2014 Toyota Venza Steering

The vehicle started to exhibit a popping or clunking sound in the steering Column after 125,000 miles. Was told it was not dangerous and continued to drive while albeit was still distracting. At 165,000, the sound became extremely loud at hwy speeds of 70-80mph and cause the steering wheel to shake and pull to the left. Took to mechanic who told me to take it to dealer. Dealer immediately knew what the problem was but was told I would have to replace the entire steering column because there was no way access the bushing otherwise. It was 15$ EPS bushing/damper that had literally worn down to nothing cause the power steering motor to vibrate on the steering column when going over bumps and driving at high speeds. Altering the alignment and causing a slow leak of hydraulic power steering fluid. This apparently is a fairly common issue with 2009-2015 Toyota Venza

I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND COULD FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTEN LIKE IT WAS LOCKING UP. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED TO GREEN I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND HAD NO POWER IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I MANUALLY TURNED WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD AND DRIFTED ACROSS ROAD WITH VERY LITTLE CONTROL BECAUSE IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. I PULLED/ DRIFTED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD IN A DIAGONAL DIRECTION BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO TRULY MAKE A DIRECT TURN OR PULLOVER. THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED VEHICLE OFF AFTER I DRIFTED TO A SAFE SPOT AND WHEN TURNED IT BACK ON THE STEERING WORKED. I DROVE TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT NO DIAGNOSIS HAS BEEN MADE YET. THIS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR ROAD BUT NOT HIGHWAY. I SUSPECT THIS MAY BE RELATED TO THE TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL F0J (F1J) ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) ELECTRIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) CERTAIN TOYOTA VEHICLES 2014-2015. MY VENZA WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST BUT MAYBE IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE THE STEERING PROBLEM WAS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL. Consumer stated power steering assist loss was again on June 2, 2021.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200.