Clunk noise in steering column when turning left

i would jack up the front end or get it on a lift for a look see while someone spins the wheel

 

If you can consistently replicate it, take it to the dealer - warranty repair under 3 year, 36K bumper to bumper.

 

Maybe go to a parking lot and drive by someone standing there and see which wheel of the car the has the problem.

That sounds like it could be something in the suspension and steering components (strut, ball joint, wheel bearing, tie rods...). Maybe jack up the front end, then try to wiggle the front wheels side to side, then up and down. You shouldn't be able to wiggle them (without the steering wheel changing).

Since it's an AWD, maybe the back end too.

The best option is to let Toyota deal with it if it's under warranty.

 

I agree with just letting a dealership(that you trust) take care of it.


I would also do a little diagnostic troubleshooting of your own. If you haven't already, try to find out the exact conditions when the clunk occurs. You say it happens when turning left rather quickly. Does it happen right at the start of the turn, at the end, somewhere in the middle, or does it vary? Does it only happen when driving, or also when the car is in park and you're just spinning the steering wheel? Can you feel the clunk in the steering wheel, or only hear it? Can you tell where the clunk is coming from - one of the corners or more towards the center of the car?

Take that info and write it up as succinctly as possible. Make it easy to read(no small writing), and absolutely no longer than a page. Make two copies. Give one to the service advisor and leave the second in the car in an obvious place for the tech(in case the service advisor doesn't pass along the first copy).

Do you have to do any of this? Absolutely not. But it might shave a day off the dealership having your car. Best case scenario: the info tells the tech exactly where to look. Worst case: it speeds up the test drive by letting the tech quickly and repeatedly duplicate the issue.


Another tip for everyone is to treat the service advisor like an unreliable translator. If the problem is simple(ex. side window won't roll down), then just clearly tell the advisor and let them type it into the notes for the tech. If the problem is a little more complicated(only happens certain times), write it down simply and leave the note for the tech. If it's very complicated, ask to talk to the tech directly; take the advisor out of the communication chain entirely. By talking directly to the tech, the tech can also ask questions back to narrow the search for the problem.