The steering in my tacoma has suddenly become stiff. It began 3 days ago and has gotten worse. The truck is handling poorly. The steering feels tight at all speeds. I have not solved the problem as yet but have been lubricating the universal joint at the bottom of the steering shaft. It feel similar to the same problem I had with my 2005 tacoma. The steering shaft universal joint should be…
2013 Toyota Tacoma steering problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 13 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma, 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple unresolved steering issues plague 2013 Tacomas, including persistent wheel shimmy at highway speeds, corroded U-joints that bind and seize the steering, and power steering loss during turns—often appearing early in ownership and unreplicable in dealer testing. Expect lengthy diagnostic runarounds and out-of-pocket repair costs for U-joint replacement ($460–$1,500), even after recall exclusions and dealer denials.
Owners report six distinct steering problems on 2013 Tacomas, though dealers have struggled to diagnose most of them.
Steering wheel shimmy at highway speeds (45–75 mph) is the most common complaint. Owners describe vibration that shakes the passenger seat and makes the truck bed hop. Several took their trucks to dealerships that acknowledged the problem but said nothing could be done. One owner reported seeing Toyota forums and blogs full of the issue affecting Tacomas, 4Runners, and Tundras; arbitration cases over this problem were all turned down.
Corroded U-joints in the intermediate steering shaft cause stiff, binding steering that worsens over time. Owners found the joint badly rusted, and temporary lubrication helped only briefly. Repair costs run $460–$1,500 for shaft replacement.
Loose or unstable steering on rough terrain was reported early in ownership (8,700 miles), with lug nuts found loose. A lift kit did not fix it. Dealers visited the same dirt parking lot six times and marked the visits "cannot duplicate."
Power steering loss during turns occurs suddenly at low to moderate speeds, with abnormal noises and ABS/traction control lights illuminating. One truck's entire rack and pinion was replaced for nearly $1,500, but the same symptoms returned three days later.
Steering seizure was reported at 6 miles on the odometer during highway driving and could not be replicated at the dealer.
Same Toyota Tacoma steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel shimmy/shake at highway speed
Persistent steering wheel vibration between 45–75 mph reported since new. Shaking felt throughout steering wheel and passenger seat; truck bed hopping reported. Occurs during cruising and under braking. Dealers acknowledge the problem exists but claim unable to remedy it. Not duplicated in dealer testing.
When: Highway speeds 45–75 mph; early in ownership for some, ongoing for others
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shake/shimmy at 45–75 mph; Passenger seat vibration; Truck bed hopping; Vibration intensifies during braking; Engine noise discrepancy during cruise control
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state problem is known and unable to be remedied; arbitration cases turned down
Intermediate steering shaft U-joint corrosion and binding
Lower intermediate steering shaft U-joint becomes corroded and seized, causing tight or binding steering feel. Worsens over time. Owners report lubricating U-joint provides temporary relief but does not solve problem. Dealers reluctant to diagnose; replacement required at owner cost.
When: 3 months to several years of ownership; vehicles with 80,000+ miles affected
Symptoms owners cite: Tight steering feel at all speeds; Binding or stiff spots during rotation; Steering wheel does not return smoothly to center; Difficulty turning steering wheel; Corrosion visible on U-joint
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of lower intermediate steering shaft quoted at $460–$1,500; temporary lubrication of U-joint provides short-term relief
Loose or unstable steering feel on rough terrain
On uneven dirt roads, steering feels loose or unstable; owner felt front wheels might be coming off. Lug nuts found loose. After lift kit installation, problem persisted. Dealers taken to same location multiple times and unable or unwilling to reproduce problem under actual conditions.
When: Early in ownership at 8,700 miles; occurs on rough terrain
Symptoms owners cite: Loose feeling in steering wheel; Sensation of front wheels about to come loose; Lug nuts found loose; Nasty noise when turning fully one direction and rolling; Safety concerns about vehicle integrity
Repairs/costs cited: Lift kit installation did not resolve; dealer unable/unwilling to diagnose
Power steering loss during turns
While making right turns at low to moderate speed, steering becomes hard to maneuver and power steering feel is lost. Steering wheel suddenly feels unresponsive. ABS and traction control warning lights illuminate.
When: Low to moderate speed (20–40 mph) during turns; occurs at 3,000–56,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes hard to maneuver; Loss of power steering feel; Abnormal noise from front of vehicle; Dragging tire sound; ABS warning light illumination; Traction control warning light illumination; Steering wheel pulls opposite direction of intended turn
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired by dealers; recall 14V054000 did not apply to reported VINs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed contact VIN not included in NHTSA campaign 14V054000 (ESC/brakes)
Steering rack and pinion failure
Steering locks up or becomes temporarily unresponsive during turns. Dealer replaced entire rack and pinion at substantial cost, but identical problem recurred within three days of pickup.
When: 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering temporarily locks during turns; Loss of power steering sensation; Steering unresponsiveness
Repairs/costs cited: Entire rack and pinion replacement cost nearly $1,500; problem recurred three days later
Steering wheel seizure without warning
Steering wheel seized suddenly during highway driving without any prior warning. Unable to be replicated at dealer. Reported at very low mileage (6 miles on the odometer at time of incident).
When: At 6 miles odometer reading; during 60 mph highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seizure without warning; Complete loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; failure unable to be replicated at dealer
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
When braking between 45-65 MPH, I can feel a strong shimmy and shaking in the steering wheel. I have to let off the brakes or it feels like something is going to break in the drive train, steering column, or wheels are going to fall off. Its very scary and dangerous, especially when you might not be able to stop the vehicle. I've asked the Toyota dealer to check it once and they didn't do…
my lower [ntermediate steering shaft has to be replaced repair is pending the u joint was so rusted steering was very difficult i noticed that the vehicle steering wheel would not return to normal straight it was a gradual process at least 3 months of minor to very hard steering while having some routine work done it was pointed out to me that it might need to be replaced…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Toyota Tacoma?
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 2013 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 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 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 30,000 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 56,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 85,000. 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/2013/Toyota/Tacoma.
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.