DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I FELT MY STEERING COLUMN GET LOOSE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT THE GAS STATION, I TRIED MAKING SURE THE COLUMN ADJUSTER WAS TIGHT, AND IT WAS. THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN WAS STILL LOOSE, AND THEN FELL OFF INTO MY LAP. AFTER THAT, MY TACOMA WOULD NOT START. RADIO WOULD NOT WORK, AND THE ODOMETER NUMBERS DISAPPEARED. I HAD TO THEN CALL A TOW TRUCK TO GET MY VEHICLE HO…
2011 toyota Tacoma steering problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
LOWER STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT RUSTED
UPON INSPECTION TO TROUBLESHOOT A MINOR POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, I NOTICED THAT THE PINION INPUT SHAFT HOUSING (RIGHT SIDE OF POWER STEERING RACK) HAD EXCESSIVE RUST BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE REST OF THE RACK DID NOT EXHIBIT THE SAME DEGREE OF CORROSION, SUGGESTING A MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY DEFECT. THE CONDITION WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND BY TOYOTA TECHNICI…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2011 toyota Tacoma?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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