Power Steering Fluid problems of the 2002 Toyota Tundra

Vehicle made whining noise after going from park to drive. Moved a few feet and steering became very difficult. Leaking trail of fluid underneath. Private mechanic confirmed today that the power steering rack is completely rusted through and was the source of the leak. Vehicle has approximately 137k miles. Had I been on the highway, this would have been disastrous. I had just been on the highway.

When started truck, heard unusual whining noise. Started driving and steering became difficult. Stopped in parking lot and found power steering fluid leaking out on ground. Entire rack and pinion showing excessive corrosion and leaking fluid. Was able to drive to Toyota dealer. They estimate $1200 for after market repair, and $1600 for repair with Toyota parts. Truck not safe to drive until repaired. 2002 Tundra sr5.

I was driving down a "very" steep graded and winding gravel road that required consistent braking and as I was making a turn to negotiate a right turn on a curve, my steering all of a sudden failed to exist. The steering wheel seriously resisted my turning it. I was forced to apply the brakes quickly to attempt going over the side of the road and down a deeply sloped ravine of about 20 feet or so. The truck stopped with the front wheels "just over" the edge but did stop before going "over". Luckily I had a "come-along" with me and was able to crank the truck backwards enough to get the front wheels back on to the road surface. I haven't carried that with me in years ! I had to baby the truck about a mile at very low speed to get back in to town. The steering wheel was/is very difficult to turn. I "could not" make a typical turn at very slow speed and not use the opposing side of the road. I got the truck home and shut it down. I suspected a power steering leak and checked to find it was out of fluid. I used my friends vehicle to buy power steering fluid, filled it, checked and found fluid spraying out of both ends of what is known as the "rack" or tube? it took less than a few "seconds" for it to drain totally. I checked the internet to learn this is not uncommon. I did a close physical inspection to find much corrosion. This truck was the subject to the recall for and received a new chassis as a result of excessive corrosion. I consider myself very lucky. This could have been much worse !.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra sr5. The contact was driving 40 mph when the power steering seized. The contact later discovered that the power steering fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the steering rack was corroded. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 140,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while turning to enter a parking space, the steering rack fractured from the firewall and with an abnormally loud noise. The contact mentioned that after the failure, an unknown fluid leaked all over the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who verified the failure and stated that it was caused by corrosion. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 70,000.

2002 Toyota Tundra approximately 91k miles. V6 automatic. Rack and pinion assembly rusted through leaking power steering fluid. Vehicle taken to dealership for repairs. Dealership service department replaced the rack and pinion assembly. Dealership kept old part.