2004 Toyota Camry steering problems

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The power steering freezes up upon the slightest amount of street water ponding making it almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. I have experienced a number of scary situations that make driving this car in wet elements very very difficult. As a result I generally refrain from driving altogether under these conditions. This dangerous problem must be fixed soon! I HAVE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST TO MY LOCAL DEALER (TOYOTA OF DALLAS)

NHTSA complaint #11559606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WAS INFORMED THAT MY POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS LEAKING AND THE STEERING DEVICES COULD LOSE ITS RESTRAINTS AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS COULD LEAD TO CAR LOSING COMPLETE STEERING CAUSING A SEVERE CRASH AND POTENTIALLY DEATH TO ITS OCCUPANTS. WITH THE RECENT RECALL FOR NISSAN VEHICLES REGARDING POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS, THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THE LEAKS MAY CAUSE FIRE TO MY VEHICLE. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE TECHNICIAN, HE STATED THAT OVER TIME THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MAY "RUST" AND NEED REPAIRS. I ASKED ABOUT HOW OFTEN DOES THIS OR HAS THIS ISSUED OCCURRED FOR TOYOTA BRAND CARS OR TRUCKS? NO DATA WAS PROVIDED. I WENT ON TO PRESS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BUT THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DID NOT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. SINCE GETTING THE NEWS ABOUT MY CAR, I HAVE NOTICED WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS MY CAR QUICKLY SHIFTS STEERING TOWARD THE RIGHT AT VAROUS SPEEDS INTO THE NEXT LANE. I TRY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL BY STAYING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10970128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY - AUGUST 18, 2016, POWER STEERING WENT ON AND OFF WHEN TURNING. SEEMED TO BE THE POWER STEERING - MADE IT HARD TO TURN THE WHEELS. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY STRAIGHT AHEAD WAS FINE. ON CITY STREETS AND PARKING THE ISSUE WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND FRIGHTENING SINCE I DIDN'T KNOW IF I COULD CONTROL MY MOVING VEHICLE. . IN CHECKING TO SEE WHERE TO GET REPAIR DONE, I NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING ON THE 2004 CAMRY. CALLED LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VIN NUMBER HAS NO RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10897073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #10618206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM PARKING LOT TO GO HOME, I HEARD LOUD NOISE FROM FRONT OF MY CAR AND FELT STIFFNESS OF CONTROL OF MY CAR. I TRIED TO DRIVE BACK TO PARKING TO TAKE A LOOK, BUT THE CAR LOST OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND OUT THE POWER STEERING PULLEY HAD BROKEN OFF AND THE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF. I WAS LUCKY IT HAPPENED IN PARKING LOT, OR I MAY GET TO A CAR ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED TO TOYOTA, BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOT IN RECALL OF FAILED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BECAUSE THE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT IN THE RANGE OF RECALL. BUT MY CAR HAS EXACTLY SAME ISSUE THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V539000 HAS. THE CAR IS 2004 CAMRY.

NHTSA complaint #10565798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I STARTED UP MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WHILE PARKED AT CURB. WHEN I PUT CAR IN "DRIVE," THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP (FROZE IN PLACE). I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. RESTARTED CAR AND STEERING WAS NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #10559026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE STEERING NOISE ISSUE FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2004. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SO MANY TIMES TO REPORT THIS TO THE DEALER AND GET IT FIXED BUT DEALER HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. AFTER THE WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE IS OVER WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND REPORTED THIS AGAIN DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE PARTS WITH THE COST OF 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WEBSITE BEFORE OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE SUBMITTED MY COMPLAINT EARLIER BUT STILL WANT TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA TO RECORD THIS FOR FUTURE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND FOUND OUT APPARENTLY ALL THE 2003-2004 TOYOTAS HAS THIS SAME ISSUE BUT THE COMPANY AND THE DEALERS TRIES TO DENY THAT.

NHTSA complaint #10549055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED AN INCREASED EFFORT TO MAKE A TURN.

