2011 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 9%of 186 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, 9% of the 186 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 1 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 intermediate steering shaft has caused my steering to all of a sudden go stiff, I am at 97,000 miles and now it has to be replaced. When driving in motion on a curve it was like I lost power steering completely and went into manual worse when having to slow or stop and start again on a corner. This is not safe and not ok when there is on coming traffic etc.”
NHTSA complaint #11115809, filed 2018-08, 97,000 miles“My steering wheel has become stiff on and off at regular intervals at any speed. No noise is heard and fluid level and quality is fine. Problem noted at lower steering shaft universal due to needle bearing failure. Water/ rust build up degrading universal joint. Truck has only 48 k on it and I live in philadelphia area. I looked into this on various internet sites and found it to be rather common but no recall or TSB issued to address this serious safety concern.”
NHTSA complaint #11082357, filed 2018-04, 48,000 miles“Driving down the highway, I felt my steering column get loose. After coming to a stop at the gas station, I tried making sure the column adjuster was tight, and it was. The entire steering wheel/column was still loose, and then fell off into my lap. After that, my Tacoma would not start. Radio would not work, and the odometer numbers disappeared. I had to then call a tow truck to get my vehicle home. If I hadn't stopped at at the gas station, it would have fell off as I was driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11290665, filed 2019-12, 95,000 miles“The vehicle takes long to stop even after changing the brake pads , rotors, brake shoes, with new components. The rear makes a thud sound when accelerating or coming to a stop. The leaf springs also squeak and I noticed after they changed my frame the leaf springs were not change even though there is a recall on the leaf springs and it was rusting? The steering intermediate shaft started to make this loud thud sound when going over bumps around 5-10 MPH. There is also a recall on this, but my local dealer says there isn't one? …”
NHTSA complaint #11330429, filed 2020-06, 79,855 miles“I was driving and at any speed the steering would lock up while turning. The lower intermediate shaft has deteriorated to failure. I'm glad that I didn't have an accident but came close. When searching the internet to see if anyone else had the same problem I found that it was a common occurrence for anyone living in a area (not just in the USA) that is a snow area where salt is used. Toyota considers this a wear item. This should not be considered a wear item when failure can happen at any given second when driving and not allowing the vehicles driver to be in control”
NHTSA complaint #11374087, filed 2020-11, 67,342 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 2011 Toyota Tacoma
60 complaintsExterior lighting
32 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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