pinot52

Hi Matt, hopefully your Kluger is now fixed. I would be very interested to know the part number. I believe there are two part numbers for the shafts: 1. The Old 'DODGY' part and 2. The 'FIX' I have numbers here and it would be interesting to do a cross check. As mentioned previously I am up to my 4th shaft. All before 10,000 kms. John

Further to earlier comments about this ‘dreaded’ shaft issue. Last week I ran into a a neighbour who lives a few blocks away (I don’t see him often). He purchased a Kluger around same time as I did. His car developed klunks and he spoke to the dealer mid 2013. Dealer advised him that ‘the fix’ will not be available until January/February 2014. (This contradicts what I had been told and what many others in this forum were told.) His car was recently recalled by dealer and new shaft fitted. He said after new shaft was fitted klunks disappeared. My car was fitted with its 3rd replacement shaft last October. It still has the klunks. Maybe last years 'fix' was only a smokescreen to shut us up. When they have our cars in their workshop, we do not have a clue what they do. Has anybody else been told that ‘the fix’ was due in January/February 2014? My car is due for service again in a few weeks and I will follow it up again then.

Hi Craig, I was told that there are two types of Toyota Dealers: 1. Franchisees 2. Toyota Company You might find that you could get more action from a Company Dealership. In Sydney, I believe the Company Dealership is Sydney City Toyota. Ring around and maybe start with Melbourne City Toyota. Don't let them 'fob' you off. Toyota has been selling the Kluger with this know steering fault for many years.

Craig, with my Kluger the klunk is intermittent and might not be evident for long periods. At other times it would appear and be there during most turns and/or steering adjustments made on a freeway. Then it would disappear. Should be worth following up with Toyota. If there are issues you might show them a copy of the 'Toyota.TNF.06.13.pdf' which you will find in the first post of this thread. A Toyota Service Manager told me that the grease is not a long term solution, as the grease will work its way out of the shaft. Toyota say it is not a safety issue, but with the recent press about Toyota's integrity and the huge fines imposed who can or would believe them!

Anyone being asked to pay in full or in part to have this issue fixed is being "RIPPED OFF". Send the Service Manager a link to this forum and then tell them you are going to ACCC. All along Toyota have not been upfront and forthcoming about this issue. As mentioned in my previous post (page 4), my Kluger KLUNKED from day one. I was fobbed off and told some great stories, all BS. Toyota even sent out two 'so called' Technical Reps (internet qualified) to take it for a test drive. My Shaft History (currently onto my fourth): At 1,600 k's shaft replaced (after constant denials there was a problem from selling dealer and Toyota) Then at 7,500 k's another new shaft (new dealer who was trying to appease me and get it sorted) Then at 9,200 k's The 'so called' Fix! The so called 'FIX' did not fix it. Toyota are aware of this and could not give a 'toss'. They have not contacted me! From the Dallas News (USA)Wednesday’s announcement that Toyota will pay $1.2 billion to avoid criminal prosecution for hiding information in a recall case could be a glimpse into your future. From The Guardian (UK) Toyota has been fined $32.4m (£20.9m) by the US government for failing to swiftly recall millions of vehicles with faulty brakes and steering. The fines are the maximum allowed by law. In April Toyota paid another $16.4m fine related to the recalls, bringing the total to $48.8m. The latest fines relate to two separate investigations: one over the recall of nearly 5m vehicles with faulty accelerator pedals that became stuck and a second involving steering rods that cracked and broke in some models. Worldwide Toyota has recalled more than 11m vehicles since November 2009, including popular models such as the Prius hybrid, and Camry and Corolla saloons. The fines follow months of investigations that concluded Toyota had failed to report defects to safety regulators, who found that Toyota began a recall in Japan over faulty rods but waited a year before conceding US models were also affected. From me:It is very clear and obvious that Toyota worldwide is losing fans and loyal customers. Prior to owning this Kluger I was a committed Toyota fan of over 20 years and was always singing their praises. Now, I can admit to being one of their very worst advertisements, and will continue to be so, until they get off their fat u no wots and look after customers that have been "RIPPED OFF". ​PS: the resale of Klugers is not very good. They are also very difficult to resell. When recently trying to sell mine (it is rarely used and sits in the garage), I was asked many times about the steering - what can one say to a woman with two young children who takes it for a test drive - not much except "don't buy a Toyota".

First time posting here, but have been following the various comments on this issue for some time. Mine is a late 2011 Kluger. After taking delivery (on my drive home) I noticed noises. On day two after delivery, I went back to the dealer, and mentioned the intermittent noises and klunks in the front steering. Without taking it for a drive, the Service Manager said, “This Kluger has a new type of steering and you would not be used to it.” He also said “The noises are OPERATIONAL.” I can now say, an OPERATIONAL cover up and total BS! For me it has been a very long, frustrating and costly journey. I am a self employed small business owner and the down time from my work has cost more than what the car is worth. It has now only travelled about 12,000 k’s. By 9,200 k’s it was onto its 4th Intermediate Steering Shaft (original plus 3 replacements). The last being ‘the so called fix’. In my case, the ‘fix’ did not work. Intermittent noises and klunks are still apparent. It was noted at the last service (10,160 k's) the issue was still there. Vehicle was taken for a test drive, but due to the intermittent nature of the issues, they were not noticed during this road test. I drove down the coast last weekend and all still there. Will mention it again at the next service. Shaft History: At 1,600 k's shaft replaced Then at 7,500 k's another new shaft Then at 9,200 k's The 'so called' Fix! All along, Toyota continued to offer re-assurance, "The vehicle is safe to drive". Toyota have known about this issue for many years and continued to build and sell cars with these known faults. IMHO, they are totally irresponsible. There are plenty of old comments on the net about the issues, especially on USA forums. Apart from a recall, I think a refund would be in order to all those unsuspecting persons who purchased one of these faulty vehicles. Toyota should have advised the Dealer and the Dealer should have advised the Customer about the known fault. The Customer would have then been able to make an ‘informed decision’ whether or not to purchase a vehicle with a known fault. Toyota Customer Service and Toyota at Taren Point have been useless and at times arrogant and rude. Regardless of whether the vehicle is ‘in or out’ of warranty, any person that is being asked to make any type of payment or co-payment to replace this shaft is 'being shafted’, and should refer the matter to Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). The fault did not just happen, it has been there all along. I think that there is enough evidence out there to prove the vehicles were built with a faulty shaft. Unfortunately there are no LEMON laws in Australia (that I am aware of) to cover faulty motor vehicles. In part, the ACCC Repair. Replace. Refund. brochure reads: "All goods must be of acceptable quality. This means they are: safelastinghave no faultslook acceptable, anddo all the things someone would normally expect them to do."The ACCC brochure/website also mentions a 'Major Problem'. That is, "An issue that would have stopped someone from buying the product or service if they'd known about it." If the selling Dealer had said, "John, over the next two years your new $55,000 Kluger will be off the road for about 30 days while we stuff around trying to fix its dodgy steering shaft." Would I have purchased the Kluger? I think not! More on ACCC website: http://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/repair-replace-refund#repair-replacement-or-refund As a 20 plus year owner of Toyota vehicles, I would never purchase another. Oh, what a feeling, NOT! John