Steering wheel fell off...

The vehicle in the video that was shared is clearly a camry. The OP obviously has a 12+ Tacoma.

Definitely keeping my eye on this, has never happened to either of our toys and I don't want it to either.

 

THIS IS NUTS



You should be writing letters to Toyota corporate, Toyota regional, the dealer,
the local news, your state dept of transportation, NHTSA, and make sure everyone
gets a copy and that all letters state copies are being sent everywhere else.


this is a life and death safety issue and MUST be remedied and also you must not pay a DIME

send these letters with stamps and everything immediately describe the problem in
detail and demand you pay nothing. go to the local news too !!!!


hory sheet this is a major concern for any manufacturer and any operator

 

You mean this guy was bullshitting?


"I apologize from the bottom of my heart for all the concern that we have given to so many customers." Akio Toyoda, Toyota president (AP | Itsuo Inouye)

 

I'd report this to the NHTSA. There's a page buried in the owner's manual about where to report safety issues.

 

Where, exactly, is this dealership? And who are they?

 

Maybe they are referring to the video clip? The OP's pictures are obviously a Tacoma.

 

had no idea this was a thing.

now someone take a pic and do a writeup on how to keep these tightened!

 

that and a threat to file a complaint with the NTSB. After so many complaints Toyota will have to issue a safety recall which could get real expensive.

 

Looks like the OP has an 05-11. Not that it really matters anyhow.... steering wheels should not be coming off at any age lol

 

Close enough and no they shouldn't haha...that's still a Camry in the video that was linked.

 

Word, actually. I haven't seen the dash of the older 2nd gens so I figured the gauge layout was 12-15.

I'd probably contact Toyota Customer Care for sure, just for giggles - $1400 to fix sounds like typical dealer labor rates (book time), and you've already paid it - but I'm not so sure the "the steering wheel can't be made straight without replacing the column" argument.

Alignment shops straighten steering wheels all day long. Sounds like that dealer might be doing shoddy work and trying to take you for a ride on paying for them to fix it.

 

I'm probably going to stop adjusting my wheel while driving, just because of this thread.

 

The guy in the video is in a Camry. 07-09...Looks just like the interior of my Camry.
OP's pic is obviously a Tacoma...That is why the Camry was mentioned.

 

Steering wheel adjustment can be done at the tie rod ends. The dealer's statement makes no sense.

 

I'd keep ahold of that receipt. Can't reinstall your steering wheel column without replacing it? You made up for a slow day at the shop.

 

I can only that your steering wheel coming off at 65 is a great way to find out what sheer terror is.

 

OP I am so glad you weren't driving down a highway when this happened. I will never adjust mine while driving again. When your tires are straight ahead turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and count the number of rotations till stop, get tires back aiming straight and turn steering wheel to the left counting rotations and see where you are off. If it is the same both left and right get tires straight ahead again remove steering wheel and put back on even. You didn't hit anything so they never aligned the splines right put back together. As mentioned can be bought back with and alignment. Shitty deal either way so just glad you and truck are ok.

 

That's just flat out crazy, glad you were not moving when it happened or that somehow the airbag deployed.

 

My thoughts exactly. Didn't wanna be the first to grab my pitchfork. But now I can wave it around!

 

I would bet money that there is a defect that contributed to, or caused this. Maybe very rare though... The the other two reports linked in this thread look legit too, IMO.

I now have a sudden urge to better understand how the steering wheel attaches to the steering column.