general problems of the 2006 Toyota Tacoma

The frame of my 2006 Toyota Tacoma (VIN: [xxx] ) is severely corroded and compromised. I recently acquired the vehicle and discovered that it was part of a past Toyota recall/program for frame corrosion inspection and replacement. However, it appears the previous owner did not take the vehicle in for the service. The frame now shows advanced rust and structural weakness, which puts my safety and the safety of others at risk. I am concerned that the recall program was not adequately communicated or tracked, and I am requesting that the NHTSA review this issue for potential reopening or expansion of coverage for affected vehicles like mine. The vehicle is available for inspection if needed. Thanks. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The frame is rusted so bad. The dealer wouldn’t replace due to the vehicle being registered in florida as it’s not one of the states affected. But my Toyota came from a pennsylvania dealer first then shipped to florida after years of being in pennsylvania and not having an issue up there. Now I’m stuck with a truck I can’t sell or fix. It’s not right. Where is the quality control on this.

This vehicle is covered in the Toyota rusty frame lawsuit. As such, it has been inspected by 2 different dealers and deemed not to need a frame replacement both times. It was treated with crc. Its last inspection was in November of 2018. On Sunday, may 17th, 2020, the frame broke at the front cross-member causing the left front lower control arm to separate and steering the vehicle/controlling the vehicle became near impossible. Fortunately for me, this happened in a parking lot backing out of a parking space and turning left (in reverse at low speed) after a full 2 weeks of driving in the mountains of west virginia. I question all inspections of frames being performed within the Toyota dealer network and hope that nobody has this failure while they are driving at speed as the results will be catastrophic.

Stiff steering while stationary. Difficult turning while moving after not using the vehicle for a time. This occurred after leaving the vehicle for 6 months or so at the dealer for a recall in 2012 or so. When I got the vehicle back it was ok but I don't know what they did to it. This problem just reoccurred last week after I did not use the vehicle for a while.

The steering wheel get really tight and make it difficult to turn. It feels like it's going to lock up on me. Call Toyota and the dealer about it. They don't seem to care. Truck has 86,000 original miles on it.

Rusted front end passenger side component broke of the frame due to corrosion. Toyota warranty for repair expired 31 January 2019 and vehicle was taken to Toyota 2 months later and Toyota will not honor repair. Very disappointing on Toyotas end. The rusted frame takes longer than 2 months to corrode. Toyota care not willing to work with me and fix there faulty and very unsafe product!.

My 2006 Tacoma is very stiif steering wheel everytime I use the vehicle . Im afraid of accident waiting to happen.

The steering on my Tacoma sometime stiffens and does not return back to center or sometimes you can barely turn the wheel left or right due to the lower intermediate shaft rusting in order to drive safely you have to temporarily put white lithium grease all over it because the design is wide open to road spray and salt I'm almost got into 5 head-on collisions. . And researching online this is a very common issue with these trucks and also very dangerous there should have been some kind of protection over the small u joint in the steering shaft spraying it with penetrating oil is only a temporary fix unfortunately this is a $500 repair and who knows how long it will last being unprotected once again.

Lower intermediate steering shaft u joint seized. It is small and exposed to the elements, and there is no protective covering. It is a dangerous piece to have fail. Many other Tacoma owners of the same model years experience this problem.

Truck has hard steering in any condition. Took to dealer deihl in butler PA. They told me it was the steering shaft. The dealer is great they replaced my frame rear springs all u joints and driveshafts. We were told this repair would cost $450 roughly. This is a known problem and should be covered too. .

Steering getting very stiff. Hard to steer and hard to return steering to straight after completing turn.

Steering has seized up. U joint constantly needs to be lubed.

My steering wheel has become really stiff, because the #2 shaft steering was poorly desing, it's rusted and gets dirty because it doesn't have a boot or nothing covering it. Truck is stiff when turning, and almost gets stock when turning back to straight.

Lower intermediate steering shaft universal joint bearings rust resulting in the steering wheel being difficult the turn. Some of have reported the steering locking. The part number 45203-04020.

The universal joint on the intermediate steering shaft corrodes and seizes causing a potential problem steering. It is a serious safety issue in my opinion. It is an on-going issue.

Steering locking up. Took shaft off with u joint. Got ot to loosen upwith heat and lube. Put back on till I can get new one. Dtarting to lock up again. Had frame recall done. Toyota said no recall on joint at that time.

