2004 Camry steering column loose and/or clicking

[ian721]

Good morning gentlemen. It's been a long time since I've started a thread around here as my 2004 Camry's been trouble free -- until now.

With just 11,000 miles on it (only drive it on some weekends, I have a company Prius that I use all week) my Camry has developed some looseness in the steering column. It's hard to describe, but when I change the direction I'm turning the steering wheel it feels like the steering coumn thumps against something. Turn it back the other way and it happens again.

Thankfully the car is still under warrantee until July. I'm of course going to take it back to the dealer (quite a hassle that requires taking a day off work), but I hate to go to the dealer with no info and just accept whatever they say. Always better to have some knowledge of the situation.

I vaguely remember other people with similar problems, but I searched here and didn't find anything. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[anoiel]

i believe there is a tsb for that problem. my 05 had the same thing so yeah it should be covered under warrenty.

[CamrySExxx]

better fix it now while its under warrenty... my cars warrenty is over by about ...10000 km... they gave us a price of 500$ cdn to fix it... the intermediate steering shaft IIRC

[toyomoho]

Yes ask the dealer to fix it now. There is a TSB out on this issue.

[ian721]

Thanks -- that there's a TSB out on this issue is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

[unique]

On my 2003 with 86K miles, will the TSB/warranty cover this? I'm having the same popping/clunking noises.

If not and I don't have it fixed, are there any bad consequenses?

Has anyone here repaired the problem themselves? Easy, difficult?

Thanks

[IPDaily]

i had that problem too... it's the intermediate steering shaft... there's a TSB for it and they fixed mine under warranty...

[Avalonman]

Yea, mine moans when its not driven for a while. I have an 02'

[drunken_panda]

I hear a small click in my 04 but only when I turn it really fast. Does anyone have a link to the TSB? Mines way outside of warrenty, 150k miles.

[IPDaily]

http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI~V9476313~C38046~R0~OD~N/0/89012112/92870401/98671763/98675772/34853741/34850750/42063452/122594460

[JazzinV6]

That above link doesn't work. I just got my 02 camry a week ago with 81k miles, and I'm not sure if I have the problem. I have heard a noise when turning, but so far I have been dismissing it as my key chain smacking around. My car came with a 6 month powertrain warranty, would this be covered under it if I do have the problem?

[unique]

Went to the dealer today and confirmed that I have the "intermediate steering shaft" problem. According to the dealer, this is only covered under the "3 year 36k mile" warranty. However, thanks to this site and prior to going to the dealer, I did my homework. I called Toyota customer service and when I specifically asked if there was a mileage limitation, she said "no". So, now I have to call her back (got her name!) and get her to authorize my dealership to do the repairs under the TSB at no charge.

I'll keep you posted.

[CharmCityES]

my camry makes a clicking noise when i turn wthe wheel at a dead stop....i have an 03 with 47k miles
would this be covered nde rthe TSB?

[unique]

Today when I called Toyota customer service to get them to cover the repair work at my dealer at their cost, things didn't go too well. When I called, I asked to speak to the same person that I spoke to yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't get to for some reason, so someone else tried to help. I told them what the woman told me yesterday and all of a sudden, they never heard of her and now they aren't going to pay for the repairs. I was (and am) FURIOUS!!! The lady yesterday said that if my problem was diagnosed as an "intermediate steering shaft" problem, then they would cover the repair; regardless of mileage. That's exactly what my dealer said the problem is. The lady today said that 1) my VIN isn't affected and that 2) it's only covered under the "3 year, 36k mile" warranty. My question is, aren't ALL repairs covered under that??? Also, regardless of the stupid VIN, I feel that if I have a problem that's EXACTLY mentioned in a TSB, then it should be covered!

Stupid Toyota! I even tried telling her that that my family and I have owned MANY Toyotas over the last 25 years, but that meant nothing to her. Ironically, in 1993, my sister bought a new Corolla, it had a faulty fuel pump and burned to the ground within the 3 years and 36k miles. Even then Toyota basically laughed and said that's what insurance is for...

[unique]

Don't know if it will help, but I just sent a very informative email to Toyota Customer Service (via Toyota's website), describing the sequence of events and what I was told. We'll see what happens...

On somewhat of a good note, the dealership didn't charge me to locate the problem and to verify that it is the intermediate steering shaft assembly.

Good dealership, bad Toyota??? What's this world coming to???