Steering rack and steering column Toyota: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Toyota models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Prius IIWear of the spline on the steering column extension shaft (electric power steering)Yes: a 2012 campaign (Safety Gate alert 48/2012) covers Prius cars with electric power steering built between 2003 and 2009. The spline on the column extension shaft did not receive the correct hardening and can wear until the driver loses the ability to steer the car.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Prius IILoose connections between the intermediate shaft and the sliding yoke of the steering columnYes: in 2006 Toyota recalled Prius cars built between August 2003 and the end of 2005, because the joints of the intermediate shaft with the column's sliding yoke could loosen and, if the symptoms were ignored, steering control could be lost. fiches-auto.fr identifies the column of those years as a weak point.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota ProAce IIDamaged steering rack mounting (2016-2018)In 2019 Toyota recalled Proace vehicles built between October 2016 and October 2018 because the steering rack mounting could become damaged and compromise its safety; the remedy was to replace the rack and its mounting.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Urban CruiserSteering column mounting bracket with insufficient strengthThe DVSA records a 2014 campaign because the bracket holding the steering column might not be strong enough if the steering wheel is turned hard to full lock repeatedly, and over time the column could come loose. The bracket is replaced on Urban Cruisers built between December 2008 and December 2009.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Aygo IElectric power steering failure on the Toyota Aygo IThe fiches-auto.fr page lists 9 cases of power steering cutting out during low-speed manoeuvres, with a quote of more than 2,300 euros on a 2006 car with 58,600 km.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareToyota Aygo IIThe steering column may fail and cause a loss of controlA campaign inspected Aygo cars, and their mechanical siblings the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108, built in the last part of 2014 because of a possible failure of a part in the steering column assembly that could lead to loss of control of the vehicle.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareToyota Yaris IIThe steering column bracket can crack and loosen the steeringA 2014 recall covered second-generation Yaris built between 2005 and 2009 because the steering column mounting bracket lacked sufficient strength: it could crack after the steering wheel was repeatedly turned to full lock and leave the column loose.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Prius IIINoise and play in the steering rack and columnAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, several Prius III reports mention loud noise and a slight pull to the right from the steering rack, and noise and play in the column; the page cites 5 or more mentions.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonToyota RAV4 IIIThe steering column makes noise and feels loose at the wheelIt is the most repeated non-engine complaint about this RAV4: more than 50 testimonies on fiches-auto.fr describe a loose steering column, with creaks or clicks from around 30,000 km; gebrauchtwagenberater.de confirms it as a creak in the steering rack that is fixed by replacing the universal joints, and describes it as a comfort problem, not a safety one.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareToyota VersoSteering wheel retaining nut not tightened to the correct torque on the 2013 VersoVersos built between May and August 2013 were recalled because the nut securing the steering wheel had not been tightened to the specified torque, according to Gebrauchtwagenberater.

By Toyota model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the steering rack and column do Toyota cars have?

In 9 models from Toyota there are 10 documented faults with the steering rack and column. The most important: wear of the spline on the steering column extension shaft (electric power steering), loose connections between the intermediate shaft and the sliding yoke of the steering column and damaged steering rack mounting (2016-2018). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Toyota models have the most problems with the steering rack and column?

Toyota Prius II (2 faults), Toyota Aygo I (1 fault), Toyota RAV4 III (1 fault) and Toyota Yaris II (1 fault).