2016 Toyota Tundra Steering Problems
7 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Steering Recalls (2)
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
Owner Complaints (7)
While stopped at a traffic light preparing to merge onto the freeway, your truck's power steering suddenly failed with no warning lights or messages. You had to use all your strength to manually turn the wheel to avoid oncoming traffic. A repair shop confirmed the power steering assembly, rack and pinion, and tie rods had failed. This loss of steering control created a serious safety hazard—if you'd been going faster or already on the freeway, you wouldn't have been able to control the vehicle. Fixing this will require replacement of the power steering assembly and related steering components.
Parts you may need:
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Your steering rack has developed an internal seal failure and is leaking fluid, according to your mechanic. This could potentially cause you to lose steering control while driving. The issue was discovered during a routine oil change visit, with no prior warning signs.
Parts you may need:
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Your power steering suddenly became extremely difficult and sluggish during normal driving, with the steering wheel jerking unevenly as you tried to turn. The dealership found that your steering rack and pinion was binding internally with seepage from the boot, and the power steering pump also needed replacement, totaling $3,200 in repairs. The symptom pattern matched a Toyota recall (21V-920), but your vehicle's VIN fell outside the recall's specified range, so Toyota declined to cover the cost.
Parts you may need:
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You discovered your power steering assembly is leaking during a routine inspection. An independent mechanic confirmed the power steering assembly needs to be replaced. Your vehicle's VIN wasn't included in a related NHTSA recall campaign, so you may need to pursue repair options directly with the dealer or manufacturer. The repair will likely involve replacing the entire power steering assembly.
Parts you may need:
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Your truck experiences three separate issues: (1) vibration and pulsing in the front end when driving over 60 mph with new tires, despite confirmed proper alignment; (2) Bluetooth connection to your iPhone cuts out intermittently during calls or audio, a problem that's persisted for over 2 years; and (3) the trailer brake warning light stays on, suggesting an electrical issue that makes trailering unsafe. These issues may require wheel balancing, Bluetooth system diagnostics, and trailer brake electrical inspection and repair.
Parts you may need:
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FLUID FROM THE RACK AND PINION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION SEAL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. PITTS TOYOTA (210 N. JEFFERSON ST, DUBLIN, GA 31021, (478)272-3244, WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
2016 TUNDRA CREW MAX XPSX PACKAGE, 4X4. VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AT ALL SPEEDS. SOUTHEAST TOYOTA STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS JUST A OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRUCK.