A new repair procedure and overhaul kit have been developed for repairing the power steering rack to improve the overall serviceability and reduce ownership cost. This repair procedure only applies to vehicles where the steering rack leak is originating from the right (passenger) side and is the OEM steering rack assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota Sienna steering problems
moderate 79 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
79
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1fire
What stands out
Of the 14 model years of Toyota Sienna we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 79.
Owners have filed 79 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.
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.
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0030-14 .
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TOYOTA: INFORMATION BEING PROVIDED REGARDING REPAIR PROCEDURE TO CORRECT OIL LEAKAGE FROM BOOTS OF STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two dominant failure categories in the 2005 Sienna's steering system.
First: U-joint corrosion and rack-and-pinion wear. Starting around 39 months and 40,000 miles, owners report the steering column's U-joint corrodes from road salt and moisture exposure—worsened by the lack of a protective rubber boot. Steering becomes stiff, especially at cold start, and binds unpredictably when turning. The power steering rack develops internal leaks, causing oil stains on driveways and occasional smoke from under the hood. Some owners report total rack replacement costs of $1,200–$1,800. One owner cited corrosion "exactly what happened to our U-joint" after just 3 years, mirroring a spare-tire-cable corrosion recall Toyota acknowledged.
Second: VSC and ABS system unwanted activation. Multiple owners report the Vehicle Stability Control and anti-lock brakes engage suddenly on dry roads at normal speeds—on curves, straightaways, and highway ramps—without any skid condition present. The system applies brakes hard (decelerating from 50 to 20 mph in seconds), jerks the steering wheel left or right, and leaves drivers unable to steer. Dealerships cannot retrieve fault codes, and steering angle sensor replacement ($850+) has not resolved the issue. Owners report widespread online complaints of identical behavior but no recall from Toyota.
Both issues create significant control loss. Owners note Toyota has not issued recalls despite acknowledging similar corrosion problems in other components and despite awareness of widespread complaints.
Same Toyota Sienna steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Corroded steering U-joint / intermediate shaft
U-joint in the steering column corrodes from road salt and moisture exposure, causing stiffness, binding, and loss of steering control. Owners report stiff steering at cold start, difficulty turning the wheel, and occasional locking. One owner found a corroded U-joint at 39 months old; others cite corrosion as a design flaw due to lack of protective boot.
When: 39 months old; varies from 15,000 to 139,350 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Stiff steering, especially at cold start or low-speed maneuvering; Steering wheel binding or locking intermittently; Difficult to turn steering wheel; requires excessive force; Steering wheel does not self-center; Bumpy or sticky feel when turning; Loud popping or clicking noise from steering column when turning
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of steering shaft/intermediate shaft assembly with U-joint; quoted $1,169–$2,000+ for shaft and related components; some owners applied penetrating oil temporarily ($1–$2,000 range for full repair)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota dealer aware of issue but states HQ has not authorized warranty coverage; no recall issued
Rack and pinion seal leakage and wear
The power steering rack and pinion develops internal seal leaks, allowing fluid to escape. Owners report visible oil stains on driveways, smoke from under the hood, and sometimes complete functional failure with loss of steering control or fluid-induced safety hazards.
When: Around 41,000–90,000 miles; some failures at lower mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Oil stains or leaks on driveway; Smoke coming from under hood during highway driving; Power steering fluid loss; Steering becomes stiff or spongy; Clunking noise when turning into parking spots; Internal power steering rack failing
Repairs/costs cited: Complete rack and pinion replacement; quoted $1,200–$1,800; one owner reported $1,300 repair cost; denied warranty coverage despite Toyota's prior knowledge of similar failures in other 2005 models
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledge issue but deny warranty coverage; no recall issued. One owner noted Toyota rep expressed surprise at failure at low mileage.
VSC / traction control system erratic activation
Vehicle Stability Control and anti-lock braking system activate without cause on dry roads at normal speeds and in normal turning conditions. The vehicle suddenly applies brakes, causes rapid deceleration, and jerks the steering wheel, creating loss of driver control. Owners report this happens frequently and dangerously on curves, straightaways, and highway ramps.
