2004 Toyota Avalon Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 14%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,200miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Toyota Avalon, 14% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,200 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My steering wheel will lock when I turn left or right while driving ..this morning I was just starting my car and was turning left and my steering wheel locked and I went up the sidewalk and almost hit the fence and I couldn't move it I reversed backwards a little bit and wiggle the steering wheel and it wouldn't budge then I went forward and wiggled and it finally loosened. This has happened 4 times now usually in the morning. And my mileage is 140,822”
NHTSA complaint #11124569, filed 2018-09, 140,822 miles“Toyota dealer in merritt island, fl advised me power steering rack is leaking... 2-2-2012 my son in has a Toyota 2005 sienna in annapolis, md was advised that his power steering rack was leaking. 7-17-2012 a friend with a Toyota camry in bowie, md was advised that his power steering rack is leaking.”
NHTSA complaint #10466277, filed 2012-07, 80,146 miles“Air bag dashboard light occasionally flickers and begins to glow for a few seconds. Seems to occur more frequently in wet weather. My steering wheel will lock when I turn left or right while driving. Reversed backwards a little bit and wiggled the steering wheel, it wouldn't budge then I went forward and wiggled and it finally loosened. This has happened 4 times and usually in wet weather. My car is listed in the air bag recall of 2015; however, I have not been notified of what to do next and it has now been more than 3 years since first notification.”
NHTSA complaint #11187211, filed 2019-03, 284,000 miles“I was driving on an expressway at apx 65 MPH going onto the off ramp going down to 25mph the steering became very tight and then as I drove home the steering wheel started clicking. I checked fluids at home and they looked ok. Drove around the block and power steering was gone left and right then heard a grinding noise, it felt ok going straight. After I drove it it became more intermittent with power coming and going altogether. On 8/26/15 had a small accident on the front quarter panel. It was at body shop for 4 days. …”
NHTSA complaint #10763904, filed 2015-09, 116,000 miles“I was just coming off the expressway driving from 75 MPH, down to 35 getting off the ramp. As I exited onto the ramp I noticed that the steering was getting really hard to control and had a pounding noise . From that location it took about three more big turns where I had an extremely hard time turning the wheel. When I got home, checked levels in power steering fluid, which needed a little more, so I filled it ,and coolant levels looked normal. I drove around the block to see if it made a difference. It was actually getting worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10758890, filed 2015-08, 116,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V345000Jul 29, 2010Toyota 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…Covers: Toyota Avalon 2000–2004
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 17% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 6% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 31 | 29% |
| 2010 | 10 | 22% |
| 2009 | 18 | 20% |
| 2008 | 17 | 5% |
| 2007 | 16 | 7% |
| 2006 | 35 | 10% |
| 2005 | 42 | 18% |
| 2004 | 28 | 14% |
| 2003 | 19 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 16% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 34 | 20% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% |
| 1997 | 40 | 32% |
| 1996 | 10 | 9% |
| 1995 | 8 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Avalon
127 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Avalon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology