2002 Toyota Tundra Steering Problems
- 29
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 29 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 16 records
- steering rack · 12 records
- lower ball · 6 records
- steering fluid · 6 records
- rack pinion · 6 records
- ball joint · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 11 |
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
I was driving down interstate [redacted] to work at 70mph and as i was on the causeway the lower ball joint came off causing my front tire to come off and it resulted in a crash that totalled my truck and damage to me as well .
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 11006273
Steering
Column shifter broke away from shift column with very little force when shifting in reverse. Attempting to back out of parking spot. Had to jump on brake to avoid losing control of vehicle.
ODI 10928471
Steering · Unknown Or Other
Vehicle frame has rusted through in places and has deteriorated by flaking in other locations on the frame. Also power steering rack has rusted through. The truck has less than 61000 miles on the odometer. I filed a complaint with toyota in late october, 2016. After speaking with a toyota representative, they said that they would not do anything to remedy the problem as their recall on the frame was good only until…
ODI 10925754
Steering
Vehicle made whining noise after going from park to drive. Moved a few feet and steering became very difficult. Leaking trail of fluid underneath. Private mechanic confirmed today that the power steering rack is completely rusted through and was the source of the leak. Vehicle has approximately 137k miles. Had i been on the highway, this would have been disastrous. I had just been on the highway.
ODI 10915530
Steering · Suspension
Frist time comeing down my road going 30 miles per hr l right upper and lower ball joint broke tire went under the truck. Second time the left upper and lower ball joint broke turning a corner. Third time it happen i just got off of the hwy and the lower ball joint broke. I am afied to drive it .
ODI 10929389
Steering
When started truck, heard unusual whining noise. Started driving and steering became difficult. Stopped in parking lot and found power steering fluid leaking out on ground. Entire rack and pinion showing excessive corrosion and leaking fluid. Was able to drive to toyota dealer. They estimate $1200 for after market repair, and $1600 for repair with toyota parts. Truck not safe to drive until repaired. 2002 tundra sr5
ODI 10747102
Power Train · Steering
When attempting to shift from park to reverse with the engine running and the brake applied, unexpectedly the column automatic transmission shifter completely broke loose from the steering column. The column bracket and housing were both found to be fractured, with the bracket separated from the housing. This rendered the vehicle inoperable. *tr
ODI 10667142
Steering · Suspension
I was driving on the interstate at 70 mph when the lower control arm came apart from my ball joint on the driver side. My wife and i spun uncontrollably with sparks shooting everywhere. We were able to come to a stop once the vehicle dug itself into the dirt of the median. It was such an embarrassment for myself as i have held the name "toyota" to the highest standard before all other auto maker. After the incident,…
ODI 10618281
Steering
I was pulling out of my driveway and experienced a sudden and complete loss of power steering and was unable to complete the turn, stopping in the middle of the road. One of the connections on the power steering rack had completely separated due to rust and the power steering fluid was pouring out. If i had been going at higher speeds (such as driving on a highway or taking an off ramp) it would have been extremely…
ODI 10552852
Steering
I was driving down a "very" steep graded and winding gravel road that required consistent braking and as i was making a turn to negotiate a right turn on a curve, my steering all of a sudden failed to exist. The steering wheel seriously resisted my turning it. I was forced to apply the brakes quickly to attempt going over the side of the road and down a deeply sloped ravine of about 20 feet or so. The truck stopped…
Crash reported
ODI 10521977
Steering · Suspension
Vehicle inspected by dealer leak in rack and pinion. Very early at 72,500 miles. Loose lower ball joints. Lower ball joints replaced under recall 10/11/2005 at 28,000 miles. If they are going bad again at 72,500 miles, there is a major problem. *tr
ODI 10489456
Steering
I was getting into my car to leave my drive way, i shifted into reverse and the whole "shifter arm' broke off. *tt
ODI 10462600
Power Train · Steering
Vehicle was parked with parking brake on. I started the vehicle and attempted to put the truck in drive. The shift lever went limp and no longer changed the drive selector. I managed to get it into drive and got it home and parked it. I have not called the dealer yet. *tr
ODI 10461229
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra sr5. The contact was driving 40 mph when the power steering seized. The contact later discovered that the power steering fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the steering rack was corroded. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were…
ODI 10453786
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a repair associated with nhtsa campaign id number 09v444000 (structure: frame and members: underbody shields). While the technician performed the repair, he noticed both stabilizer links and the parking brake rear wheel mechanism were fractured as a result of excessive rust corrosion. In addition, the…
ODI 10450777
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. The contact stated that while turning to enter a parking space, the steering rack fractured from the firewall and with an abnormally loud noise. The contact mentioned that after the failure, an unknown fluid leaked all over the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who verified the failure and stated that it was caused by corrosion. The manufacturer was not…
ODI 10438721
Steering · Underbody Shields
Steering rack rotted out and all the power steering fluid drained out almost instantly. Thankfully i was pulling out of a parking space and not on the highway. I currently have excessive frame rust, a hole in the gas tank from rust, the rear differential is almost rotted threw, the gas tank straps have already been replaced. I am not sure if this vehicle is even safe to drive anymore. The dealer inspects it…
ODI 10451785
Power Train · Steering
I have a 2002 tundra sr5 with ~65k miles. This morning when i try to pull on the drive gear shift handle to move from park to reverse. The shift handle snapped off unexpected - broke. Toyota dealer wants to charge ~$600.00 to remove and replace with a use steering column (if the use can be found), as the new steering column will cost over $1k. I believe this is appear to be a flawed design for attach the shift…
ODI 10429024
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. The contact stated that the steering wheel would shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic and located the failure as the steering rack being corroded. The manufacturer advised the steering rack failure was not recalled and denied any assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure…
ODI 10428939
Equipment · Mechanical · Steering
I have a 02 tundra sr5 have a serious problem w/steering column shaft when i try to put on drive the gear shift lever broke free causing unexpected gear select. I have to remove the plastic cover in order to hand select the gear the aluminum shaft sub-assy control broke off at the screw attach to the column support this is appear to be a flawed design for attach the shift lever. I have to replace the whole housing…
ODI 10399786
Steering
I lost the power steering, luckily it happened in my driveway. There was a line of power steering fluid down the driveway. I brought it to my local automotive repair person. He said the rack and pinion was gone. Upon further inspection, the following were all severely corroded making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Steering rack, power steering lines, tie rods. *tr
ODI 10335877
Frame And Members · Front · Rear · Steering
Severe corrosion of vehicle frame and frame cross members, front end parts, and attachment hangers to frame of 2002 toyota tundra which will result in eventually weakening and failure of the above mentioned items causing a possible accident, injuries and possibly death. *tr
ODI 10328849
Frame And Members · Steering
The steering rack on my 2002 toyota tundra rusted out, burst and caused a power steering failure while driving. This is a permanent failure and the toyota dealership advised not to drive the vehicle. Nothing was offered to fix it without a $1400 repair bill. *tr
ODI 10325912
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering
Steering vibrates excessively every time when braking the vehicle at speed greater than 40 miles per hour. *tr
ODI 10297090
Steering
2002 toyota tundra approximately 91k miles. V6 automatic. Rack and pinion assembly rusted through leaking power steering fluid. Vehicle taken to dealership for repairs. Dealership service department replaced the rack and pinion assembly. Dealership kept old part. *tr
ODI 10360683