Steering Column problems of the 2005 Toyota Camry

While attempting a u-turn at very slow speed, car was hit on the passenger side by a vehicle going approx 30-40mph. When car came to a rest, the steering wheel had broken off the steering column.

2005 Toyota Camry. Consumer writes in regards to hearing noise from rear drivers side of vehicle and dealership mechanic repaired broken strut but noise continued. When the consumer returned to the dealer, and inspection was performed, where it was determined the strut was broken. The consumer continued to hear the noise, so he returned to the dealer, where the vehicle was inspected again. The consumer was informed the noise was coming from the steering column intermediate shaft. The consumer did not believe the noise was coming from the intermediate shaft.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. While driving at approximately 5 mph and making a turn to the left or right, the steering column made an abnormal noise without warning. The contact stated that the noise was getting louder and more frequent. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the vehicle had normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure on numerous occasions. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. The contact stated he heard a knocking sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated the entire steering column would need to be replaced. The manufacture was not alerted of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000. The current mileage was 76,207.

My power steering column has a leak. It was found by the dealership--conveniently one year out of warrenty--the column costs $1100-1300 to fix. I have uncovered many postings online of Toyota owners with power steering column problems -- many -- and I think that this may indicate a serious problem that has gone unchecked.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that there was a cluncking sound coming from the steering area. The dealer diagnosed that the steering column would need to be replaced. The manufacturer denied any assistance with repair to the defect. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 46,000.

2005 Toyota Camry se (25,000 miles) having intermittent problem where the car does not recover when coming out of a turn. The steering wheel appears to bind/lock and driver has to manually turn the wheel to make the care go straight. Problem seems to happen primarily when making a left onto a several lanes of traffic, not so much with sharp turns. Vehicle was taken to Toyota dealership for inspection and was told that steering is in proper working order. I did report another issue where a knocking/banging sound was coming from the steering column when going over uneven pavement at relatively slow speeds but dealer said this could most likely be resolved by greasing the assembly, an item that was covered by a previous TSB but since the car was over 3 years old, was no longer covered under warranty. If not repaired the, sound would get worse.

I was getting on the freeway and I was merging to another freeway I was on the 5 merging to the 118 and that is where I noticed the gas pedal accelerated and I could not slow the vehicle down. I then lost control of the steering wheel. I was trying to get the steering wheel to straighten out the car and go with the curve and it wouldn't, I then hit he wall 3 times and flipped my car. I did notice this a month prior to the accident. But thought it was a grove in the freeway. This time I could not stop or control the car. I get on the same freeway everyday it was 5:30 in the morning on the 7th of March, I was going about 45 miles when I started to excel the pedal to continue on to the other freeway overpass. I have been going on this freeway to work for 7 years now and have never had an incident except for the month before. Again I thought it was a groove in the highway. I did hear on the news when I got home from the hospital that there was problems with the 2005 Toyota cars and the steering column snaps and loses control. Which was exactly what happened, I did contact Toyota and they said it didn't have anything to do with the gas pedal that it was the 2006 that was being recalled for the gas pedal. They said it was probably the floor mat that got stuck under the gas pedal. I had no recall on the floor mats. I feel it was very wrong for them to kind of cut me short. I did suffer injuries, cuts and bruises not to mention totaling my car. Insurance did pay off my car, but such a huge ordeal trying to get money together to buy another car. I am not trying to make myself a rich women I just want Toyota to know that it was a horrible thing that happened to me and thank god no one else was involved. Attorneys do not want to help me for some kind of compensation of the ordeal I went through physically and mentally. I am doing alot better now, but they did stop the doctor visits and therapy due to the fact that I may get nothing out of this and have to pay the bills myself.

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6). I have never had a car in which a part of the steering column?wore out? until this past February. During February I had to replace the intermediate shaft on my 2005 Camry le [xxx]; this car only had 44,950 miles on it when I noticed the problem (February 12, 2010). On Feb, 25, I brought the car to lexington Toyota, (MA 781-861-7400) and was told that there was no problem. I had to go in again the next day and physically sit next to the mechanic while he drove the car before he recognized a problem with the shaft. However, ironically, when I went back into the service department I was then told by the service manager that these 'intermediate shafts wear out all the time' if this is the case why didn't you issue a recall??? I had to pay out of pocket $428. 14 to replace this part. (a few day later my 1999 Camry developed an intermittent tightness, or very stiff steering wheel between 11' o'clock and the 2-3 o'clock positions in the steering wheel, the VIN number on this car is [xxx]; I'm still waiting to decide how or what to do to repair this problem that seriously effects the safe drive ability of the car. ) like I stated, I have never had to replace a steering column on any other car I've owned, and I have owned many cars with over three even four times this mileage. I understand that your warranty only lasts 36,000 miles or 5 years, which ever comes first, but this is ridiculous; I think that you either didn't engineer the part properly or designed in to fail in order to get the replacement business; either case it ranges from negligent to criminally fraudulent. I just googled Camry intermediate shaft? complaints and got over 17,000 hits. Do you think that's too many? I don't think that Toyota needs any more bad publicity, but perhaps another story of Toyota's irresponsibility is justified. Why would the service manager, bruce, claim that they replace these ?intermediate shafts, all the time"?.

