2010 Toyota Tundra: Rack pinion seals blew out
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2010 Tundra report: rack pinion seals blew out. CarComplaints.com lists 3 owner complaints, average mileage 76,700 miles.
NHTSA has 6 owner complaints for the 2010 Tundra in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11459974 (filed 04/07/2022): “The contact owns a 2010 toyota tundra. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21e103000 (steering). the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made popping and grinding sounds while making turns. the …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11340200 (filed 07/19/2020): “I was driving and both of my leaf springs snapped and everything came loose…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace with new rack and pinion (3 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Electric power steering faults typically need module diagnosis with a scan tool and calibration. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $2,300 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: steering rack (rack and pinion / steering gear) replacement
Average shop cost
$420
Range $200–$695 (labor)
2.0–5.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$625
Range $300–$1,045 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2010 Ford Fusion: Steering rack failure
Page last updated .