37 complaints reported

2018 Toyota Camry Steering

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
37
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Nov 2025

Nothing happened. YET. I cannot drive the car at all because the power steering is locked up and I cannot turn it at all.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2025
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering linkage was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the Manufacturer’s extended coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 63,500.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2024
Jul 2025

The power steering is very stiff and hard to turn. it is worse at slower speeds and while trying to turn

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2025
Jul 2024

Driving down the road about 25 miles an hour, slowed further to take a left turn when the power sreering suddenly gave out. The steering wheel became extremly difficult to turn and resulted in me slowing to a crawl to safely make the turn. If cars were near there could have been a colision.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2024
Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Support Program: 22TE02. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2024
Jan 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that extra effort was needed while turning the steering wheel, and for the steering wheel to return to center. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was outside the production date for a Customer Support Program. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2024
Jan 2024

Out of nowhere, the steering became very stiff and there was lots of difficulty with the wheel returning to center. This put myself and others at risk as it would be difficult to steer and in a moment where I would have to react fast to avoid an accident, my car would not be able to help. My car was initially inspected by a mechanic that ran diagnostics and nothing electrical showed up. My car is currently getting looked at by a Toyota Dealership. I was told there was a recall in 2022 for the intermediate shaft assembly being faulty. My car showed no signs on the dashboard of any issues. It was just random.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2024
Sep 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was stiff. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2023
Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the steering wheel was firm and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that he used excessive force to maneuver the vehicle. The message “Low Power Steering - See Dealer” was intermittently displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic rack and pinion system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact received no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2023
Jul 2023

Steering wheel hard , to turn

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2022
Jun 2023

Electric power system warning light comes on, indicates a malfunction in the EPS, why is Toyota ignoring this problem, this warning comes on at different times

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2023
Jun 2023

After continued usage steering becomes stiff and turning becomes very difficult. This then possess a safety risk to not only the driver but other drivers. The cause is failure of the intermediate steering shaft. Toyota has recalled 170,000+ 2018 Camrys because of this - https://www.tsbsearch.com/Toyota/22TE02, but it is clear as per my incident and other online forums, there are 2018 Carmys that have not been recalled where the intermediate steering shaft fails without notice. When the dealership was called, they said they were well aware of the problem and stated they would order the part even before my car was taken to the shop, even though the repair was not covered under my VIN. The dealership replaced the intermediate steering shaft at a cost to me. There were no warning lights or other symptoms prior to the failure. The failure first appeared around March 27th, 2023.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2023
May 2023

2018 Toyota Camry- Consumer has steering issue and submitted copy of complaint sent to NJ Office of Attorney General Division of Community Affairs- Consumers Comment Letter & Note of referral. Attached is the Invoice for repair and inspection report.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2022
Apr 2023

Steering wheel is becoming harder and harder to turn right or left

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2023
Apr 2023

Complaint Regarding Toyota 2018 Camry SE - Power steering went out while on the highway. - This is a known problem but not covered under warranty. I believe this would constitute a major safety issue for older drivers who may not have the strength to correct the car. - Toyota never notified anyone about this issue. Some research shows hundreds of customers have suffered this. - Repair cost 900 occurring on 12/5/23 – Steering shaft - Toyota repair center diagnosed in under a minute with explanation of issue [XXX] Cell: [XXX] Email: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2023
Apr 2023

Electric power steering warning light which indicates a malfunction in the EPS system comes on almost every other week. If there is a software update for this problem why Toyota does not fix it? Are they waiting for an accident to happen?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2023
Mar 2023

my car has only 56 K on the odometer and suddenly last week my steering wheel starting to get stuck, at time it feels like it is locking, and then a second later is normal. i see there is a recall for power steering #22TE02, but when i search my vin #, this recall is not showing for my car

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2023
Aug 2022

I was driving down the road on interstate at 70 mph and my 2018 Toyota Camry SE warning message steering power low alarm and one to two seconds later my steering wheel pulled violently to the right barely missing truck in right lane by inches. I was in center lane. I was fortunate it was not rush hour and no vehicles were in back of the truck in his right lane where the car was steered. Toyota dealer was approximately one mile and half way. I went to the far right emergency lane driving slowly and arrive at dealer. Service manager drove the car around the parking lot and said I had steering failure and will need to replace rack and pinion parts. The car had approximately 30,500 miles only. I am fortunate my car was at the rear of the truck back tires when this happened. This is was a very close near miss. Toyota has been of no help in this matter wanting me to pay $3700 dollars for repairs. A set of tires last longer than this rack and pinion. How safe can a car be if you can not reply on your steering.?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2022
Jun 2022

I don't know why

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2022
Apr 2022

Steering became stiff to the point driving was an issue. Dealer said it was a know problem in model. Replaced steering shaft column due to binding at drivers expense.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2022
Dec 2021

Steering feels stiff at a certain point while turning. Sometimes its worst and sometimes its showing no problem. No any warning light and 1st time the dealership does not identify what was the issue. After couple of week it was getting worst. So I went again to the dealership and then they said had to replace "intermediate steering shaft". Cost nearly 500-600$.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2021
Dec 2021

Steering became very tight and thus the Power Steering had drag in it and needed immediate repairing. We felt compromised and felt it was a Safety issue, which the dealer that I am having repair the problem did not know of other reports of this problem. I had heard this problem has happen to others with the 2018 Toyota Camry.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2021
Oct 2021

Around 47k miles the steering shaft failed and the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer. The wheel would also not return to center on its own after turning and had to be forced back in order to drive the vehicle straight again. It was almost as if the power steering went out altogether. The dealer was aware of the issue and said that some of the steering column bind and need to be replaced. Causal research such as doing a Google search for "Toyota steering shaft binding" shows that this has been an issue for several years. The fact that the dealer knew about it shows that Toyota is simply ignoring the issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2021
Aug 2021 Injury

Since I have purchased this vehicle when it first came out, I have noticed that the steering is very stiff, particularly when driving along curvy, windy roads (ex. certain freeway exits/entrances that require you to follow along a curve). I did not realize how stiff the steering wheel was until I was forced to get a rental car following several car accidents over the course of 2 years. At times the steering was so stiff I actually almost dislocated my shoulder joints several times, or tore muscles/ligaments deep within my shoulder which would take at least a month to fully heal. Other cars I have driven (including a 2019 Toyota Sienna AWD have excellent steering fluidity and show no signs of stiffness). I understand that this "stiffness" is a safety feature (Anti-Lock steering) but there needs to be a way to lessen the stiff feeling as for individuals with weaker joints like me this can cause pain and injury and temporary immobility.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2021
Jun 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would make an abnormal squeaking noise without warning. Over time, the steering wheel had stiffened which caused the contact to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they repaired the steering shaft under his extended warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the matter and offered no assistance. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2021

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Toyota Camry has 37 Steering complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.