POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING. TOLD BY DEALER IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
2006 Toyota Avalon steering problems
moderate 35 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
THE TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN LOCK LOOSENS DURING NORMAL DRIVING. USUALLY THE LOCK LEVER ONLY DROPS LOW ENOUGH TO HIT YOUR KNEES AS YOU EXIT THE CAR AFTER A DRIVE, BUT DOES NOT LOOSEN ENOUGH TO RELEASE THE COLUMN TELESCOPE. TODAY IT DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE COLUMN (WHICH I HAVE FULLY EXTENDED NORMALLY) COLLAPSED FORWARD (COMPRESSED). I LOST SOME VEHICLE CONTROL AS I …
STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPING LEVER DROPS DURING NORMAL DRIVING. FULLY DOWN (ALTHOUGH NOT VISIBLE THROUGH STEERING COLUMN) WITHIN 2-3 HOURS DRIVING. LEAVES STEERING WHEEL WITH FREE PLAY DURING OPERATION. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Toyota Avalon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 35 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.