NHTSA Complaint #10717002 — 2004 TOYOTA AVALON

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT LATER, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN INTERNAL LEAK IN THE RACK AND PINION. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.