# Toyota Tacoma power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 16 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (3) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 16 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Toyota Tacoma (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (3). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Toyota Tacoma power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 3 | 324 | 1% | | 2018 | 3 | 210 | 1% | | 2019 | 3 | 219 | 1% | | 2020 | 1 | 90 | 1% | | 2021 | 2 | 81 | 2% | | 2022 | 1 | 59 | 2% | | 2023 | 2 | 54 | 4% | | 2025 | 1 | 116 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Toyota Tacoma recalls related to the power steering warning light **[25V040000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V040000)** (2023 models, reported 2025-01-29): A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. **[23V480000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V480000)** (2023 models, reported 2023-07-12): A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Toyota Tacoma owners report - "There were no audible or visual lane-departure alerts, no "steering assist canceled" message, and the Pre-Collision System did not apply braking before impact. The vehicle struck the guard rail. The system failed on multiple safety layers -- no lane warning, no steering correction, and no automatic braking -- under..." -- owner of a 2025 Toyota Tacoma, complaint filed 2025 - "What appears to be happening is the ECU over compensates for the slight strain caused by the power steering pump when you turn the wheel. My carport is narrow and does not align exactly with the driveway, you have to jog left a foot or two and then right to pull in or back out. At the second service visit on..." -- owner of a 2023 Toyota Tacoma, complaint filed 2024 - "Power steering pump was replaced at 33000 miles 12-7-23. Timing chain seal leak, engine was pulled at 37700 miles 6-19-24. Power steering pump leaking again at 45500 miles 1-3-25. White paint peeling at 45500 miles 1-3-25. Toyota said $1100 for new Power steering pump that is 12500 miles old. They will not cover..." -- owner of a 2022 Toyota Tacoma, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Toyota Tacoma power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (25V040000, 23V480000) covering 2023 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Toyota Tacoma years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2018 and 2019 Tacoma model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 3 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Toyota Tacoma with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Toyota Tacoma has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Toyota dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Toyota Tacoma warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-tacoma): 7 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/toyota-tacoma): 12 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/toyota-tacoma): 43 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/toyota-tacoma): 68 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/toyota-tacoma): 19 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/toyota-tacoma): 30 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Toyota Tacoma - [Toyota Tacoma specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/toyota-tacoma) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/toyota-tacoma Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.