NHTSA Complaint #10333938 — 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT" ON A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO HOGAN AND SONS, A WELL RESPECTED LOCAL REPAIR SHOP (LEESBURG, VIRGINIA) WITH A COMPLAINT OF FRONT END NOISE. A TOYOTA TRAINED TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THIS PART NEEDED TO BE IMMEDIATELY REPLACED AS IT WAS FAILING AND WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT STEERING AND SAFETY. THE CAR COULD NO LONGER BE ALIGNED WITH THIS FAILING PART. THE CAR HAS 73,371 MILES ON IT AND IS USED FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. A VISIT TO THE LOCAL LEESBURG TOYOTA DEALER REVEALED THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART ON MANY TOYOTAS, BUT THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE IT DURING THE THREE YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. A CLAIM MADE TO TOYOTA AND AN ARBITRATION REQUEST WERE BOTH DENIED. THIS IS ADDRESSED IN TSB--ST001-06 AND TSB--0296-08. IT IS OUR CONTENTION THAT A PART LIKE THIS SHOULD BE WEARING OUT SO SOON--IN FACT, IT IS ONE OF THOSE PARTS THAT ANY WELL DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED CAR SHOULD REMAIN OPERATIONAL AND SAFE UNTIL THE CAR IS JUNKED FOR OTHER REASONS. *TR