Wining power steering. Update. Adios Toyota!

Out running errands yesterday and at the last stop the power steering started to wine. I knew immediately it was low. It was pouring rain so I decided to head home and check it then. It was low. Very low. My truck is a 2018 with 47k on it. Not driven daily but did just make a 2,200 mile round trip. Have an appointment to drop it off at the dealer tomorrow.

 

Update: stopped and bought some ps fluid. Went home and opens the hood to find it wasn’t that low. Also no fluids on the garage floor so doesn’t appear to be a leaky rack. So now I’m guessing it’s the pump itself or a slipping belt? It was pouring rain here all day while we were running errands, like monsooning on us. I can’t imagine that would have anything to do with it?

 

Slipping belts tend to squeal. If that’s it, try some belt dressing or replace the belt. A few folks have noted moaning sounds from their pumps. If that’s the case try replacing the fluid. Either suction reservoir dry and replace fluid multiple times or look for the thread how to disconnect one hose and flush by turning wheel with truck on jackstands and engine off.

 

After seeing the fluid was just slightly low on the cold engine marks level I'm leaning towards the pump starting to go bad. I can feel it when I turn the wheel and the pump starts moaning. Seems odd that the PS pump would go in a Toyota at 47k? My 03 4runner with the 4.7 V8 never had anything go wrong in 166k miles with the exception of two A/C compressors. They seemed to last about 65k then die. It was about to need a 3rd when I traded it in.

 

Got a call from the dealer. The entire steering system needs to be replaced. There is a known issue with the steering system in Tundra's but my trucks serial number doesn't fall within the correct numbers. I also purchased a bumper to bumper warranty when we purchased it. The warranty was for the life of the loan. It is a platinum warranty from Fidelity. Apparently the bumper to bumper portion is only for the 1st year. Then its powertrain only. So now I'm $5,500+ out of pocket for a truck that basically has never seen any hard use. Is driven a few times a month. It's not a daily driver. Sits in a climate controlled garage. Toyota is garbage as far as I'm concerned. Never again. The worst part is that I just paid it off a few months ago. The truck only has 50k miles on it.

 

Shit happens.

 

Glad to think "Toyota" is garbage because the steering rack went out. Yes I get it, it sucks and no one wants anything to stop working on there vehicle. Every vehicle made out there has had defects. If you're done I hate it for you. Sell it, move on and get ready to deal with the next "Insert any brand of automaker here" and we'll see if you never have issues EVER again. $5,500 out of pocket is because the dealer did the work.... there are multiple threads on here of guys replacing the steering rack in the gravel driveway or out on the trail.

 

If I were you, I’d call Toyota corporate and try to elevate the issue since PS rack failure is a known recall. Maybe your VIN is not listed, but I’d still try before writing it off.

There is not a truck made on the planet right now that isn’t experiencing similar issues or worse. You’ll just be trading one problem for another.

 

Look at it from a percentages point of view. That bumper to bumper was probably 1.5k, (3%) and the kick on the stomach is it wasn't covered. So now he had to pay an additional 5.5k (10%) of the vehicle's value.

Assuming he paid 50k for the truck, he has already been forced to pay over 10% of the entire vehicle's worth in unexpected maintenance fees at a pitiful 50k miles into his ownership.

I'd be pissed too.

 

Don’t disagree. But I also think most aftermarket warranties are a scam, mostly because you have to deal with dealerships, their incompetence and their antics. Unpopular opinion here.

 

Good thing we’re not overreacting.

For the record - I beat the fuck out of my steering rack and it’s survived 94k miles so far. Shit happens.

-Back to Back Go Fast Friday Champ.

 

I get the shit happens comments and sure I could probably repair it myself but the parts alone are over $3k. It would likely take me a weekend. My time is better spent working or with my family. That’s not the point. This truck leaves the garage maybe once a week. 98% of the miles are highway miles. Probably more like 99.8%. It’s super disappointing is really all. Never in a million years did I believe my now nearly 10 year old E class Mercedes would prove to be more reliable and cheaper to own than a Toyota. The Ford Raptor is interesting and the ownership experience can’t be any worse than owning the Tundra at this point. Not the best financial move but it would be new and have warranty. The Tundra was supposed to be the last truck we bought. And maybe it still is? I am disappointed and a lot pissed. Will see if I can get Toyota to step up to the plate some. Anyone know the best department to call? TIA

 

Isn’t this it?

 

if I regularly did that to my truck that would be another story. My truck hauls bikes, fishing gear, and coolers. Maybe 3 or 4 times a month and does truck stuff (picks up large tv’s, helps move, landscaping) a few times a year. Hardly abused or even heavy use.

 

I hear ya - but I’m just saying my father in law drives a GM and best friend a ford and they seem to constantly have issues just trying to make it down the highway.