NHTSA complaint #10519584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TOOK CAR FOR TEST DRIVE ON ROAD DESCRIBED TO ME BY A DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE AS AN UNCROWNED ROAD.LET GO OF STEERING WHEEL A FEW TIMES AND IMMEDIATELY THE CAR TOOK OFF TO THE LEFT REPEATEDLY. WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, SAID WOULD BUY CAR, BUT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE STEERING PULLING CURED.WENT BACK NEXT DAY OR TWO, TIRES ROTATED. ON DRIVE HOME PULLING WAS BACK.WENT BACK FOR REALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS "MINIMALIZED".GOT IN THE CAR, LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL, STARTED THE PULLING IN THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. TOOK CAR TO INDEPENDENT TO CHECK THE FRONT END.HE SAID COULD ONLY FIND MOST MINOR ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS,NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE PULLING. HE CHECKED OUT UNDERSIDE FOR ANY DAMAGE, FOUND NOTTHING. BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT OF RACK & PINION & TWO NEW TIRES ON THE FRONT. JOB FINISHED, LEFT AND MADE RIGHT ONTO HIGHWAY.GOT A RIGHT HAND PULL. CAR NEVER PREVIOUSLY PULLED RIGHT EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN BRAKING.MADE LEFT TO GO HOME AND HAD ONLY LEFT PULLING ON ALL ROADS TRAVELED.ON OPEN SIX LANE HIGHWAY I LET GO OF THE WHEEL, BY THE COUNT OF THREE ENTIRE CAR IS IN THE LANE TO THE LEFT. I READ ON THIS SITE INCIDENTS WITH PULLING THAT HAVE RESULTED IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10500867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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NO INCIDENT, PROGRAM KEEP ASKING FOR DATE: ITS A DUMMY DATE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF TOYOTA CAMRY LXI 2004. AROUND 35,260 MILES AND BEFORE 3 YEARS (UNDER WARRANTY) STEERING STARTED CAUSING TROUBLE, STARTED TO FEEL AND HEAR CLLCKING IN THE STEERING WHEN EVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED OR DURING DRIVING IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM SOME TIMES STEERING GETS REALLY HARD DURING DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN CHICAGO AND IT WAS TESTED BY A MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. AFTER 16 MONTHS AND AT 43,752 MILES THE PROBLEM GOT WORST AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE SAME AUTHORIZED DEALER IN CHICAGO, AND AFTER CHECKING IT I WAS TOLD THAT YES THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND IT WILL COST ME $520 + LABOR TO FIX IT. I REFUSED TO PAY AND TOLD THEM THAT I WILL FILE A COMPLAIN WITH TOYOTA CORP THAT WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR FOR THE SAME REASON UNDER WARRANTY IT WAS NOT FIXED AND NOW YOU WANT TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM CHARGING THE CUSTOMER. FINALLY THE MANAGER GOT THE OK FROM TOYOTA CORP AND FIXED THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGE. NOW AFTER 3 YEARS AT 63,632 MILES SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING RETURNED AND A AUTHORIZED DEALER IN CALIFORNIA WANTS TO CHARGE ME $715 + LABOR. I FILED A ONLINE COMPLAIN WITH TOYOTA CORP (MAIN OFFICE IN TORRANCE, CA) AND AFTER INVESTIGATION THEY TOLD ME THAT WHEN THE AUTHORIZED DEALER IN CHICAGO FIXED THE PROBLEM, HE FIXED IT AS A GOODWILL ! WHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED FOR NO CHARGE. I DON'T THINK I LIKE TO PAY ANY MONEY FOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM AND TOYOTA CORP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMER.

