads: faulty lock pin, removed ignition lock bracket, removed lock pin, reinstalled bracket. Needs new lock bracket and break-off bolts. (please refer to the mechanic notes that I needed a new lock bracket and break-off bolts - did Toyota know at this time this was a defective problem?) recently I received a safety recall notice for certain 2000 - 2004 Toyota Avalon steering column upper brackets. I have contacted Toyota by mail and phone and they refuse to reimburse me for the expenses I have incurred because of their defective manufacturing. The recall notice describes the recall condition as follows: due to the improper casting of the steering lock bar, which is a component of the steering interlock system, there is a possibility that minute crack may develop on the surface. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the bar could break. It this occurs, the interlock system may become difficult to unlock when stationary. . . . . .

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. While driving at any speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. When the steering is operative, it is very erratic and hard to control. The steering wheel over compensates and caused several near crashes. The contact took his vehicle to the dealer and they identified the failure as the steering knuckles. The dealer also stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle is currently at the dealer for repair. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 42,213 and the current mileage was unavailable because the vehicle is at the dealer.

"maintenance required" light illuminated and I took my vehicle in for service. After mentioning a concern I had, I was called and told that my steering column shaft needed to be replaced. I did not feel any difference in the steering from when I last brought it in before the warranty was up. Now, I have a $600 + bill at 43,000 miles. I've always had Toyota's and I have been having quite a few problems of late associated with this vehicle.

The contact 2000 Toyota Avalon xls. The steering on the vehicle has a tendency to lock up on the vehicle. The dealer was able to fix the problem, but they had never heard of this problem. The contact stated that the failure happened when the vehicle was making a right hand turn on a street corner at a 90 degree angle. The failure mileage was 81000 and the current mileage is 98,000. Updated 03/30/10. The dealer replaced the steering column. Updated 07/01/10.

Steering column in 2006 Avalon exhibits pulsing ratchet type vibration and noise. Most severe when turned at lower speeds.

Steering column separating as identified in recall yet Toyota refuses to repair or replace defective parts. Id 05v227000.

Steering wheel clunks during acceleration, braking, and rotating the steering wheel from side to side. Vehicle was brought into the dealer for which they indicated that the "steering intermediate shaft" had failed and so they replaced it. While picking up the car, I had asked to examine the old shaft and noted corrosion and wear on one of the splines. The car only had 16,500 miles on it. If the splines were completely worn, the steering of the vehicle would be compromised. The dealer indicated that Toyota had a fix to this already, but there is no recall. This should be a safety recall.

Steering vibrations and clicks when turning steering wheel to the right at low speeds.