TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Toyota Avalon steering problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 18 steering complaints filed for the 2009 Toyota Avalon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Steering accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 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.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2009 Toyota Avalons consistently report that the telescopic steering column adjustment lever disengages while driving, causing the steering wheel to collapse toward the dashboard. This happens repeatedly across different driving conditions—highway speeds, turns, braking, and routine city driving. The collapse occurs suddenly and with little warning, creating momentary loss of steering control and potential accident risk. Owners state the locking lever either falls down on its own or fails to maintain tension despite repeated tightening.
Some owners report the failure happens sporadically; others describe it happening multiple times within weeks or months of ownership, starting as early as 18,000 miles. A few complaints mention the horn failing, which mechanics attributed to steering column issues requiring replacement.
Dealers have responded inconsistently: some could not duplicate the failure; others acknowledged a known defect covered by Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0147-13 and a warranty enhancement program (ZTY) that expired in September 2019. Repair costs cited range from $1,000 to $1,200+ for complete steering column replacement, sometimes with realignment required. One owner received a 50% discount after persistence. Toyota Customer Care and dealerships have denied coverage after warranty expiration, citing lack of active recalls despite acknowledging the technical bulletin.
Same Toyota Avalon steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Telescopic steering column adjustment lever disengagement
The friction/locking lever securing the telescopic steering column fails to stay engaged, allowing the steering wheel to collapse toward the dashboard while driving. The lever either falls down on its own or loses tension despite being tightened.
When: Starting as early as 18,000 miles; failures reported across the vehicle's lifespan. Occurs sporadically or repeatedly, with multiple incidents within weeks or months.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel collapses unexpectedly toward dashboard while driving; Adjustment lever becomes disengaged without driver action; Loss of steering control momentarily when collapse occurs; Lever falls down or loses tension repeatedly despite re-tightening; Collapse occurs during turns, braking, and normal highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Complete steering column replacement quoted at $1,000–$1,200+, sometimes requiring realignment. One owner received 50% discount after multiple dealer visits and persistence. Parts delays reported, with some dealers unable to source parts promptly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0147-13 issued addressing telescopic lever detent clip defect. Toyota warranty enhancement program ZTY offered but expired September 2019. No formal recall issued. Toyota Customer Care and dealerships deny coverage after program expiration.
Power steering leak from CV and power steering boots
Torn CV boot and power steering return hose causing power steering fluid leakage from the steering unit.
When: Reported at 85,000 miles; issue noted as recurring problem in 2007–2010 model years
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering system leaking; Torn CV boot; Torn power steering return hose
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost cited as $1,912.21 for CV boot, power steering boot, and return hose replacement.
Horn failure related to steering column
Horn fails intermittently; dealer diagnosis indicates steering column defect is the underlying cause.
When: Reported at 18,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Horn fails intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended complete steering column replacement to resolve horn issue.
Steering wheel movement/looseness
Steering wheel moves or becomes loose while driving, making vehicle control difficult.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel moves unexpectedly; Steering wheel becomes loose; Difficult vehicle control
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The steering wheel on my 2009 avalon limited automobile collapses while driving with no apparent reason. My vehicle is equipped with an adjustable telescoping steering wheel which one can adjust for comfort & then lock into its set position. A lever below the steering column on the left side is made to lock such position. In many cases the locking lever dis-engages suddenly cause the steering…
Telescopic steering wheel lock fails while driving and steering wheel collapses. Took to Toyota of temecula valley and they said there is no known problem and no tsb. I looked on line there is a tsb for this. This failure of this dealership puts my family's safety at risk. *tr
Steering placement lock came loose while driving and steering column dropped to lowest level. This has happened 3 other times in city traffic. Trying to tighten the steering placement friction lock only seems to hold temporarily. *tr
The telescopic steering column adjustment lever will not stay secure and comes loose frequently while driving allowing the steering column to collapse in or pull out. This is a safety concern I reported to my Toyota dealer (gilroy Toyota - gilroy, ca) in july of 2019 when taking the car in to have the ac blower motor repaired and asking for a solution. After multiple calls I finally gave up. Now…
While driving down the highway the at 70 MPH telescopic steering wheel collapsed.
The steering column telescoping mechanism drops, making the steering wheel telescope all the way down while driving the car. It has almost caused multiple accidents in the past few months that we have had the 2009 avalon. Our 2005 did the same exact thing. I am now being told that we need to pay over $1100 to have the steering column replaced and have the car aligned again. This is not a…
Had steering trouble with your 2009 Toyota Avalon?
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 2009 Toyota Avalon?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 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 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 22,402 and 56,000 miles, with the median around 38,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 22,402; a quarter make it past 56,000. 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/2009/Toyota/Avalon.
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.