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 2011 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving on a straight road steering wheel suddenly jerk hard left and right several times for just a few seconds and then went normal. This caused the car to cross lane into oncoming traffic. Fortunately steering went to normal before causing head on collision. I took the car into local Toyota dealer to be checked. They could not duplicate trouble. No warning lamps lit up and no fault codes per dealership technician.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Corolla. When the vehicle was started, the electrical power steering failed and the steering wheel would lock up. The steering wheel could not turn left or right. After twenty minutes, the vehicle was restarted and returned to normal. The electric power steering warning indicator illuminated and made a beeping sound. Additionally, the ABS and traction warning indicators illuminated intermittently and without warning. The contact also stated that the radio would turn off when changing the stations and the defrost lighting would not illuminate when activated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 92,000.
I was driving at about 20-25 MPH when I felt the steering wheel get out of control I tried to steer it in the right direction but it just steered to the right and at the moment the steering wheel locked up and I couldn't control the car causing me to run into a side walk and almost hitting a pole also the accident caused my whole wheel and suspension to completely break also the cv drive shaft came off no one was hurt but I am really concerned that if this had happened on a highway road there could have been casualties and I want a response from Toyota and help because this is very unfortunate.
When driving on interstate above 55mph, steering seems to get drifty. Feels unsafe. Very scary. We have had new tires installed and alignment checked. No semis around us or high winds. Talked to Toyota dealership in muscatine ia. They said there were no know issues. We were willing to pay for 1 hour of trouble shooting if there was a fix. Dealership states there is no know problem. We have noticed problem for more then 5 months, it is becoming more pronounced and unsafe. This my wife's primary car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Corolla. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked without warning. The steering wheel also continued turning after the turn was complete. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the vehicle was working up to specifications. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,000.
I have a 2011 Corolla le which has 12K miles on it. Till 12K everything was fine and I loved this car very much. While returning from a road trip (550 miles one way) I started noticing loosing control on the steering and the vehicle started wandering all over the lane. I thought it was due to the high winds on that day. But I got tired frequently due to this and had to take many breaks. Then I tried to reach some Toyota dealer on the way but they had no service due to easter Sunday. Somehow I managed to reach back to my home. It was really a dangerous drive especially when huge trucks were passing by. I took the vehicle to the dealer on the next day. They took the car and told me that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. I couldn't agree to them. I took the car and again noticed the problem on high ways. …
When driving on the freeway or highway at a higher rate of speed the car will drift to the right or left. When I correct the steering it then will over corrects and send me out of my lane. So I now have to drive with a firm grip on the my steering wheel which does not stop the issue but helps me to make constant little corrects at all times. Driving has never been so annoying and frustrating and terrifying all at the same time. I fear for my safety as well as my 3 year old son's safety. The NHTSA did an investigation into the steering of the 2009-2010 corollas for this same issue and could have saved us all this hassle the first go around. Maybe after a few more people die and they hit a certain quota they will do something about defective cars that are literally steering themselves. …
I am writing to report an electric power steering safety defect with my 2011 Toyota Corolla le. I purchased the car new and noticed, during my first trip on the interstate highway, it was difficult to maintain center lane because the vehicle would drift from side to side and the faster the vehicle speed the more pronounced the drift became. Road smoothness did not seem to make any difference. I assumed that since this is my first vehicle with electric power steering it must just take me some getting accustomed to driving it. Having driven it for 18 months, in varied weather and road conditions, I am now convinced it is a safety defect as it causes me much fatigue to drive it at highway speeds for more than approximately 45 minutes due to constant steering inputs required just to keep the vehicle in the lane. …
I purchased this vehicle new and it has been this way since I purchased it new but it seems has become worse. I encounter difficulty steering at high speeds. Steering is extreme sensitive with the slightest movement causes great change in the direction of the vehicle. I am concerned that the car overreacts to small steering inputs or required too much effort to keep in a lane on the highway. I feel it is unsafe. I find the car wandering and constant corrections on the highway or at higher speeds (25+). My daughter just started driving (she is 16) and it is way too sensitive for her. She feels the same way and my wife that has drove the car too. I know that there is a TSB-0140-10 on NHTSA #10034944 on steering for the 2009-2010 but I feel my car has the same issues. Maybe my car has the parts from earlier models (2009-2010). I have checked my tires air pressure and also tire wear. …
Since new, car wanders/drifts at speeds of over 65mph. Difficult to track straight in highway lane. Feels similar to driving in high crosswinds even when there are none. In the presence of large trucks or crosswinds it can feel very dangerous. Dealer does the standard "no problem found" and acts generous to not charge for the diagnosis. This is pretty obviously an issue in the electronic power steering software. Feels like it might be responding to a couple of different sensor inputs and having some difficulty deciding what to do. Perhaps it only occurs with certain combinations of input sensors? This would be the only justification for not having a full on recall. Meanwhile, very dangerous at high speeds for those of us that do have it! For reference, I drove an otherwise identical 2013 Corolla rental car recently in co. At 75mph+ the car was totally stable. …
Steering complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Toyota Corolla, 7% of the model year's 584 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota Corolla steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2011 Toyota Corolla, though it has 9 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 2011 Toyota Corolla steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 2,000 miles, and 79% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.