Problems · by component

2013 Toyota Corolla steering problems

39 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Corolla cite steering, 19% of all 202 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
39
19% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“On Monday, [XXX], I was at the CVS pharmacy drive through when the failure occurred. There was no accident and otherwise no warning before it happened. I attempted to pull out when I noticed the car was drifting and the steering was extremely stiff. I looked down to see that the airbag light and BRAKE light were both on. I coasted into a spot I happened to be aligned with. As I did, I felt the brakes and steering stiffen even more until they were almost 100% seized. (Kind of felt like I was fighting hydraulic fluid.) You guys are welcome to request to inspect the vehicle. I haven't been able to get it inspected, because the Toyota dealership wants me to pay a diagnostic fee to prove the airbag light came on due to the airbag assembly for them to be able to cover the work under the extended warranty for the airbag system. There was no accident. I thankfully didn't have any speed behind me. So, I just barely had enough brakes to stop. This also means that I didn't make an insurance claim or call the police. I did get a tow truck to come out with State Farm roadside assistance, though. The vehicle is at my father's house. We far as how this has affected us, I'm…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2024Steering, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11615296
“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became loose while making left and right turns. As a result, the vehicle overturned without warning No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was first taken to the dealer where the alignment was replaced. Additionally, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to several dealers where the cause of the failure could not be determined and the contact was informed that nothing was wrong with the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2022SteeringODI 11481742
“ON 11/19/20 THE CAR ACCELERATED AND BRAKES STUCK WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT ABOUT 5-10 MILES TO THE PARKING SPACE AT JALAPENOS RESTAURANT, 450 E 1ST ST TUSTIN CA 92780. CAR STOPPED BECAUSE THE BAR ON THE GROUND PREVENTED THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD! IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME, IT LEFT ME SHACKING!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2020Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11375471
“LATELY ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE COMING HOME FROM GROCERY SHOPPING CAR SUDDENLY SHOWING THE SIGNALS AND STEERING WHEEL GETTING JAMMED. I WAS PULL OVER TO THE CURBSIDE AND CHECKED NOTHING ABNORMAL IS FOUND. IT WAS HARD TO STEERING WHEEL TO MANEUVER RIGHT AND LEFT, SPECIALLY AT THE PARK POSITION AND SLOW SPEED TURNING. I WENT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS, MECHANIC EXPLAIN MIGHT BE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING RACK IN PINION. I WAS INSTALLED BUT STILL SHOWING THE WARNING SIGNS AND NOTHING GOT BETTER.. MECHANIC FAILED TO FIXED THE PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE THE MONEY.. QUEENS JAMAICA NY. CITY STREETS.*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2020Steering, Seat belts, WheelsODI 11326218
“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SHARP RIGHT TURN FROM A STATIONARY POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND FREED UP ONLY AFTER WRESTLING WITH IT SEVERAL SECONDS. ALSO, ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SEEMS TO WEAVE LEFT OR RIGHT AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. THIS CAR HAS THE ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING ALSO HAPPENED APPROX. ON 12/15/18”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2019SteeringODI 11164384
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER LEFT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND TRAVELED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,140.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2018SteeringCrash reportedODI 11132879

Showing 6 of 39 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2013 Corolla problem areas