Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 9% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% | 188,000 miles |
| 2023 | 9 | 17% | 35,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% | 47,000 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% | 8,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% | 17,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% | 16,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% | 15,000 miles |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% | 30,000 miles |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% | 43,000 miles |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% | 78,000 miles |
| 2010 | 19 | 6% | 53,000 miles |
| 2009 | 39 | 8% | 85,000 miles |
| 2008 | 41 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 2007 | 54 | 10% | 89,000 miles |
| 2006 | 40 | 5% | 105,000 miles |
| 2005 | 61 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% | 69,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% | 158,000 miles |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% | 168,000 miles |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% | 198,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% | 106,000 miles |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% | 153,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% | 55,000 miles |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% | 120,000 miles |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% | 180,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I purchased a brand-new 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. From the first day, the steering wheel was off-center and the vehicle vibrated while driving. At around 500 miles, I noticed severe instability and abnormal tire wear. A wheel alignment report showed: Thrust angle: +0.15 (spec: 0 0.05 ) Rear toe: Left 0.23 , Right -0.10 (difference: 0.33 , spec 0.15 ) Front caster: Both sides out of specification (shown in red on report) Driving symptoms include: Cannot maintain straight-line driving; requires constant steering correction. Excessive body roll during lane changes or turns. Continuous vibration of the vehicle and steering wheel on smooth roads. Vehicle bounces and momentarily loses control on uneven surfaces. Steering wheel rotation does not match front wheel steering angle. When stationary, turning the steering to full lock causes the body to rise; releasing it causes it to drop. …
MY 2025 TACOMA is part of a recall by Toyota, I was notified of the potential issue on early November 2025 and told Toyota was working on a remedy. On December 3rd, 2025 while using 4-wheel drive during a snow storm the drive shaft (recall issue) broke. On December 4th, 2025, the local Toyota dealer checked my Tacoma and found it unsafe to drive - they kept my Tacoma and provided a loaner vehicle. Toyota reported at this time the remedy would be available by the end of 4th quarter (December). As of today, February 21, 2026 -- there is still no remedy for the issue, my Tacoma is still sitting at the dealer, and I do not have my truck. Toyota reports a remedy will be available during the 1st quarter of the year but nothing yet. I called brand engagement recently and asked them to extend my warranty, Toyota care, and other free trials that were included with my purchase. …
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently drifted to the left and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the instrument panel was not functioning properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the long block and torque converter had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.
Lane keeping will kamikaze the vehicle on to exit ramps or exit only lanes when engaged at a highway speed. This seems most common when the truncated lane markers, usually used on exit-only lanes, and not the full length lane markers (the center line markings). Example: Vehicle is traveling at a static heading, freeway speed, two lane limited access freeway, driver in control, all lane keeping and adaptive features engaged. When an exit lane approaches on right, vehicle abruptly deviates to the exit lane with zero driver intent or inputs. Once vehicle system realizes the error, system alerts, notifies of a lane departure, and disables the lane keeping. Particularly problematic is that vehicle actively fights driver inputs to restore the intended course as it appears to believe the driver is in error. This is not a one-off occurrence. It is very consistent. …
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced due to an oil leak. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer gauge failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the instrument panel had a factory defect. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the rack and pinion recently failed. The contact stated that the vehicle veered to the right and the left independently while driving with an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. …
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V152000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel was firm, the brake pedal was firm, and the vehicle was violently vibrating. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message "Pull Over - Do Not Drive" was displayed before the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and was towed back to the dealer. The vehicle was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the battery and alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was driven to the destination. The contact checked the power steering fluid reservoir and discovered that the power steering fluid reservoir was empty. In addition, the contact became aware that the rubber boots on each side of the power steering rack were soaked with power steering fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with steering rack failure. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
My 2021 Toyota Tacoma is experiencing these exact conditions as discussed in this TSB. T12he only difference between the vehicle in this TSB and mine is I have a 2 wheel drive Tacoma and this TSB is for the 4 wheel drive model. 2021 Toyota Tacoma power train TSB (Bulletin T-SB-0124-20) Bulletin Date:Dec. 15, 2020 Component:Power train. Bulletin Summary:TSB: some 2016 ? 2021 model year tacoma vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may exhibit a vibration under deceleration (coasting or braking) between 30 ? 10 mph. This vibration is felt in the seat, floorboard, and/or steering w Vehicles covered in this TSB: 2016 Toyota Tacoma, 2017 Toyota Tacoma, 2018 Toyota Tacoma, 2019 Toyota Tacoma, 2020 Toyota Tacoma, 2021 Toyota Tacoma.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Tacoma years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (61), 2007 (54), 2008 (41), 2006 (40) and 2009 (39) model years. Steering complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Toyota Tacoma steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any Toyota Tacoma model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Tacoma steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles; 25% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (12 mentions), followed by the column (8).
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.