2003 Toyota Prius Steering Problems

While driving, your steering wheel shudders and then suddenly jerks to the left on its own, which could cause an accident if you're not paying close attention or driving near another vehicle. When this happens, the power steering immediately shuts off completely for the rest of your drive until you turn the car off and back on again. The power steering returns to normal after restarting, but the problem may happen again later.

Your steering wheel violently shakes when turning in cold weather (below 45°F), making it difficult to control. This has happened repeatedly during winter and has nearly caused two accidents—once while parking and once while making a right turn in traffic, where you nearly hit a pedestrian. Toyota informed you that a steering system replacement program expired on 12/31/13 and they won't cover it, even though the problem didn't become serious until after that deadline. The fix would likely involve replacing the electric power steering (EPS) system.

Your steering wheel vibrated while driving at 65 MPH, accompanied by warning messages on your dashboard. After pulling over, the message cleared temporarily, but when you restarted the vehicle, a "do not drive" warning appeared with steering vibration returning. A dealer diagnosed this as a defective steering sensor, and your vehicle was not repaired.

Your power steering warning light comes on and you lose power steering assistance, especially when turning right. This happens sometimes when you're driving in the city or just after starting the car. The issue appears to be intermittent rather than constant. A mechanic will need to diagnose the power steering system, which may involve checking the pump, fluid levels, or electrical connections.

Your steering wheel shakes violently for several seconds when turning or straightening the wheel while driving, especially when exiting your driveway in cold weather. The shaking stops only when you bring the car to a complete stop. This problem appears to occur mainly during colder temperatures and may be related to steering or suspension components that need inspection.

Your steering wheel shakes and makes a grinding noise from the steering column when turning at slow speeds, particularly when backing out of your garage or into your driveway. This problem has been happening intermittently since November 2016. Even after the dealer replaced your front brake pads and resurfaced the rotors ($175), the steering wheel shaking and grinding noise continue.

While turning left at 10 mph, your steering wheel shook violently. You took the car to the dealer, but they couldn't identify the cause and didn't make any repairs. Your vehicle may be affected by a known steering issue (NHTSA Campaign 11V304000). The problem could involve worn steering components like tie rods, wheel bearings, or CV joints that may need inspection and replacement.

Your steering wheel shook intensely while driving at 35 mph. Even though your car was serviced under a Toyota recall for steering issues, the problem continued to happen. The fix may involve inspecting and replacing worn steering components like the front suspension and wheel alignment.

While driving at about 35 mph, your steering wheel suddenly became very hard to turn and an unknown warning message appeared on the display. The problem went away after restarting the car, but it happened multiple times. This issue may be related to the power steering system losing assist temporarily.

When you start your vehicle and begin driving slowly, your steering wheel shakes violently until you reach about 10 mph. This happens every time you start the car. At highway speeds, you're noticing a slight vibration starting to develop. A Toyota dealership has diagnosed that your power steering rack needs replacement.

TWO YEARS AGO, MY CAR BEGAN EXHIBITING STEERING ISSUES. WHEN TURNING, BOTH IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHUDDER VIOLENTLY. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE SHUDDERING SUBSIDED AND THE CAR STEERED NORMALLY. THE ISSUE WAS ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD AND IMPROVED AS THE CAR WARMED UP. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THE ISSUE HAS WORSENED, OCCURRING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AND WITH INCREASING VIOLENCE. THE STEERING WHEEL NOW JERKS UNCONTROLLABLY AS I DRIVE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS WHEN TURNING, SOMETIMES SO VIOLENTLY THAT I CANNOT HOLD ONTO THE WHEEL OR CONTROL THE CAR. TURNING LEFT IS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY DIFFICULT; THE CAR PULLS CONSTANTLY AND SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES ON THE CAR WERE JUST ALIGNED. THE 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS ALREADY RECALLED FOR STEERING ISSUES EXACTLY AS I DESCRIBE. TOYOTA CLAIMED THE ISSUE LAY WITH THE PINION SHAFT NUTS. THE PINION SHAFT NUTS IN MY CAR WERE ALREADY REPLACED, PER THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE STEERING PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS GROWING WORSE. FROM MY RESEARCH, OTHER 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE SAME FAILURE OF THE RECALL REPAIR TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MECHANICS NOT AFFILIATED WITH TOYOTA HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON, WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA RECALL NOTICE, "IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY AND STRONGLY TURNED TO THE FULL-LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THE NUTS SECURING THE PINION SHAFT IN THE STEERING GEAR BOX ASSEMBLY MAY BECOME LOOSE." (HTTP://PRESSROOM.TOYOTA.COM/RELEASES/TOYOTA+PRIUS+EPS+PINION+SHAFT+NUT+JUNE+2011+RECALL+FAQ.HTM). HOWEVER, MY CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN GENTLY AND MAINTAINED WELL THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE. DESPITE MY CAREFUL CARE OF THE VEHICLE, IT HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I BELIEVE THE RECALL INSUFFICIENTLY ADDRESSED THE STEERING ISSUES ENDEMIC TO THE 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HAVING HER VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V304000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,442.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE ABNORMALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