NHTSA complaint #10442466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE LEFT FRONT TIRE ( NEW TIRE, I PUNCHED 4 NEW MICHELIN TIRES 7/11) ON MY CAR POPPED. I AM NOT SURE IF THE CAR PEDAL GOT STUCK FIRST, EVERYTHING HAPPENED FAST. STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE AND THE CAR WHEN SIDE TO SIDE AS I ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE CAR. THE STEWING WHEEL WOULD TURN, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. THE MAJOR THING IS THAT I COULDN'T OPERATE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE PEDAL GETTING STUCK AND THE STEERING WAS IMPOSSIBLE AFTER THAT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO CARRIAGE CAGE AUTO REPAIR BY AAA, WHO RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT THERE, SINCE THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. I THEN WENT TO THE ER ROOM FOR CARE. NATIONWIDE INSURANCE WAS NOTIFIED, THEY GAVE AN ESTIMATE OF OVER FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE CAR. TOYOTA IN LAKE CITY, WA -BRUCE IN AUTO CARE WAS NOTIFIED REGARDING THE PEDAL BECOMING STUCK. I WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR THERE ONCE IT IS REPAIRED. I WONDER HOW SAFE IS THE CAR AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10436798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I BOUGHT THE USED 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY IN OCTOBER AND FOUND THAT THE CAR WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT AND FOUND THAT I HAD TO FIRMLY HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WENT TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG TOYOTA CAMRY OWNERS. TOYOTA DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. IN JANUARY 2011 I EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS I WAS ENTERING A MAJOR HIGHWAY THAT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME. I DROVE IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE AND DROPPED MY SPEED UNTIL THE VIBRATION STOPPED. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE STEERING MECHANISM AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD WHEEL ALIGNMENTS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS. I AM HAVING TROUBLE STEERING WHEN I MAKE LEFT- OR RIGHT-HAND TURNS IN ADDITION TO HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL (WHICH BECOMES STRESSFUL DURING LONG DRIVING TRIPS). MY NECK MUSCLES BECOME VERY CRAMPED BECAUSE I NEED TO FOCUS ON STEERING THE CAR. I'VE REGISTERED MY CAR WITH TOYOTA AND I'M WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED THAT I DO NOT ENJOY DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10434958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIFTED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INVOLUNTARILY. THE FAILURE OCCURED CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10415151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT DECELERATED TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AS THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS AS STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE DUE TO THE STEERING PUMP BEING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10408619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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AT AROUND 48,000 MILES, I STARTED TO FEEL AND HEAR A CLICKING IN THE STEERING. IT OCCURS ANY TIME THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED,(PARKED OR DRIVING). I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SLIDE SHAFT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. AS I SEARCHED THROUGH YOUR COMPLAINT LIST, I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS MODEL AND YEAR. IT SEEMS TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE OTHER MANUFACTURERS THAT HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS AND HAVE MADE REPAIRS TO THEIR VEHICLES. ALSO THERE ARE THIRD PARTY REPLACEMENT PARTS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM (AT THE OWNERS' EXPENSE). HOW MANY FAILURES, CRASHES OR POSSIBLY DEATHS WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE TOYOTA ISSUE A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS? TOYOTA CLAIMS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, YET THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF LETTERS STATING THAT THEIR SAFETY WAS AT RISK. IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO HEAR AND FEEL THAT NOISE EVERY TIME MY WIFE OR I ARE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10378264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REMAIN STRAIGHT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN, WHICH WAS A CONSTANT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR PARTIAL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,027.

NHTSA complaint #10359649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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2004 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS A CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA complaint #10348608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT FAILED BECAUSE OF THE BEARINGS AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO FEEL EXTREMELY TIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD LOCK WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING COLUMN, STEERING ASSEMBLY AND THE BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 26,000. UPDATED 8/25/10 *CN UPDATED 08/27/10 UPDATED 08/30/10

NHTSA complaint #10341819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND TOO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING. REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. MAJOR ISSUE AVERTED SINCE MY MECHANIC PICKED UP ON THE ISSUE. SIGNIFICANT AUTOMOBILE PART, SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NOT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10326923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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FAX ON BEHALF OF RE HER DEFECTIVE 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY: DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACE BUT NOISE HAS RETURNED; REPLY ATTN: CAPE CORAL DISTRICT OFFICE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A DISTINCTIVE NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE PROBLEM RETURNED SIX MONTHS LATER.

NHTSA complaint #10320877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED A 2004 NEW CAMRY AT A CAR DEALERSHIP IN CALIFORNIA. AT 17,000 MILES I NOTICED A THUMPING SOUND AND VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS YEAR CAR WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FIXED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE UNDER WARRANTY. JUST RECENTLY AT 49, 000 MILES, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COULD HAVE GONE OUT ANY TIME AND I WOULD HAVE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL. I WAS AGAIN INFORMED THAT THE 2004 CAMRY'S HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS TIME I HAD TO PAY OVER $600 AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE WRITTEN TO TOYOTA COMPANY ASKING THEM TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, SINCE IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED AGAIN. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE.

NHTSA complaint #10313866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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STEERING HARD TO TURN,STEERING WHEEL VERY STIFF.

NHTSA complaint #10312012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE INNER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT BECAME DETATCHED ON MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY 4 DR LE SEDAN. IT STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THE COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $950.00. TOYOTA WOULD DO NOTHING BECAUSE THEY SAID THE CAR HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AND IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALSO THE REAR STRUTS WORE OUT AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10306049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.