When: Various mileages reported: 113,000 miles; occurs after 2–6 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: VSC and traction control lights illuminate unexpectedly; ABS brakes engage without driver input on dry roads; Vehicle decelerates rapidly (50 mph to 20 mph in seconds); Steering jerks or swerves to the right or left without warning; Audible beeping alarm activates; Vehicle shakes or shudders during activation; Happens on curves, straightaways, off-ramps, and lane changes at 25–70 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Steering angle sensor replacement attempted (cost ~$850); some owners report sensor replacement did not resolve issue; dealers unable to retrieve fault codes unless light is active; zero calibration and wheel realignment performed without resolving problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued; dealers claim no other customers report similar issues (despite widespread online complaints); Toyota has not authorized corrective action
Power steering pump failure
Power steering pump fails or burns out, leaving the driver with extremely stiff steering that is difficult to control. Owners report the pump requires replacement, then fails again within months or a year.
When: 40,000–52,000 miles; recurrence within months to one year
Symptoms owners cite: Very stiff steering wheel; Difficult to turn steering wheel; requires excessive force; Burning smell related to drive belt; Abnormal engine noise
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement; one owner replaced pump and belts at 40,000 miles, then faced same stiffness again less than one year later at ~52,000 miles
Steering column yoke failure
The steering yoke in the steering column wears or fails, producing squeaking noise and causing difficulty when turning the steering wheel.
When: Around 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking noise from steering column (especially in reverse); Stiff steering wheel occasionally over extended period; Difficulty turning steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Steering yoke replacement performed at dealer warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer performed warranty repair
Steering rack binding and loss of control
The steering rack binds intermittently, making the steering wheel very difficult or impossible to turn. The binding comes and goes suddenly, creating unpredictable and dangerous steering response. Some owners report the vehicle becomes difficult to control, with the steering feeling loose or unstable.
When: 41,000 miles (early failure); 157,000 miles (later failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel binds and becomes very difficult to turn; Binding is intermittent and varies in severity; Steering wheel suddenly becomes easy after being hard; Occurs at all speeds and when stationary; Vehicle shakes, especially over 40 mph; Loud noise when turning steering wheel; Feels like loose wheel or slipping
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement or binding steering rack and steering shaft replacement; one vehicle at 41,000 miles required replacement
Steering shaft input failure
The steering shaft input component malfunctions, causing very stiff steering and making the vehicle difficult to control during turning.
When: Unknown mileage (owner states only Toyota part left in stock, suggesting recurring issue)
Symptoms owners cite: Very hard to turn steering wheel; Stiff steering that is awkward and difficult to maneuver; Problem persists during expressway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Input shaft replacement; part number cited; cost $374.19 plus tax and labor
Intermittent power steering failure
Power steering fails intermittently, causing sudden loss of power assist and increased steering effort. The failure is unpredictable and inconsistent, making emergency steering maneuvers difficult and increasing crash risk.
When: Unknown exact mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist suddenly disappears; Steering effort increases dramatically and unpredictably; Intermittent nature makes condition unsafe
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple online complaints suggest this is a known issue; no specific repair costs cited in this narrative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No action taken; issue widespread on internet forums but not addressed by manufacturer
Steering knuckle corrosion from dissimilar metals
Steel bolts or fasteners in contact with aluminum steering components cause galvanic corrosion. The steering knuckle (exposed outside firewall) becomes corroded and sticky from water and salt exposure, requiring frequent lubrication to function.
When: Various mileages; chronic issue over years
Symptoms owners cite: Stiff steering that becomes normal with lubrication; Steering knuckle becomes corroded and sticky; Requires frequent penetrating oil application to maintain function; Problem persists over years of ownership
Repairs/costs cited: Temporary fix: spray with penetrating oil ($1–$2); permanent fix would require engineering redesign with protective boot or dissimilar-metal isolation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No action; design issue using dissimilar metals without corrosion protection
Synthesized from 79 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Toyota Sienna?
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 Sienna?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 79 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 66 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 63,205 and 116,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 63,205; a quarter make it past 116,000. 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/Sienna.
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.