Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota Avalon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving on an expressway at apx 65 MPH going onto the off ramp going down to 25mph the steering became very tight and then as I drove home the steering wheel started clicking. I checked fluids at home and they looked OK. Drove around the block and power steering was gone left and right then heard a grinding noise, it felt OK going straight. After I drove it it became more intermittent with power coming and going altogether. On 8/26/15 had a small accident on the front quarter panel. It was at body shop for 4 days. I had asked them to check the steering and they said it was the rack and pinion. Called Toyota and was told the recall in 2010 was for a different steering issue than the steering problem that I mentioned. Toyota said they cannot help me. I informed them of a disability I have and might not be able to adjust to it. Too bad!
I was just coming off the expressway driving from 75 MPH, down to 35 getting off the ramp. As I exited onto the ramp I noticed that the steering was getting really hard to control and had a pounding noise . From that location it took about three more big turns where I had an extremely hard time turning the wheel. When I got home, checked levels in power steering fluid, which needed a little more, so I filled it ,and coolant levels looked normal. I drove around the block to see if it made a difference. It was actually getting worse. Now the pounding noise got louder and it was still really hard to turn, and eventually developed a clicking/grinding noise. So now I'm going to call Toyota to see if they have a recall to cover what is going on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. While driving speeds over 45 MPH, the steering wheel would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the vehicle needed a wheel alignment. The wheel alignment was performed but the failure continued to occur. The contact indicated that later, when starting the vehicle the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed that the failure was due to an internal leak in the rack and pinion. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 48,000.
Car was taken in 05/2016 for recall work to replace SRS and ECU. After recall repair, intermittent pax side airbag light flashes on and off saying passenger airbag issue. Dealer refuses to do more than specified recall replacement. We now cannot tell if we have airbags that will work and if the restraint system will tension the seat belts in an accident. The additional issue is that the front springs and struts have a flaw that makes a well aligned car, pull left. We are replacing this Toyota flaw at our own expense despite the presence of a service notice.
Air bag dashboard light occasionally flickers and begins to glow for a few seconds. Seems to occur more frequently in wet weather. My steering wheel will lock when I turn left or right while driving. Reversed backwards a little bit and wiggled the steering wheel, it wouldn't budge then I went forward and wiggled and it finally loosened. This has happened 4 times and usually in wet weather. My car is listed in the air bag recall of 2015; however, I have not been notified of what to do next and it has now been more than 3 years since first notification.
My steering wheel will lock when I turn left or right while driving ..this morning I was just starting my car and was turning left and my steering wheel locked and I went up the sidewalk and almost hit the fence and I couldn't move it I reversed backwards a little bit and wiggle the steering wheel and it wouldn't budge then I went forward and wiggled and it finally loosened. This has happened 4 times now usually in the morning. And my mileage is 140,822
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that extra strength was needed to steer the vehicle and the failure occurred periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
At approximately 20,000 miles steering felt stiff. When turning, steering wheel did not return to position properly. Steering wheel feedback did not provide a smooth motion when making turns. Steering effort was intermittent. This condition was dangerous because since steering should be a smooth precise maneuver, any unexpected steering response is potentially dangerous. Because the car had low mileage but was out of warranty, Toyota, corp. Paid for parts and I paid for labor. Toyota dealer found steering shaft joint binding and replaced part. Problem returned at approximately 35,000 miles. This time dealer replaced steering main shaft assy. Tilt r&r. And shaft sub-assembly.
In December, I took my 2004 Avalon to the dealership for the steering column bracket recall. Shortly after, I returned to the dealership complaining about my odd steering. I could feel the steering stiffen, then return to normal, then back to stiffening. The dealership had the car for a day to check out the steering which they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Now, my steering is stiff all of the time. I am afraid to drive the car. It is not safe to be on the road. In researching I have not found a recall for this problem. Clearly, there is a steering problem since I have found several similar complaints. A recall should immediately be ordered by Toyota.
On 30 December 2010, I took my 2004 Toyota Avalon for service per a recall for a steering bracket replacement. I picked up the car on 03 January 2011 and drove it home. The next time it was driven was on January 10 and I noticed the steering was "sticking" so I notified the Toyota service department. While driving to have the vehicle checked, the steering locked up and I nearly crashed before managing to stop. The car was towed in for service and I was told that there was a problem with the "steering rack". I have serious concerns that repairs to the steering due to a recall were performed and immediately following this problem occurred.
Related recalls
Steering
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2000-2004 avalon vehicles. Due to improper casting of the steering lock bar, there is a possibility that a minute crack May develop on the surface of the lock bar. Such a crack May expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering interlock device free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2010. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Steering complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Toyota Avalon, 14% of the model year's 205 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › pump (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Avalon steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-345 (steering, Jul 29, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Avalon steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.