Two problems related to steering rack and pinion have been reported for the 2004 Toyota Tundra. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Toyota Tundra based on all problems reported for the 2004 Tundra.
Started hearing clunking noise in truck. Made appointment with ase certified mechanic and he asked us to come back to the shop. The structure of the frame that holds the rack and pinion steering and anti-sway bar mount was gone. Both of the tops of the frame of the cross member that goes under the engine was missing. The frame rail under the cab is separating. He advised that this condition was a massive safety issue and that I should contact Toyota and advise them. I called a dealership in zanesville and they advised they could not help because it was not a recall and Toyota gave me a case number and transferred me to someone else who told me they could not help me. He also got a second opinion from another individual who also said that this is a safety issue that should be addressed by the manufacturer. I have more photos and I now know I can not drive a truck that I spent $24,000 on June of 2019. I am glad I did not wreck my vehicle and hurt my family or anyone else because of this issue. Please help me repair my truck. When we purchased the vehicle the factory undercoating was still in tact and this was not visible underneath.
High pitch sound when I go to turn the steering wheel. Power steering fluid reservoir empty. Took to dealership and they said the rack and pinion is no good and has to be replaced at a cost of $1900. 00. The issue I have is, I have a CO-worker who bought the same truck I did, in the same month I did. His has 145,000 miles and his rack and pinion went out two weeks ago. Less than 10,000 miles between these incidents is quite a coincidence.