2009 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 8%of 520 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, 8% of the 520 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The lower steering linkage u joint (intermediate steering shaft) failed due to simple rust. It is unprotected and open to the elements and the failure nearly caused an accident. The symptoms were extreme hard steering and almost caused me to drive off the road going around a corner. This was a sudden issue, not a gradual problem and occurred at all driving speeds. My vehicle only had 100,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10983222, filed 2017-05, 100,000 miles“I was coming into a right handed corner on dry pavement doing 45mph (less than the suggested speed for the corner). As I let off the throttle and turned into the corner the vehicles stability control kicked in causing the truck to go straight. I had to fight against the steering wheel and managed to overpower the stability control but by then I was in the on-coming lane.”
NHTSA complaint #10509210, filed 2013-04, 30,980 miles“Problem with turning left and right, very stiff, like there was a problem with the power steering. Brought it to my mechanic, he had to install the lower steering shaft. He called are local dealer for the part, they said it is a common problem, they just sold 3 that day. My question is if this is a common problem, why isn't Toyota talking care of this! This is a safety issue! This ended up costing me $400. Very unfair, there needs to be a recall before someone gets hurt.”
NHTSA complaint #10991233, filed 2017-05, 58,000 miles“The welds lower control arm mount on the driver side failed when I applied the brakes at high speed and almost caused an accident and almost completely removed my wheel and the lower control arm from the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11012710, filed 2017-08, 143,000 miles“In addition to a rusted frame, my 2009 Tacoma has 1.a rusty air condition system with rusted components. 2.a rusted u joint for steering that was extremely difficult & expensive to replace. 3.a rusted power steering component with a hole in bottom. It can't be fixed until the frame is replaced. I can't safely drive the vehicle. 4.a rusted 4-wheel drive actuator ' to be replaced. It doesn't g into 4 wheel drive. 5.brake line rusted thru. Will these repairs be covered by Toyota as well during the frame replacement?”
NHTSA complaint #11127944, filed 2018-09, 108,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10168537Oct 21, 2019TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10123422Oct 30, 2017Region Email: Toyota has received a number of reports regarding Propeller Shaft Universal Joints on certain 2005 ? 2011 model year Tacoma vehicles. In these reports, customers…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% |
| 2023 | 9 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 19 | 6% |
| 2009 | 39 | 8% |
| 2008 | 41 | 9% |
| 2007 | 54 | 10% |
| 2006 | 40 | 5% |
| 2005 | 61 | 9% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 12 | 3% |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Tacoma
119 complaintsExterior lighting
105 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
75 complaintsVehicle speed control
59 complaintsBody and structure
55 complaintsElectrical system
40 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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