Camry 2012+ :: SE Clunking And Skidding When Turn Sharply

I found that my 2012 CAMRY SE has an issue when you turn sharply either performing a U turn or any sharp turn you will hear a clunking noise and feel a thumping in the steering wheel. The other day I had to make a U-turn and the front wheel of the car actually skidded a bit half way thru the turn and made the clunking/thumping noise.

I have also experienced this backing out of parking spaces when the wheel is turned hard. I can recreate the issue simply by doing tight circles in a parking lot. The front passenger in the car can also hear the thumping. I found another 2012 CAMRY SE owner at work and we recreated the same exact issue in the work parking lot. You actually feel the front tire skid a bit or get that sensation.

OK - the dealer called me today after having their mechanic test drive the car. They told me this is NORMAL and even the new 2014 Camry does the same thing. They said the new electronic steering makes this noise on sharp or extreme turns and it's not like the old intermediate steering shaft problems they had before.