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 D…
2013 toyota Tacoma steering problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
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 ANYTHING…
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 …
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?
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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