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moderate 42 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Of the 42 steering complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota Avalon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Of the 9 model years of Toyota Avalon we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 42.
Steering accounts for 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
Loss of control of the vehicle could result in a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for the Steering Column Telescopic Adjustment Lever Detent Clip in 2005- Certain 2012 Model Year Avalon vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where, after securing the telescopic adjustment lever, the steering column?s telescopic adjustment function may not retain its set adjusted position. Although the Steering Column Telescopic Adjustment Lever Detent Clip is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is now extending the warranty coverage for replacement of the Telescopic Adjustment Lever Detent Clip to address the problem described in the covered vehicles. Please see the Warranty Enhancement Program Details for additional information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where, after securing the telescopic adjustment lever, the steering column?s telescopic adjustment function may not retain its set adjusted position. Although the Steering Column Telescopic Adjustment Lever Detent Clip is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first), we at Toyota care about the customers? ownership experience. Toyota is now extending the warranty coverage for replacement of the Telescopic Adjustment Lever Detent Clip to address the problem described in the covered vehicles. Please see the Warranty Enhancement Program Details for additional information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TOYOTA: A NEW ADJUSTMENT LEVER DETENT CLIP WAS DEVELOPED TO CORRECT THE LOOSENESS OF SECURING THE TELESCOPIC ON STEERING COLUMN FOR SOME VEHICLES. MODEL 2005-2012 AVALON.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2005 ? 2012 model year Avalon vehicles may exhibit a looseness when securing then telescopic adjustment lever on the steering column. A new adjustment lever Detent Clip has been developed to address this condition. Please follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the telescopic lever Detent Clip.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners of the 2005 Avalon consistently report the telescoping steering wheel locking lever dropping or disengaging without warning, causing the wheel to collapse toward the dashboard while driving. This happens at any speed, often during braking, and some owners say it occurs multiple times per day. Clicking or cracking noises often accompany the failure. Toyota issued recall 05V227000 and a warranty extension with a May 31, 2015 deadline, but many owners fell outside this window or learned about it too late.
Steering column noises—clunking, clacking, popping, creaking—are also widespread, particularly when turning. Dealers blame insufficient factory grease on the intermediate steering shaft and recommend shaft or full-column replacement ($562–$1,835). Service Bulletin #00206 covers this under warranty, but out-of-warranty repairs are owner expense.
Less common but serious: power steering assist failures at highway speed, steering wheel pulling sharply to one side while braking, and the wheel feeling loose or misaligned. One owner lost power steering completely at 70 mph on two occasions, forcing emergency pulls to the shoulder.
Owners report dealers often dismissing concerns as normal wear, refusing to perform thorough diagnostics, or claiming defects cannot be duplicated—despite evidence that the problems recur regularly.
Same Toyota Avalon steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
The lever controlling the telescoping steering wheel fails to lock, causing the wheel to collapse downward while driving. Owners report the lever dropping spontaneously, often during braking or turning. Several owners cite a clicking or cracking noise accompanying the failure. The mechanism is designed to hold the wheel in position but does not maintain engagement.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; reported at mileages ranging from 3,000 to 91,000 miles. Failures occur sporadically and repeatedly—some owners report it happening multiple times per day, others 6-12 times per year.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel collapses downward toward dashboard or driver's lap; Locking lever disengages spontaneously; Wheel drops during braking or turning; Clicking or cracking noise from steering column when lever releases; Wheel falls 2–3 inches or fully to retracted position
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have advised that the entire steering column or assembly must be replaced; costs cited at $1,835. Some dealers claim tightening the mechanism is a fix, but owners report this fails. Owners have found evidence of TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) and NHTSA recall 05V227000 (Steering: Column) addressing this defect, though some VINs excluded from recall. Toyota issued warranty extension letters beginning April 2014, but repair window closed May 31, 2015.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 05V227000 (Steering: Column); Toyota issued warranty extension with letters beginning April 2014 and deadline of May 31, 2015. Toyota has denied responsibility for repairs outside warranty, claiming it is normal wear and tear. Service Bulletin referenced but specifics unclear from narratives.
