Steering Failed problems of the 2004 Toyota Sienna

Steering failed in van, no warning, became very hard and acted like steering with no to very little power steering. Required significant driver input to steer and drive vehicle. Dealer said road salt caused exposed mechanisms under car to corrode and tighten.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. While driving 15 mph and turning the vehicle, the steering column began to fail. The steering became stiff and then loosened too much. As a result, a crash could have occurred. The dealer stated that they were unaware of any failures with the steering column. The contact inspected the vehicle himself and determined that the lower universal joint on the intermediate shaft was failing and covered with rust. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer for inspection and repairs. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 102,000.

On April 18, 2008 the steering on my Toyota Sienna began to feel difficult. It was very hard to turn the steering wheel. The intermediate steering shaft had failed and was replaced on may 6, 2008.

The steering began to get hard to turn. The problem progressed to the point where it began to interfere with driving. The dealer told me it was a due to corrosion on a steering shaft and if it failed completely, I would not be able to steer the vehicle. I believe the repair cost $700 with the part and subsequent alignment.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that when turning the steering wheel in either direction, it becomes difficult to turn, jams, and fails to turn back to the correct driving position. The dealer stated that the vehicle needs an intermediate shaft, steering gear, and a steering column flex coupling. The dealer also stated that it is not safe to drive the vehicle because the steering may fail. The current and failure mileages were 48,000.