Steering issue. When I turn the steering wheel I experience stiffness on/off on the turn. I noticed the u joint was rusted out. I sprayed it with silicone, worked fine for a while, now the stiffness is back. I believe Toyota needs to recall this u joint replacement. This is a huge safety issue.

After frame was replaced I started having stiffness in my steering.

With out warning, my steering got very stiff and the wheels would not return to center automatically. After researching I found that it could be the u-joint on the lower steering shaft. I sprayed lubricant on the u-joint and this temporarily resolved the issue. The binding returns every week or so. The u-joint is not protected from the elements allowing road grime, salt and other contaminants to get into the u-joint. This is a very big safety concern and should be recalled. When I spoke to the dealer they stated to keep lubing it until it stops working. This seems to be dangerous and I will be working to replace it. I am seeing that the cost is ~ $350 to have a dealership perform the repair. Please investigate as this is a very big safety issue and many Tacoma owners of the 2005 to at least the 2012 model are indicating having this issue at different mileage.

Tl-the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, when the steering wheel was turned to the left or right the steering wheel become hard to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000. Mc.

Steering issue. When I turn the steering wheel I experience stiffness on/off on the turn. I noticed the u joint was rusted out. I sprayed it with silicone, worked fine for a while, now the stiffness is back. I believe Toyota needs to recall this u joint replacement. This is a huge safety issue.

Steering shaft binds suddenly at lower universal joint, resulting in loss of steering input.

Returning home with my grandson from visiting a state university I head a knocking sound in the front of of the vehicle. I thought a rubber bushing had failed because previous models of Toyotas (tercels) made the same sound when the torsion bar bushings needed to be replaced. Upon returning home I found the sway bar had come out of the left bracket which secures it to the frame and was striking the front left spring of the spring and shock absorber assembly. The sway bar bracket had bent under the weight of the sway bar because the frame had rusted out where the rear sway bay bracket mounting bolt connects to the frame. There is no frame material on the bottom of the frame to reattach the sway bar bracket. The bottom of the frame has rusted out. Looking at the bottom of the frame it has excessive rust. I have owned Toyotas since 1977 or 78. Owning tercels, corolla, camry, 1995 Toyota pickup and a 4runner. Toyota quality this Tacoma is not!.

The brake lines are all rusty on my truck. I had to have one brake line replaced and all are in danger of leaking at any time. There is so much rust on the underside of my truck that more of the brake lines are going to break and cause an accident. Also I just had to have the steering rack replaced at 63000 miles and the lines to the steering rack were rusty and had to be replaced.

The power steering on my 2006 Toyota Tacoma stops working and makes it almost impossible to steer at times. I had it towed to the Toyota dealer and they said they could not find any thing wrong with the steering. It seems to just happen at times but it could very easily cause an accident when it does.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer. The contact applied grease to the universal joint in the steering shaft but the remedy failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 82,000.

The Tacoma intermediate steering shaft is unprotected and exposed to the elements under the truck, this problem is common with all Tacomas from 2005 to present 1012 model. My steering began to lock while driving at highway speed giving the feel that I could not turn the truck. The problem appears suddenly and for a short time seems to come and go. According to numerous forum websites, this is becoming a wide spread problem. Due to its exposure to the elements, the universal joint fails and binds making the vehicle feel like the steering wheel is locking up. Spraying the joint with a penetrant will loosen it temporarily to confirm that this is the problem. If not corrected, the universal may bind completely or snap, this will undoubtedly cause loss of steering or control at highway speed. I recently had mine replaced by a Toyota dealership and I am aware of many others with the same issue. This can be a serious safety issue resulting in a crash or even death! other manufacturers that I am aware of cover their universal with a plastic cover device to protect it from the elements, Toyota does not. My vehicle had this failure at 164,000 miles, but I know of failures with as little as 60,000 miles.

Accident on a four way street, gas pedal and steering wheel stuck.

My 2006 Tacoma developed a leak at the rack for the power steering at 1600 miles and was discovered at two months outside of warranty. Dealer and Toyota America have refused to cover this failure. I have noted over the internet that several other Tacoma owners have had this same failure which may be the result of the power steering unit not being robust enough to handle the large (stock) tires on the vehicle.

New 2006 Toyota Tacoma steering pulls to the left dealer performed TSB.