 

It’s more than just the rack. $3,200 in parts alone. The pump, lines, cooler, etc all have to be replaced. Some part inside the rack comes apart and metal filings get in the fluid and it all has to be replaced. My dealer is going to try and get Toyota to pick up a portion. Not holding my breath. The failure is a known Tundra issue. I’m just unlucky enough to have a truck that doesn’t fall into the right batch of vin numbers but it is the exact same failure.

 

I would replace the pump and rack, but wash out the hoses, reservoir and cooler (the cooler is just a tube with fins on it, nothing complex for pieces to get trapped in). If you're worried, you could add a filter to the soft line from the cooler to the reservoir.

You should also contact corporate, as was suggested, more people reporting issues might get them to broaden the scope of Tundras that would qualify for the recall.

 

That is exactly what Toyota is doing. Every single part has to be replaced.

The reason we buy Toyotas is to avoid things like this. My 4runner was bullet proof. It was an 03 with the 4.7 When I bought my E350 MB I was prepared for high maintenance costs and likely more than a few repair issues. The only repair it's ever required was a rear blind spot sensor. The steering, suspension, and all the switches are still as tight as the day I bought it. Solidly reliable car I would recommend to anyone.

I intend to contact corporate on Monday. If I keep it, I have a paid off truck with a "drivetrain" warranty until 2027. Total B.S. that the bumper to bumper portion is only 12 months. That's what I get for not reading the fine print. But I buying a Toyota! If I remember correctly the dealer pushed the warranty on us with the promise of the bank giving us a lower rate. I believe that's illegal now?

 

$5k is cheaper than a new truck..
You probably should have read the fine print on your extended warranty as well..


Good luck..

 

Thinking you’ll come out ahead with an extended warranty is like going to Vegas and expecting to win.

 

This is true.
I bought an extended warranty for my last 3 Toyota vehicles.
That was when I didn't have much money in savings for such emergencies..

My only issue was I never had to use the extended warranties.
The vehicles never broke down while the warranty was in effect.....

 

Does it actually need a full system overhaul, or is that just what the dealer says? Maybe you could go to a mechanic and see if they think it could be a simpler fix.

 

I did speak to another shop and they wanted to look into it. Still waiting to hear back. From what I've read online regarding this it all needs to be replaced so the dealer is not blowing smoke. When I dropped it off it would barely turn.

 

There’s always a 3rd party mechanic….

 

Lines can be flushed. I did that, no problem. In most cases they are an utter pain in ass to replace.

 

I would doubt every word of whoever is after my money. Did you see shavings in the PS reservoir yourself? Take a sample, send to Blackstone for analysis.

In the worst case, replace what broke (PS pump I guess). Replace PS reservoir as well (it has a built-in filter that can't be cleaned). Cut PS reservoir return line and add Magnefine filter. Keep replacing it every so often. Replace ATF in the steering system often. Eventually you get most of the shavings out. Steering rack is tough and can't be ground to zero in a day.

 

I always am skeptical of people that want my money. When I got to the dealer the truck would barely steer. When you turned the wheel while sitting in park you could hear the pump grinding away.

Toyota refused any good will and while I love my truck I’m not sure I can continue to drive a vehicle that the manufacturer won’t stand behind in any way. Again, this is a FL car, 3rd car that is driven a few times a month and lives in an air conditioned garage. Never been off road other than maybe some dirt roads. Steering system failure at 50k miles doesn’t leave me feeling confident going forward.

It’s paid for and I bought it during the early days of covid so I didn’t pay a crazy amount for it. The Ford Bronco has my attention. I’ve never owned a Ford and have owned nothing but Toyotas and German cars for the last many years. The Bronco Wildtrack comes with 35’s and a bunch of cool tech the Tundra has always lacked. I never tow anything so maybe I should pull the trigger. Then again I may get my truck back and not want to sell it. Decisions.

 

Don't trust the dealer with anything, including warranties.

Go to a reputable certified independent shop and have them assess.

 

I still have my F-150 and have had Fords over the years. Unfortunately, Ford does not stand behind the product either. I tried to work with them on issues with my 6-speed transmission and an obvious VVT issue that they would not acknowledge, even under warranty. Went to Ford directly and no resolution.

That being said, I do believe Ford has the best quality of the “Big 3.” Hopefully you get some resolution.

 

Ford is actively under fire from their investors for their enormous warranty costs. In addition Ford management was busted sending out faulty transmissions instead of heeding the engineers call for a redesign. See the focus transmission lawsuit and subsequent emails obtained through the discovery process.

Bottom line, no company has your best interest at heart, so buy the best engineered highest quality things you can and keep some cash on the side for repairs. No complicated product is perfect, but you can mitigate some risk by buying a better engineered product. overall products repair and maintenance costs tend to be lower with Toyotas which shows up, from a market standpoint, in their resale value.