SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota Camry steering problems
severe 71 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
71
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 71 steering complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
What stands out
Owners have filed 71 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 18 model years of Toyota Camry in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
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.
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The intermediate steering shaft is the top complaint. Owners describe a clunking, knocking, or grinding noise from the steering column that starts between 25,000 and 50,000 miles, worsens over time, and eventually requires replacement. Many taken to dealers discover the part is loose or failing. Costs run $400–$660 out of pocket beyond the 36-month/36,000-mile warranty; inside warranty, Toyota applies TSBs ST001-06 and TSB 0296-08, though initial greasing fixes are temporary.
Power steering loss also appears in the narratives—sudden inability to turn the wheel at highway speeds, sometimes tied to belt or pulley failure. A few owners report the steering wheel spinning out of control or failing to respond on freeway merges, resulting in crashes and injuries.
Steering column binding (wheel locks, won't turn) and pulling hard to one side are also cited, often misdiagnosed by dealers as alignment or tire issues. Dealers frequently dismiss clunking as normal or "very minor" in writing, even when a TSB exists. Owners note dealers admit the shaft wears "all the time" yet refuse to recall or extend warranty coverage. One owner documented over 17,000 online hits for Camry intermediate shaft complaints.
Same Toyota Camry steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Intermediate Steering Shaft Wear and Failure
The intermediate steering shaft (the component connecting the steering column to the rack) wears prematurely and fails, causing clunking, knocking, and popping noises when turning or driving over bumps. The shaft can become loose, bind, or require full replacement.
When: Typically between 25,000–50,000 miles, though some cases reported at lower mileage (15,000 miles) and higher mileage (73,000+ miles); failures can occur within warranty period but accelerate beyond it.
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking, knocking, popping, or grinding noise from steering when turning the wheel left or right; Grinding or clunking noise when driving over bumps or uneven pavement; Loose, stiff, or binding steering wheel feel; Vibration or rattling through the steering wheel; Steering wheel continues to turn on its own in one direction
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota Service Bulletin ST001-06 (dated 2/16/06) initially recommended lubrication or re-greasing; later TSB ST002R-04 and TSB 0296-08 addressed the same issue. Permanent fix requires replacement of the intermediate steering shaft assembly (part #45220-33270 cited). Costs typically $400–$660 for parts and labor; some dealers applied 'goodwill' adjustments. Newer replacement shafts are sealed and cannot be greased.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletins (TSB ST001-06, TSB 0296-08, TSB ST002R-04) but repair coverage limited to 36 months/36,000 miles under basic warranty. Beyond that period, owners pay out of pocket. Dealers acknowledged the issue is common ('replace these intermediate shafts all the time') but refused coverage once warranty expired. No formal recall issued despite multiple owner complaints referencing over 17,000 online hits. Toyota stated in some cases that the issue was 'normal wear and tear' or 'very minor.'
Power Steering Loss or Failure
Sudden loss of power steering while driving, making the steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. In some cases, loss of power steering coincided with belt or pulley failure.
When: Can occur at any mileage; cases reported at 800–1,000 miles (very early failure), around 45,000 miles, and at 125,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering while driving; Extremely difficult steering wheel requiring great manual effort to turn; Steering wheel suddenly unresponsive or non-responsive to input; Grinding noise from under the hood before loss of power steering
Repairs/costs cited: One case (narrative #8) involved bent pulley and belt coming off, repaired for approximately $500. Another case involved belt falling off; alternator subsequently died. Power steering pump replacement performed under warranty in one case (six months old vehicle).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One 2011 recall (402,000 vehicles) addressed faulty crankshaft pulley causing power steering failure, but affected 2005 Camrys were not included in that recall despite owners reporting identical symptoms. Toyota denied several complaints, stating no open recalls exist on 2005 models.
Steering Column Lock/Binding
Steering column locks up or binds, preventing the steering wheel from turning or the ignition key from turning. Intermittent binding can occur after turning, making the steering wheel stick in one direction.
When: Reported at 34,000 miles and at various intervals.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks and will not unlock; Ignition key will not turn when steering wheel is locked; Steering wheel binds or sticks after making a turn, refusing to return to center; Intermittent stiffness in steering wheel between 11 o'clock and 2–3 o'clock positions
Repairs/costs cited: One owner required towing and paid $75 for unlock; dealer diagnostics ($65) found no defect and advised continuing normal driving. Another case required steering column and bearing replacement at no cost under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised owners to 'continue to jiggle or play with the steering and the key until able to turn the ignition to start.' No recall issued.
Steering Wheel Instability and Loss of Directional Control
Steering wheel becomes loose, spins out of control, or fails to respond during normal driving maneuvers. In severe cases, the steering wheel separates or comes undone, causing complete loss of vehicle control and crashes.
When: Reported as early as 537 miles; also at 800–1,000 miles and at various higher mileages.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel spins out of control or becomes unable to keep vehicle straight; Steering wheel does not respond to input when attempting to turn; Vehicle does not turn to the degree the wheel is turned; Steering wheel comes loose or undone; Vehicle pulls hard to the left or right and cannot be corrected
Repairs/costs cited: Inspector report mentioned steering wheel could come undone. Vehicles were destroyed or totaled in crash incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated they would send an inspector only if death was involved. One inspector report confirmed steering wheel could come undone. No recalls issued for steering control failures.
Steering Shaft Noise and Bearing Wear (Intermediate Shaft Universal Joints)
Universal joints in the steering intermediate shaft wear out, causing progressive noise that can advance to failure. The joints clunk or knocking but are initially dismissed as minor.
When: Noise typically develops between 35,000–50,000 miles but can begin earlier.
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking, knocking, popping noise when turning steering wheel; Sound appears worse when turning at low speeds (0–30 mph) or over bumps; Noise progressively worsens over time; Steering wheel feels looser than normal at all speeds
Repairs/costs cited: TSB ST001-06 suggested lubrication as temporary fix; owners and dealers reported greasing does not last. Replacement with newer sealed design is permanent fix ($400–$660).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued TSB ST001-06 and subsequent bulletins but limited warranty coverage to 36 months/36,000 miles. Dealers refused coverage beyond that period and sometimes dismissed the issue as 'normal' or 'very minor' even when TSB existed.
Rack and Pinion Leakage and Steering Play
Rack and pinion steering assembly develops leakage from the boot, indicating seal failure and steering play (looseness). Issue was recalled in some cases but not consistently applied.
When: Reported at 9+ years of ownership; one case at service visit in 2014.
Symptoms owners cite: Leaky boot on rack and pinion; Excessive steering play (looseness in steering feel); Grinding noise associated with leakage
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported being informed the issue was recalled 9 years prior and should have been addressed. Entire braking system needed replacement in one case due to cross-contamination.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall was issued for rack and pinion steering leakage, but owners were not notified. One case referenced NHTSA Campaign Number 24E101000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Steering).
Synthesized from 71 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The steering column generates a sound similar to ice and rocks sloshing around whenever the vehicle changes position--from stop to start, or acceleration or deceleration. I have taken it to Toyota dealership. Was told they could not hear this sound. Nothing done to repair or replace, but sound persists. The car has 48,000 miles on it now--sounds began around 35,000 miles. Subsequent email to…
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Toyota Camry?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 71 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 56 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 36,500 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 48,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,500; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
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.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/Camry.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.