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Toyota Steering Recalls Cover Assist Loss, Shaft Fractures, and Airbags
Two recurring themes are power-steering gear leaks and steering-column electrical connections that can deactivate the driver’s airbag. The November and December 2021 notices concern gear assemblies for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia vehicles; the December notice specifically covers service parts. The July 2023 and January 2025 spiral-cable notices name certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and Tacoma vehicles. Separate mechanical concerns include shaft-extension fractures in Braun-modified 2017-2020 Sienna vehicles, loose steering and suspension fasteners in certain 2018-2019 4Runner vehicles, tie-rod damage in certain 2020 Supra vehicles, and intermediate-shaft fractures in certain 2023-2024 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles. RAV4 notices address water-related steering-assist loss.
Warning signs to watch for
- June 2020 RAV4 steering-gear recall: loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low speeds.
- November 2021 Tundra/Sequoia gear-assembly recall: an oil leak may cause sudden loss of power steering assist.
- December 2021 Tundra/Sequoia service-part recall: an oil leak may cause sudden loss of power steering assist.
- June 2020 Supra tie-rod recall: a damaged or fractured tie rod may affect handling and control.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of the listed Toyota steering notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The July 2019 Braun Sienna, September 2019 4Runner, June 2020 Supra, and June 2020 RAV4 notices do not tell owners to stop driving. Neither the November 2021 Tundra/Sequoia gear-assembly notice nor the December 2021 service-part notice tells owners to stop driving. The July 2023 spiral-cable, November 2024 Corolla shaft, and January 2025 spiral-cable notices also do not tell owners to stop driving. These notices provide no stop-driving direction.
What the free repair involves
Free dealer remedies: Braun Sienna—replace extensions; 4Runner—inspect/re-tighten fasteners as necessary; Supra—replace tie rods; RAV4—replace steering gearbox; November 2021 Tundra/Sequoia—inspect and replace gear assembly as necessary; December 2021 service parts—inspect and replace gear assembly; July 2023 spiral cable—inspect/replace if necessary; Corolla shaft—replace intermediate shaft; January 2025 spiral cable—inspect/replace as necessary.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 8 |
Models affected most
Where owners report steering problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under steering for the Toyota models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross | 44 |
| 2020 Toyota RAV4 | 27 |
| 2023 Toyota Corolla | 16 |
| 2024 Toyota Corolla | 12 |
| 2018 Toyota 4runner | 11 |
| 2019 Toyota 4runner | 10 |
| 2023 Toyota Tacoma | 9 |
| 2020 Toyota Tundra | 4 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2025 | Toyota And Lexus Steering Defect Disables Airbag | high |
| Nov 21, 2024 | Toyota Corolla Steering Shaft May Crack And Detach | high |
| Jul 12, 2023 | Toyota, Lexus: Steering Cable May Disable Air Bag | high |
| Dec 23, 2021 | Toyota Tundra, Sequoia Power Steering May Leak | high |
| Nov 23, 2021 | Toyota Tundra, Sequoia Power Steering Gear May Leak | high |
| Jun 24, 2020 | Toyota RAV4 Electric Power Steering Water Damage | high |
| Jun 15, 2020 | BMW and Toyota Sports Cars: Steering Tie Rod May Fracture | high |
| Sep 20, 2019 | Toyota 4Runner Loose Steering and Suspension Bolts | high |
| Jul 16, 2019 | Toyota Sienna Modified by Braun: Steering Shaft May Fracture | critical |
Common questions
Why do steering recalls include a driver’s airbag problem?
The July 2023 and January 2025 notices describe an insufficiently welded electrical connection inside the steering-column spiral cable assembly. Separation can deactivate the driver’s airbag. Each notice specifies inspection and replacement of the spiral cable assembly when necessary.
What distinguishes the two Tundra and Sequoia steering notices?
The November 2021 notice concerns certain 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia vehicles. The December 2021 notice specifically concerns certain JTEKT steering-gear service parts for those model ranges. Both describe an oil leak that may cause sudden loss of steering assist.
Which RAV4 steering problem could make steering harder?
The June 2020 notice covers certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter through the steering gearbox cover, causing loss of electric power steering assist and increased steering effort at low speeds. Dealers replace the gearbox free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.