Owners report audible and sometimes palpable noises emanating from the steering column—clunking, clacking, popping, or cracking sounds—particularly when turning the wheel or during parking maneuvers. Dealers have attributed this to insufficient factory grease on the intermediate steering shaft, leading to wear and potential loss of steering control if left unrepaired.
When: Reported at mileages from 30,000 to 105,000 miles. Noises occur consistently when turning or during certain driving conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking, clacking, or popping sounds when turning steering wheel; Thumping noise during parking and turning; Clicking noise when turning left or right; Cracking noise from telescopic steering; Vibration felt in steering wheel accompanying noise
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers diagnose as insufficient grease on intermediate steering shaft. Repair involves replacement of intermediate steering shaft or entire steering column. Costs cited: $562–$930 for shaft replacement; full column replacement approximately $1,835. Service Bulletin #00206 (NHTSA #10019669) addresses this issue under warranty, but out-of-warranty repairs denied.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin #00206 (NHTSA #10019669) covers repair under warranty; Toyota denies responsibility for out-of-warranty repairs and claims the noise is not a safety issue.
Owners report the steering wheel feeling excessively loose, with poor alignment or inability to engage properly when turning at low speeds. One owner discovered a failed retaining clip housing the steering wheel; another noted the wheel was improperly aligned.
When: Reported early in ownership (1,000 miles) and at higher mileages (52,000+ miles).
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel feels very loose; Steering wheel does not engage when turning at low speeds; Steering wheel improperly aligned; Telescoping feature does not lock
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer found failed retaining clip and replaced it at owner's expense. Another case required full steering column replacement when telescoping feature failed to lock. Repair costs borne by owners.
Complete or partial loss of power steering assist, making the wheel hard or impossible to turn. One owner experienced total power loss at highway speeds (70 mph) on two separate occasions, accompanied by engine shutdown. Another reported power steering assist failed at low speed (5 mph). A third case involved power steering pump leakage.
When: Occurred at highway speed (70 mph) and at low speed (5 mph). One incident at 141,245 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist; Steering wheel becomes hard to turn; Power steering pump leakage; Engine shuts down coinciding with power loss
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replaced in at least one case due to leakage. Another case involved replacement of steering lock and power steering pump ($750 quoted for pump alone; full repair cost not specified). One owner declined dealer recommendation to replace pump.
Steering wheel pulls sharply to one direction (left reported) when braking or at low speed, and driver is unable to keep it positioned straight. One owner experienced this issue repeatedly but dealer could not duplicate the problem.
When: Reported at 1,000–48,000 miles; occurred approximately 8 times since purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel pulls to left during braking or low-speed operation; Inability to hold steering wheel straight; Erratic steering behavior at speeds below 40 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer could not duplicate the problem and performed no repairs.
Audible clunking and vibration in the steering column itself, separate from power-steering or noise during turning. Dealer determined the problem was a defective steering column requiring full replacement.
When: Approximately 5 months out of warranty at the time of complaint.
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking sound in steering column; Vibration in steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement cost $1,835. Owner was out of warranty and paid the full cost; owner believes this is a safety issue that should be covered by manufacturer.
Synthesized from 42 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Steering column separating as identified in recall yet Toyota refuses to repair or replace defective parts. Id 05v227000. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Toyota avalon. While driving 5-40 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated and he heard clicking noise when turning left or right. The dealer stated that this was a normal occurrence. There is a recall for steering: column (NHTSA campaign id #05v227000) however, the dealer stated that his VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 45,000 and current mileage was 54,000.…
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Toyota avalon. While driving approximately 20 MPH the contact heard a cracking noise coming from the telescopic steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The lever that holds the steering wheel up released on its own while driving and it happened a few…
The steering wheel friction lever suddenly dropped and the steering wheel collapsed while the car was in motion (normal speed). Plus, there is a popping, clicking sound when turning steering wheel that you can hear and feel in the steering wheel. *tr
Telescoping steering wheel colaspses when driving.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 42 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 38,853 and 73,918 miles, with the median around 52,024. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,853; a quarter make it past 73,918. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.