Toyota Avalon Steering Problems
Owners have filed 361 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Toyota Avalon across 22 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (42). The words owners use most often: “steering column” (24% of reports).
- 361steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 27mention a crash
- 15mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $1,550typical repair cost reported by owners
- 31%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering column: mentioned in 86 of 361 complaints (24%)
- Rack pinion: mentioned in 35 of 361 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Toyota Avalon at $1,550, and half of them between $1,350 and $2,300.
Based on 30 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 240 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 361 complaints, 27 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 15 an injury.
Toyota Avalon steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Avalon | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2018 Avalon | 4 | 17% | 34,836 |
| 2015 Avalon | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2014 Avalon | 6 | 6% | 96,917 |
| 2013 Avalon | 2 | 1% | 1,800 |
| 2011 Avalon | 31 | 29% | 40,000 |
| 2010 Avalon | 10 | 22% | 50,380 |
| 2009 Avalon | 18 | 20% | 36,500 |
| 2008 Avalon | 17 | 5% | 25,000 |
| 2007 Avalon | 16 | 7% | 69,000 |
| 2006 Avalon | 35 | 10% | 41,500 |
| 2005 Avalon | 42 | 18% | 49,000 |
| 2004 Avalon | 28 | 14% | 55,200 |
| 2003 Avalon | 19 | 6% | 80,000 |
| 2002 Avalon | 18 | 16% | 92,000 |
| 2001 Avalon | 9 | 7% | 121,250 |
| 2000 Avalon | 34 | 20% | 109,450 |
| 1999 Avalon | 3 | 3% | 156,901 |
| 1998 Avalon | 9 | 5% | 170,000 |
| 1997 Avalon | 40 | 32% | 83,732 |
| 1996 Avalon | 10 | 9% | 85,290 |
| 1995 Avalon | 8 | 10% | 133,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Air bags:frontal; steering:column
Model years: 2020, 2021
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
Steering
Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Problem: 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.
Risk: Should the steering lock bar break, the steering wheel would lock and the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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:column
Model years: 2005
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the steering yoke was not welded to the steering shaft. If the vehicle is operated in this condition, there is a possibility that the yoke may come off from the shaft, and could result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
Risk: Loss of control of the vehicle could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering yoke and shaft weld condition, and replace the steering column assembly free of charge. The recall began on may 2, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The steering latch to adjust steering wheel unlocks while Iâm driving causing my steering wheel to drop literally while Iâm driving.
I was driving my 2007 Toyota Avalon returning home from work and was driving on a local road at approximately 25 MPH and turning my vehicle towards right on a curved road and the steering wheel seized and car veered and jumped the curb causing the passenger side bottom of car protection plastic…
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel had seized causing a crash. The front passenger side and rear passenger side bumper impacted into a guard rail during the crash. No warning lights…
TIE ROD LOOSE I heard a clunking noise while turning the steering wheel to the left at very low speeds. Took car in for service Service Mechanic found left outer tie rod end "with play, loose" Safety issue: potential loss of steering ability while driving Vehicle has been inspected and repaired…
Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Avalons have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 361 owner complaints about steering for the Toyota Avalon. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Avalon steering?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Toyota Avalon?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,550 (half paid between $1,350 and $2,300), from 30 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Toyota Avalon?
The most frequent phrase is “steering column”, in 86 of 361 complaints, followed by “rack pinion” (35).
Other Toyota Avalon problems
See all Toyota Avalon problems.