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 2009 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
ODI #11516361 I bought this 2009 Toyota Tacoma with 20,990 miles on it on 11/22/2019. Then the pandemic hit the USA and the truck sat for many months. Then in April 2023 I brought the truck in for repairs and the mechanic told me the frame was rusted real bad and that the recall was past the deadline. I brought it to Toyota of Watertown Dealership on 4/07/2023 with 33,348 miles on it and they said there was nothing they could do because the truck was over the 12 years of manufacturing recall date. My truck was manufactured on 8/20/2009, so my recall ended on 8/20/2021. I owned the truck for 19 months during the recall and I never received a recall notice from Toyota. If I had known I would have had it inspected before the 12 years were up and Toyota would have been responsible for the rusted out frame. Toyota is negligent and liable for not informing me of the recall. …
Steering very stiff, does not return to center, locks up, fails to maintain direction. The universal joint on the steering column-steering gear is not protected from the elements (road salt, water, etc.) and has seized, causing the steering to lock up and leading to a minor accident.
Had just entered my driveway and Tacoma cabin suddenly filled with heavy smoke and smell of something burning. Stopped vehicle, set brake and got away from it after opening both doors. Short time later opened hood to try and determine what had gone wrong expecting s radiator hose leak. After examining fluids, only the power steering tank was empty and passenger side of engine smelled like cabin did. Had Tacoma towed to dealer to determine what was wrong. Their mechanic found massive corrosion of the power steering rack and lines were split/rotten blowing power steering fluid onto manifold and lower steering shaft freeing up. They had to replace power steering rack, lines, outter tie rods and steering shaft. Then did an alignment. Btw this Tacoma had a frame replacement about a year ago. I firmly believe power steering rack could have been stressed during that time. …
Power steering assist seemed intermittent. The power steering lower shaft at the universal joint has become corroded making steering difficult (to overcome the corrosion) as well as dangerous when further corrosion leads to steering failure. Many on-line forums make note of this problem. It appears to be a systematic design flaw that can lead to dangerous consequences. Imagine losing steering control at high speed. Since Toyota is addressing frame rust for the same year, with either a replacement frame or a protective coating, why isn't this of equal concern on some kind of recall. It looks like I've addressed the issue with a $600 repair to protect my safety, however as this is a known problem, why is it not a voluntary or mandatory recall to address this dangerous condition. This condition started the day after the truck was returned to me after getting the frame undercoating. …
New brunswick Canada bought the 2009 Toyota tachoma 4x4 extended cab-off road truck last May 2-16 at saint john Toyota and shortly after noticed that some times the steering would get stiff and it felt like manual steering. I took it back to the dealership and was told that there was noting wrong. When on the highway and coming to a turn I grip the wheel with 2 hands and back of on the gas. In March I had the front shaft changed and on April 7th I had a new rack and pinion and pressure line from steering pump and steel lines on the pump replaced it cost me $1,200.00. I drove about 20 kilometers and the steering worked great and I shut it off and when I started home it went stiff again. I'm have been afraid that if seizes up I'll be off the road or have a head on collision. …
Vehicle has 91K mileage 4x4 all highway miles. Backed out of my driveway and could not turn wheel. Checked fluid but it was fine. Attempted again and got on local road only to find truck uncontrollable at any speed. Saw another complaint on this after I got vehicle towed back to my house and decided to file complaint. My truck never had an issue like this before now. It is definitely unsafe to drive and Toyota appears to have other Tacoma owners with the same issue that could be fatal if it happens when driving at 65 MPH let alone at slower speeds on curves. I will not let my family drive the truck because the steering is so unreliable. Please let me know if Toyota will repair this under a recall or other camps in. VIN is [redacted]
Steering shaft bound up this am and I almost killed myself and another persn in the other car called dealer he said it is common problem and they change them daily. He said Toyota is aware but feels its not a problem vehicle was in motion when it happened as I was turning it locked up . This is a dangerous situation and idealer knew exactly what was wrong. I went online and typed in Tacoma steering binds and there are a lot of complaints. The service manager told me the ujoint og the steering shaft is exposed to all the elements and it is as common as the Toyota rusty frame recall.. Someone is going to get killed with this problem.
Experienced difficulty steering, checked and found power steering fluid to be low, with no evidence of leaks. Problem continued and got worse when the vehicle was warm, went to mechanic an diagnosis was failed steering rack, fluid had collected in the rubber boot ends. My mechanic has seen this numerous times with toyotas (as he has one himself). Corrosion of the metal was cause due to lack of protection from the elements. Toyota saved s few dollars at the expense of safety. No recall yet but there should be, steering being an essential component of driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that he was driving 40 MPH and lost control of the vehicle, causing him to crash into a guard rail. The steering wheel broke off before the air bag deployed. The contact suffered head injuries and was the only occupant in the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital by another person. The police were notified and a report was available if needed. The vehicle was then towed to an auto body shop. The insurance company was also notified. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Steering becomes intermittently 'stiff'. Complaint has been documented many times by owners on forums and other on-line sites. Apparently this is a design issue that allows the lower steering joint to suffer accelerated corroded by normal use. Dealers and Toyota do not acknowledge it is a manufacturing issue that can cause/create safety issues with the vehicle. Problem occurs intermittently at any speed of can also occur when attempting to turn steering wheel when vehicle is stopped. Problem is intermittent and various degrees of severity.
Steering complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, 8% of the model year's 519 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › knuckle › spindle › arm (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Tacoma steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 13 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 2009 Toyota Tacoma steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.