YearToAvoid

2011 Toyota Tundra Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 19 steering complaints for the 2011 Toyota Tundra, 14% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 76,100 miles. A related recall (21V920000) covers a power steering gear assembly that may have been manufactured incorrectly and can leak oil.

Steering complaints
19
14% of 134
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
76,100 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Power steering rack and pinion seals fail internally, letting fluid drain into the boot without any visible leak on the ground until the boot bursts.
  • Sudden loss of power steering assist occurs while driving, sometimes preceded by a loud noise or a whining sound from the steering pump.
  • Steering becomes difficult to turn or feels like it is binding, with reduced return-to-center feel even when fluid levels appear normal.
  • Some owners report the steering column itself failing, leaving the wheel hard to maneuver at highway speed.
  • New trucks pulled hard to one side despite repeated dealer alignments, with the condition persisting over many attempts.
  • One owner reported the steering pump and belt failing together, accompanied by an abnormal whining noise before the steering seized.

When 2011 Toyota Tundra steering complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 20, 2012, latest Jul 10, 2024.

2011 Toyota Tundra steering complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2012May 2015May 2016Jul 2018Feb 2022Mar 2024
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2012 to Jul 2024; peak Jul 2018 (2).

Steering recalls for the 2011 Toyota Tundra

  1. NHTSA 21V920000Nov 23, 2021Steering22,462 vehicles

    Steering:rack and pinion

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

    Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.

Steering complaints by Tundra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20106 (4%)
  2. 201119 (14%)
  3. 201212 (8%)
  4. 201310 (12%)
  5. 20146 (6%)
  6. 20152 (4%)
  7. 20167 (6%)
  8. 20175 (6%)
  9. 20185 (5%)
  10. 20193 (4%)
  11. 20204 (9%)
  12. 20212 (8%)
  13. 20229 (2%)
  14. 202312 (3%)
  15. 20247 (2%)
  16. 20258 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering complaints on the 2011 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA lists 19 steering complaints for the 2011 model year, making up 14% of all complaints filed for this year.
Is there a steering recall for the 2011 Toyota Tundra?
Yes. Recall 21V920000 covers a power steering gear assembly that may have been manufactured incorrectly and can develop an oil leak; dealers inspect and replace it as necessary.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported steering complaints is 76,100 miles.
Did the steering problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 0 injuries linked to steering complaints for the 2011 Tundra, with no fires reported.
How does 2011 compare to other Tundra years for steering complaints?
The 2011 model year has the highest share of steering complaints among the years listed, at 14%, compared to 4% for 2010 and 8% for 2012.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.