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 2005 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Complaint Against Ben Nielsen Skyline Automotive - Faulty Repairs & Lack of Response I am filing a complaint regarding incomplete and faulty repairs performed on my household's 2005 Toyota Corolla CE at Ben Nielsen Skyline Automotive on November 22, 2024 (Invoice #1 attached) and January 3, 2025 (Invoice #2 attached). During my first visit, the mechanic identified an oil leak, added dye to locate the source, and instructed me to return after 100 miles for further repairs. I followed these instructions and returned on January 3, 2025, when the shop also adjusted the tie rod and installed new rear brakes. At the time, I trusted that the work had been completed to a professional standard and that my vehicle was safe to drive. …
While I was going into a right turn the vehicle keep going in a straight line losing all controls, the brakes did not engage causing the car to slam into the curb. I have been driving for 35 years and this has never happened to me while driving.
I was driving down the 210 fwy going east. I was driving in the fast lane and there was a big rig to the right of my vehicle traveling in the same direction. Out of no where my car began fish tailing. I was fighting hard with my steering wheel as to avoid colliding with the big rig next to me. I nearly regained control of the vehicle, and again out of no where my car began fish tailing violently worse than before. At that time I was unable to regain control of the car. My steering wheel pulled hard to the left, spinning my car around into the carpool lane impacting the front right passenger side into the center divider and bouncing off causing the rear of my car to swing and hit the center divider a second time . The car then came to a stop leaving my car facing oncoming traffic. I was able to get across the lanes and pull my car off of the freeway. …
The brakes failed, causing the vehicle to crash into a wall while attempting to park in a garage. Also, power steering did not work during inclement weather, making the ability to maintain control of the vehicle difficult. Manufacturer was contacted by consumer. Prior to the accident, the brakes locked up and skidded in dry road conditions. Vehicle surged forward when attempting to stop vehicle. When the power steering failed the battery light came on. Dealer found nothing wrong and no adjustments were made. After vehicle came back from dealer's inspection there was a grinding/scretching noise. Consumer had to take vehicle back to dealer and found that the backing plate behind the rotors was bent. Backing plate was bend back into place. Consumer felt grinding noise was not a result of accident and/or damages occured to vehicle.
While traveling at 35mph on a 50mph roadway, anticipating to stop or steer off the roadway, my 2005 Toyota Corolla brakes and steering failed despite repeated attempts to stop or steer the vehicle to the soft shoulder to avoid rear ending the vehicle stopped ahead of me. Once I applied my brakes, the steering mechanism became non responsive as though both brakes and steering failed. I watched my vehicle continued on its forward trajectory until it slammed into the rear of the vehicle at the red light. In addition, one would have expected the air bag on this vehicle to deploy at impact at this speed. To my surprise and that of the investigating officer from tampa police department, the air bag did not deploy. Luckily, I was the only one in the vehicle as neither the driver's air bag nor the passenger air bag deployed.
Dt: on 7-19-05 consumer's vehicle was involved in an accident. During the accident the seat belt disconnected, and the steering wheel locked in the down position, and it knocked the steering wheel upward while it was still locked. The consumer sustained injuries, including whip-lash, shaking, and a concussion. The consumer refused to go to the hospital. A police report was taken because consumer's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle, causing it to hit another vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. When the contact attempted to make a left turn while driving 5 MPH, the traction control feature activated causing the steering wheel to lock and caused the contact to crash into a ditch. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership and there were no prior warnings. The contact was not injured. A police report was not filed for the incident. The current and failure mileages were 40,000. Updated 3/12/10 updated 06/18/10
I owned a 2005 Toyota Corolla it was wrecked in May of 2009 the steering and brakes locked up on the car I told my insurance company what happened but they did not check into it . I have called the Toyota company and they told me to write a letter I also have spoken with several attorneys. I as of right now have no other way of transportation because the insurance company did not pay the car off completely.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. While driving 20 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 125,272.
My husband bought my 2005 Corolla as a wedding gift. It was slightly used but bought from one of the best Toyota dealerships in our town. It had approx. 18000 miles when I got t in feb of 2007. It was very basic and a standard. The shifting/clutch never seemed right from the start but I learned how to deal with it. In feb of 2010, I was leaving work and was a few miles from home. I had never in my many years of driving had a wreck. The truck ahead of me came to an abrupt stop and as I tried to brake,my car seemed to speed up and went right up under the truck. The whole front end smashed right up to the windshield yet the airbag did not deploy. Insurance deemed it a total loss but it was right at the point where I still owed as much as the pay off so they went ahead and fixed it. I was out a lot of money. The second wreck just occurred on March 15,2013. …
Steering complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Toyota Corolla, 3% of the model year's 854 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Corolla steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2005 Toyota Corolla, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Corolla steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.