TOYOTA: VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION WITH MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES BECOMING INOPERATIVE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS COLD SOAKED IN SUB FREEZING (BELOW 14 F[-10 C]) AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES. A NEW RELAY AND WIRE HARNESS HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE THIS CONDITION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Camry steering problems
severe 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 32 steering complaints filed for the 2006 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 32 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.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 2006 Camry steering system shows persistent defects across multiple subsystems. Owners consistently report clunking or knocking from the intermediate steering shaft starting as early as 18,000 miles and worsening with age—Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin ST001-06 in February 2006 to address this, but dealers refuse coverage once vehicles exceed 36,000 miles or warranty expiration, even though the company knew about the problem.
Steering rack and pinion leaks appear in the 34,000–117,000 mile range, sometimes recurring within a year of replacement. Power steering pumps fail around 58,000–63,000 miles despite owner adherence to maintenance schedules. Steering pull—requiring constant hand pressure to keep the car straight—happens across all mileages, worsening on highways and curves.
Most concerning are locking failures where the steering wheel becomes immovable or sticks after turns, with at least one resulting in a crash causing back, torso, and neck injuries. Owners report dealer dismissal, manufacturer refusal to assist, and repair costs from $300 to over $1,300. Multiple owners claim mechanic knowledge of this as a Camry-model-specific issue.
Same Toyota Camry steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Intermediate steering shaft noise and clunking
Clunking or knocking sounds emanating from the steering column or shaft, particularly during turns or low-speed steering inputs. Noise occurs at the intermediate shaft joint and becomes progressively worse over time.
When: 18,000 to 82,000 miles; some owners report within first 500 miles on new vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunking noise from steering column when turning; Knocking sound when turning steering wheel; Noise from steering shaft joint; Clunking heard during left or right turns; Noise progressively worsens over time
Repairs/costs cited: Intermediate shaft replacement ($517 cited); inner steering shaft replacement; steering shaft joint replacement ($300+ cited)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin ST001-06 dated 02.16.2006 for replacement under warranty. Coverage limited to vehicles under 36,000 miles or within warranty period; dealers refused repairs once vehicles exceeded mileage threshold despite known service bulletin
Steering rack and pinion leaks
Power steering fluid leaking from the rack and pinion assembly. Leaks can recur even after replacement and present risk of steering control loss if fluid is depleted.
When: 34,000 to 117,794 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking from steering system; Knocking sound when turning steering wheel alongside power steering leak; Loss of steering ability risk if leak worsens
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion assembly replacement (costs cited: $1,200–$1,300+); boot replacement; repeated failure one year after first replacement in at least one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but offered no assistance in cases reported
Power steering pump failure and leakage
Power steering pump leaks fluid and fails to provide adequate pressure, causing steering resistance and control issues. One owner reports leak despite strict adherence to manufacturer maintenance schedule.
When: 58,000–59,000 miles; 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel not responding normally; Knocking sound when turning steering wheel; Power steering fluid leaking
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement; steering rack replacement ($1,300+ cited due to risk of steering control loss)
Steering wheel pulling left or right
Persistent pulling or drifting of the steering wheel to one side, requiring constant steering correction. More pronounced during highway driving, curves, and over bumps.
When: Reported across varying mileages, from early ownership through 108,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel pulls to the left while driving; Steering wheel pulls left and right, especially on freeway and curves; Pulling while braking; Pulling more frequent on bumpy roads and highways; Vehicle parked at an angle despite straight parking input; Steering wheel stiff when making sharp turns as if power steering inadequate; Swerving and shaking at highway speeds (65 mph) that continues when slowed to 49 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Steering knuckle and wheel replacement ($63,000 miles); lower control arm bushing replacement ($1,000+ cited at 43,000 miles)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but offered no assistance in reported cases
Steering wheel locking or sticking
Steering wheel becomes difficult or impossible to turn, or locks in position after turns. Severe cases present immediate crash risk.
When: Reported across mileages from 10,000 to 238,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn in either direction; Loss of vehicle control resulting in crash into utility pole; Steering wheel sticks to right position after right turn; Steering wheel locked when making left turns at 90-degree angles for a few seconds; Steering wheel locked, ignition key refused to turn
Repairs/costs cited: One case resulted in injury crash (back, torso, neck injuries); repairs not documented in most locking cases
Steering wheel noises and stiffness with control arm issues
Steering components produce clunking or popping sounds with accompanying looseness or stiffness during normal driving and turning maneuvers.
When: Reported at 10,000 and 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Slight clunk with soft sound when turning steering wheel; Popping and loose steering while turning, stopping, accelerating, or just driving; Steering wheel stiffness in tight spaces
Repairs/costs cited: Lower control arm bushing breakdown; both control arms replacement ($1,000+ cited); intermediate shaft replacement
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
2006 camry, bought new, may, '07. Feel slight clunk with soft sound when turn steering wheel. Dealer diagnosed as bushing/lower control (steering) arm breaking down. Replaced both control arms at cost of $1000+ not including taxes. Car has approx. 70,000 km (43,000 mi), is treated for rust prevention annually (krown) and not driven hard (99%) well paved roads. Normal wear (never experienced…
Had steering trouble with your 2006 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 2006 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 32 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 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 33,911 and 72,000 miles, with the median around 61,288. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,911; a quarter make it past 72,000. 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/2006/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.