Steering Column problems of the 2003 Toyota Camry

Squicking steering column. Ubnormal sounds (squicking, cracking) can be heard when turning left or right. Toyota says it is not a safety issue and there were no recall for 2003 model, only TSB--0296-08 was issued. Has to pay to repair the defect yourself because car is beyond the warranty.

Since the car was new it has had strange sounds in the steering column. The local Toyota dealer dismissed it as normal sounds related to the weather [it is cold out or it is hot outside]. The sound progressively became worse. I had the power steering fluid changed and was told by the repair shop that it had the wrong fluid. The fluid was the product the car was delivered with. I am the original owner of the vehicle. After changing the fluid and having a wheel alignment done- the sounds (loud squeaking) persisted. I took the car recently to a different Toyota dealership and they "greased" the steering column which eliminated the squeaking, but now clunking can be heard from the steering column. The mechanic at the Toyota dealership cautioned me to "keep my eye on this" because it sounds like the steering column is bad. This Toyota only has 28,000 miles on it, has never been in an accident, and has been dealer maintained. I find it suspicious that no mention of a bad steering column was made while the car was under warranty. I drive the car as little as possible because I am frightened to use it. I have also had problems with the brakes on this car. The brake problems date back to the day I drove the car home (new) from the dealership. The steering problems started almost immediately. This car should be recalled and repaired at the manufacturers expense for the steering problems.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry le. When turning the steering column she heard a very peculiar noise. She called the local dealer and was advised that they would not provide assistance unless she paid for the repairs out of pocket. She has not spoken with the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were approximately 76,000.

My 2003 Toyota Camry's steering column was making clunking noises as I turned corners so I took it in to have it looked at. It required a complete replacement of the intermediate steering shaft. I've never had to replace a steering assembly on any of my other cars ever. . . . So why would this 89,000 miles, 2003 Toyota Camry need this part completely replaced? and because it was repaired with a new updated genuine Toyota part. . . . . . Doesn't that indicate that Toyota knew this part was bad and choose not to issue a recall but pass on the repair issues to the consumer? and what if I hadn't gotten it repaired when I did. . . . I could I have lost steering all together.

Defective intermediate steering joint in the steering column.

My 2003 Camry has had a popping sound/feel in the steering wheel. I first noticed it in 2004 and took it to the dealer several times before they could verify the problem. They replaced something in the steering column which solved the problem until about 4 months ago. When I got my car from the dealer I asked if this would be an on-going problem, and the shop manager told me it would not happen again. Well. . . . 4 months ago it started popping again. My car is no longer under warranty and I was told it would cost 900. 00 to be repaired. I just hope it is nothing going on in the steering column that could cause an accident.

- the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. A popping sound in the steering wheel occurred when turning the wheel in any direction. The failure happened since the vehicle was purchased. Toyota stated that there was an internal memo due to several complaints. The current and failure mileage was 83397. The vehicle was purchased on January 9, 2007.

At about 40,000 miles, a knocking sound began to be audible when turning the vehicle in both directions. It is most noticeable when turning the wheels several degrees at low speeds such as in parking. The knock appears to be associated with a slight vibration of the same frequency as the knock and a slight looseness in the steering. The noise and slight jerk in the steering wheel gradually worsened with time, and the car was just beyond the general warranty period when the problem was reported to the dealer. The diagnosis by the dealer was "bad steering column; needs to be replaced". As it was not considered a drive train component, there was no warranty coverage. The cost would have been about $1000 at the time. No repair has yet been done. The knock has continued and at about 80,000 miles a squeaking noise began to accompany the knock. No difficulty steering at normal speed (e. G. Drifting) has been experienced and no abnormal tire wear. The incidence date is the date the squeaking noise was first noticed.

The steering wheel was very loose and difficult to control when driving. I also heard a strange noise when turning to either direction. The dealership replaced the whole steering column shaft assembly for $1016. 57.

At about 40,000 miles, a knocking sound began to be audible when turning the vehicle in both directions. I am not aware of any precipitating incident; no collisions or hard contact with curbing, pot holes, etc. . The knock could also be felt as a slight jerk in the steering wheel. There was (and still is) no noticeable difficulty controlling the car. The noise and slight jerk in the steering wheel gradually worsened with time, and the car was just beyond the general warranty period when the problem was reported to the dealer. Diagnosis by the dealer was "bad steering column; needs to be replaced". As it was not considered a drive train component, there was no warranty coverage. The cost would have been about $1000 at the time. No repair has yet been done.

When turning the steering wheel it makes a very awkward squeaking sound. I noticed the squeaking in the winter of 2004. It does it all the time most noticeably during cold weather. I took it to the local Toyota dealership around July 2006. They lubricated it and it stopped for a while. I had to take it back in December of 2006 to have it lubricated again. I don't know what the problem is, but I wish it could be corrected.

2003 Toyota Camry experiencing problems with hesitation upon acceleration. ** answer required*** this would occur as the consumer would attempt to pass other vehicles. There was a break and or chatter in the left front wheel. The hesitation would occur at all speeds and there was a rubbing noise in the steering column.