The steering column generates a sound similar to ice and rocks sloshing around whenever the vehicle changes position--from stop to start, or acceleration or deceleration. I have taken it to Toyota dealership. Was told they could not hear this sound. Nothing done to repair or replace, but sound persists. The car has 48,000 miles on it now--sounds began around 35,000 miles. Subsequent email to Toyota. Com to report problem. Was referred back to dealership.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. He stated that at 32,000 miles the steering wheel began making a loud noise when he made a left turn. He also noticed that the left tire malfunctioned when the failure occurred. The dealers diagnosis indicated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The estimated repair cost was $500. The current mileage was 50,000. Updated 04/05/10 the consumer stated the left wheel would wobble on sharp left turns. The intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. Updated 09/02/jb.

I am hearing a knocking sound coming from my steering wheel. I only have 45,000 miles on my car. I took my car into the dealership today they told me that my steering column is loose and that it needs to be replaced ASAP; with the cost of $500 dollars. After checking online I see that there is so many other people with the same problem/complaint. They also have a Toyota Camry. I taken my car into the dealership previous with complaints, of course before my warranty went out and told them that I felt like my car was pulling and was steering weird. They told me nothing was wrong with my car and that it was normal. Well I'm sure it wasn't normal, and now I don't have a warranty on my car. This needs to be recalled! look at all the complaints online! this is ridiculous. Thank you for your time, shelby durfee.

I have had this car 2 years. . The steering column (shaft to the wheel) vibrates at times while on the highway. Occasionally, when going over certain or different sections of the road. . . It is like a rattle vibration. It is not constant but is this normal?? is it a defect?? should it vibrate at all??? the consumer felt the dealer should have informed him about the acceleration problems with the vehicle before he purchased it. Updated 03/12/10.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. On one occasion, the wheel locked. The contact was able to get the key into the ignition, but the wheel would not unlock and the key would not turn. The failure occurred on another occasion. She jiggled the key and steering wheel until the steering column unlocked. The manufacturer stated that she should continue to jiggle or "play" with the steering and the key until she is able to turn the ignition to start. The wheel locked again, but she was unable to unlock the steering column. The tow truck driver was able to unlock the steering column and charged the contact $75. The dealer stated that the vehicle could be diagnosed for $65 and stated that there did not appear to be any failures. The contact was advised to continue to drive the vehicle as normal. The failure mileage was 34,000 and current mileage was 35,000.

Subject:2005 Camry le steering shaft problem I wanted to find out whether there's been any consumer complaints or problems reported in regards to a clunking, popping or knocking noise reported in Toyota's 2003-2006 Camry's and the 2004-2006 solara's steering columns when turning the steering wheel left or right, or going over bumps in the road. My 2005 Camry le began experiencing this problem back in early 2008 and it is progressively getting worse. I took my car into my mechanic at harbor auto center in costa mesa, CA about a year 1/2 ago to get the problem checked. (I don't trust Toyota dealership repair service or their prices). Upon further investigation he was able to discover what the problem was and even found a Toyota technical sevice bulletin titled "steering intermediate shaft noise", reference # st001-06, date of issue 2/16/06 that outlined the exact problem with my steering column. I then called the Toyota dealership in san juan capistrano where I had purchased the vehicle, but since my car was past the 72,000 mile extended warranty and this was not a recall item, they would have to charge me. Obviously Toyota corporation is very aware that there is a mechanical problem with the steering shaft on these two makes & models, since even the dealership was aware of the service bulleton. Even though my mechanic thought my car was probably ok to drive, I am very concerned, because the clunking noise is getting more pronouced the longer I drive the car, especially when I turn the wheel, go over speed bumps or brake and turn. I'm not sure what recourse I have to get this fixed, but with all the current problems Toyota is experiencing, it makes me very concerned about the dependability of my own car. From NHTSA web site.

: the contact stated while driving various speeds, a clunking noise was heard and excessive play occurred in the steering wheel. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, who replaced the intermediate shaft in the steering column. Updated 1/29/2007 -.

About 300 miles while driving steering wheel came loose, and caused loss of vehicle control. At 537 miles, while making a right hand turn and then a left turn, as driver attempted to straighten the vehicle steering wheel would not respond. Steering wheel had no control. The weather was dry, a flat road. The speed was about 65 pmh. Vehicle crahed into a wall. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Passenger sustained a broken back, and arm. Driver sustained a broken ankle and bruises.