2018 Toyota Camry

I have had issues with the breaks since I purchased the vehicle. The first recall I got the vacuum pump replaced. I still have the same issue. I have been having the break issue but recently had an issue slamming on my breaks after someone was coming around the corner too fast in my garage and feeling pushback from the break petal and not breaking fully. I actually did hit her care but she only had scratches and decided not to file a claim (I have the date and pictures as well). I bought this Camry feeling confident and I actually worry about my breaks I even got them replaced thinking they were worn out but I still have the same issue.

There’s been a few times when I started my car to head to work and something appears on the dash board that reads ( Air bag malfunction) Then it’s gives me a hard time to steer the car. This has happened ample times. So when it does happen I have to shut the car off and then turn it back on so that the issue on the dash board disappears. I do this 2 to 3 times until it clears. (Very weird).. Every time it happens it’s when I turn my car on to head out to either go to work or do errands. Etc. But i usually shut the car off immediately when I see that it appears on the dash board. When I do , it usually goes away and I can again take control of the steering wheel and the pressure on the steering wheel go back to being normal and manageable. But I’ve noticed that when it does come on there’s a tremendous change in the steering Ps. It reads …. Airbag malfunction.

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.

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.

I was going home from Houston to Richmond Texas but a few minutes into driving some warning lights came on and a warning message says Secondary Brake System malfunction. Then all of a sudden the steering wheel was almost locked and was very hard to maneuver. But due to safety of where I was driving I tried hard to reach a Toyota service center nearby which was about to close so I decided to drive to another one nearby my home. A week or so later they said the car was inspected and repaired but on my way home after picking up the car I had to return it again and since then which has been approximately a month now the car is still in service waiting for parts. The safety of others and mine was at risk as the steering wheel was very tough to maneuver. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle component was inspected by Toyota service worker and they said they also had it checked by the manufacturer personnel. There were no prior warning or symptoms prior to this incident which happened on May 24, 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.

I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY TOYOTA CAMRY 2018. THE CAR FEEL VERY HEAVY WHEN DRIVING, TGE STEERING WHEEL ARE STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MOVE SOMETIMES. THE BRAKES ARE NOT STABLE LIKE THEY SHOULD EVEN AFTER I PAID FOR IT TO BE FIX. THE GAS GAUGE REFUSE TO OPEN WHEN IT'S TIME TO FUEL GAS THE CAR MAKES NOISES. IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING AND IT'S NOT WORTH WHAT I PAY FOR.