2008 Toyota Avalon Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 5%of 349 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Toyota Avalon, 5% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The telescoping steering wheel lock unlocked without warning and the steering wheel went full forward. The lock had also come unlocked about a week prior but I had noticed it and corrected it prior to the wheel going forward. I did some research on the internet today and notice that there are numerous sites with complaints of this same nature about the Avalon.”
NHTSA complaint #10487798, filed 2012-12, 20,000 miles“The lever to adjust the telescoping steering wheel on my 2008 Toyota Avalon does not stay in the locked position. It disengages (falls down), releasing the steering wheel and enables it to slide in and out while driving. This has happened on several instances in the two years I have had the car. It has happened twice in the last couple of days. I have seen other internet sites that owners with the same complaint have tried to obtain a remedy with no luck.”
NHTSA complaint #10402475, filed 2011-05, 35,000 miles“The lever to adjust the telescoping steering wheel on my 2008 Toyota Avalon does not stay in the locked position. It falls down, releases the streeing whieel and then it slides in and out while driving. In the lowered position I have torn clothing getting in/out of the car. I have permanently scared my knee as well. I've taken the car in for warranty repair three times. The first time they replaced the steering column. Not sure what they did the 2nd time. The 3rd time they said there's nothing wrong with it! Yeah, right! Very poor design and dangerous. And injurious.”
NHTSA complaint #10393912, filed 2011-04, 1,000 miles“Telescopic lever is released and steering wheel makes toward on the highway in driving. This is my 3rd time experience. How can steering wheel lock is released without any warning in driving. According the 2008 Toyota Avalon manual, Toyota already makes caution like this.(page61) after adjusting the steering wheel. Make sure that the steering wheel is locked. Otherwise, the steering wheel may move suddenly, possibly causing an accident and resulting in death or serious injury. While driving. Do not adjust the steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10498013, filed 2013-02, 68,790 miles“Steering wheel column adjustment lever drops down allowing the steering column to collapse forward (or move back if holding on to it during vehicle entry). Lever interferes with entry and exit of the vehicle and hurts the leg. Another safety issue is that the collapsible steering column is not locked and if it collapses during a crash could contribute to less effectiveness of the airbag. The problem started soon after the vehicle was purchased new and is getting progressively worse -- sometimes unlocking daily.”
NHTSA complaint #10465727, filed 2012-07, 18,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10133724Apr 18, 2014In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for the Steering Column…
- 10133775Apr 17, 2014In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where, after securing the telescopic adjustment lever, the steering column?s telescopic adjustment function may not retain its…
- 10133718Apr 17, 2014In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where, after securing the telescopic adjustment lever, the steering column?s telescopic adjustment function may not retain its…
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 2008 Toyota Avalon
209 complaintsVehicle speed control
45 complaintsElectrical system
44 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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