Steering Column detached while driving

We had our 2006 Toyota Tacoma Steering column fully detach while driving the truck over 2 months ago. I have never heard of this happening and I am trying to find some information about Toyota and similar situations. I saw there was a recall in 2012 for an airbag malfunction that required the steering column to be replaced. We have called Toyota Corp several times, as has our insurance company and have gotten no where! We are now paying for a rental car and going into 90 days w/o a vehicle. Anyone have any additional information about Toyota Steering columns or suggestions to getting this out to the public?

 

Never heard of it.

What does "Detach" mean in your case? It separated from the mount? Separated from the steering shaft?

 

I've heard of it but not on Toyota products.

Did you do a search on nhtsb web site for consumer complaints?

 

Bluetooth steering option.

 

There are only 2 bolts that hold the column to the bottom of the dash. I've had to tighten mine once, but I think I was the blame as I was using the wheel to get in and out of the truck when my knee was bad. Me using the wheel to pull myself in stressed it I think.

Why can't you retighten the nuts and use lock tight to keep them from loosening in the future?

Did you buy the truck new? The only reason the column would have to be dropped is if the dash was removed. Maybe previous owner was messing around behind the dash.

I'm curious about your situation. Please tell us more.

 

537 complaints for '06 Tacoma...might read thru & depending on your issue submit your own.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners...ia.make=TOYOTA&searchCriteria.prod_ids=214819

 

I'd like to hope they haven't been paying for a rental car for 90 days over loose steering mount bolts, or missing bolts.

That all aside, I don't have a clue what would happen to a steering column in regards to it becoming detached that would justify non-operation for 90 days, let alone 2 weeks.

On a 10 year old truck, I don't see what involvement you expect from Toyota? They haven't touched the truck since it was manufactured, and this is obviously not a widespread or common issue.

 

Was driving about 40 mph and flipped on the high beams. When doing so felt the steering wheel loosen as if the telescope feature was unlocked. I put my elbow on the center console to adjust and the steering column became loose and all of a sudden the wheel was in my lap. The pin was on the floor and the bolts were still tight.

 

So why has it been sitting for 90 days? To replace the column mount?

 

DCSBFTMFW - Toyota hasn't fixed the vehicle and it's sitting in a dealership lot. They were told by Corporate not to touch it until their investigation is done. So, it would be nice if they compensated us for taking their sweet time.

 

I guess I'm asking is what you think Toyota is responsible to fix on a 10 year old truck?

I'd bet the column mount bracket is $100 and comes with new hardware, and probably could be fixed at a dealership for $500 with labor and parts. How much have you spent on a rental car?

It's a bolt on part. I don't understand what the hold up is, or why you haven't contacted a lawyer if you think Toyota has been taking their sweet time while you foot the bill for a rental car.

Personally I don't see what fault you find with the manufacturer here, but that's just me.

 

I'm thinking if Toyota & others can be held responsible for emission equipment for 8 years something as serious as the steering wheel falling off in a guys lap might be of concern for them. It's not like it happens to every 10 year old vehicle.

I'm also thinking if corporate is telling the dealer to hold & not touch it, there's something behind the scene.

 

That's what she says, but she isn't part of the conversation between dealership and Toyota Corp, so who knows the real story. It could be someone not caring at either end, or a dealership excuse, or any number of things that she wouldn't be privy to whatsoever.

She didn't say the wheel fell off, she said it detached from the column mount which doesn't make the steering wheel unusable - as has been said, it's possible a previous owner didn't tighten the bolts, used wrong bolts, or a dealership tech didn't tighten the bolts/torque the bolts, or..??

Who knows.

There's something behind the scene for sure, but I'm not sure it's on the Toyota side.

 

Unfortunately Toyota offers no 10 year warranty on bolts being tight, and who is going to know the history of a vehicle that's 10 years old - who has messed with the column in that time? Maybe nobody.

It isn't like the shaft disintegrated from rust and broke while driving - that's a possible liability issue.

The bolts were loose, causing the mount to drop the column.

That isn't anything they're liable for, bolts need to be tight to work properly - so who loosened them and didn't install them correctly?

Not a question for Toyota to answer, or anybody really - buy a new mount if it's broken, replace the hardware if it isn't. Done in a day, which is substantially less than 90.

 

PICTURES!!!!!

 

How often have you heard of a newer vehicle having the steering wheel fall off? Toyota is obviously worried about something or they wouldn't be investigating it. It has nothing to do with warranty.

 

Reading what what I quoted above of her text + detach makes me think it came off.

If it was factory I promise it could be a PR nightmare & I'm not sure I'd want to be the manufacture defendant in a civil case with it...

 

It didn't fall off. The column mount bolts were loose enough to allow them to fall out.

It has nothing to do with a steering wheel falling off.

 

Do you have a case number with Toyota, OP?

 

Eh..

Good luck OP. /out