WHEN I PUT CAR IN REVERSE, OR SOMETIMES IN TURNING, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE. AT TIMES I HAVE TO STOP AND LET IT FINISH, AS I CANNOT KEEP MY HANDS ON IT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AFTER CAR WAS RECALLED FOR STEERING ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V304000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHILE IN REVERSE OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WHILE ACCELERATING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIRS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO VIBRATE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 10/03/11*JB

TWICE NOW MY STEERING HAS FROZEN AS I AM STRAIGHTENING THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER MAKING A TURN. THERE ARE NO PARTICULAR EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, THOUGH THIS TIME MY STEERING HAD FELT STIFFER AND JERKIER OFF AND ON BEFORE THE TIME WHEN IT ACTUALLY FROZE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD IT TOWED RIGHT TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME, I WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO GET IT MOVING AGAIN, BUT IT CONTINUED TO FREEZE RANDOMLY THE NEXT COUPLE OF TIMES I DROVE IT. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE "SOLUTION" IS TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. *TR

2003 PRIUS HYBRID; STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS QUITE FREQUENTLY; THIS SHUDDERING HAPPENS BACKING UP AND TURNING CORNERS; SOMETIMES IT SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY THE STEERING WHEEL IS PULLED FROM YOUR HANDS; WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS; NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED ON THE 2002 MODELS; OUR VEHICLE ONLY HAS 33K MILES ON IT AND THERE IS A PART FAILURE WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR CAUSING A LIFE THREATENING INCIDENT TO TAKE PLACE; TOYOTA AND DEALERSHIP REPS TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE; TOLD WE CAN HAVE STEERING REPLACED FOR ABOUT $3K EVEN THOUGH CAR ONLY HAS 33K MILES ON IT; MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM THEY SAID; WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE; THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH CASES LISTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET; TOYOTA REP SAID THERE HAVE BEEN NO COMPLAINTS; THEY KNOW IT EXISTS, BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM; SOME GOVERNMENT GROUP NEEDS TO STEP IN AND MAKE TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE FOR A RECALL OF THIS YEAR VEHICLE AND HAVE THE STEERING REPLACED FOR FREE. *TR

I EXPERIENCED A SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY TOYOTA 2003 PRIUS WHEN BACKING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE MORNING EACH DAY. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION WHICH COULD LOCKUP AT ANY TIME. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED 01/02 MODEL PRIUS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT THE 03. WHY IS TOYOTA ALLOWED TO LET THIS CONDITION TO CONTINUE WITH FAILURE OF THESE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNITS? HOW MANY LIVES MUST BE LOST BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT ACTS? TOYOTA IS CHANGING $2,500.00 TO $3,500.00 TO FIX A PROBLEM THEY KNOW EXIST IN THESE CARS A WORRIED CONSUMER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASING THREE MONTHS AGO. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD A LEAK AND THE INVERTER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ON DECEMBER 3, 2010, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

2003 TOYOTA PRIUS STEERING FAILURE - WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IN LOS ANGELES, TURNING LEFT AT A STOP SIGN THE STEERING SYSTEM LOCKED. I RESET THE CAR AND COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL UNTIL PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND THEN PULLING FORWARD AGAIN. THE CAR THEN CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY LOCK IN THE LEFT TURN POSITION AND YOU MUST USE FORCE TO TRY TO CENTER AND STEER AGAIN. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM HAS FAILED $3500.00 TO REPAIR. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE STEERING CAN BE REPAIRED, I REALLY LIKE THIS CAR BUT DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVER PUT MY FAMILY IN IT AGAIN. THE STEERING FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAD NO WARNING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN LEFT AND RIGHT AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME, NOVEMBER 2007, STEERING RACK REPLACED FREE (STILL UNDER WARRANTY). SECOND TIME, OCTOBER 2009, STEERING RACK REPLACED FOR $1200. UPON COMPLAINT, TOYOTA REIMBURSED ME FOR HALF OF THE COST OF PARTS ($350). BOTH TIMES THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED, BUT I THINK IT MAY NOT BE REALLY THE FAULT OF THE STEERING RACK, BUT A COMPUTER ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION WHEN ON THE FREEWAY. 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. *TR

ELECTRONIC: STEERING IN MY TOYOTA PRIUS SHAKES AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT SOMETIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHEN THIS BEGAN LAST FALL AND THEY TOLD ME THE STEERING COMPUTER AND THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS NOT DANGEROUS BUT IT SCARES ME, ESPECIALLY WITH THE RECENT RECALLS. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN I MADE LEFT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK AND I WOULD HAVE TO JERK IT BACK TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND THE STEERING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS APPROX. $2800. I AM MAKING A REPORT IN THE EVENT THAT THERE ARE OTHER PRIUS' THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I HAD A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WHICH I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH. UNEXPECTEDLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND I WAS UNABLE TO NAVIGATE THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN A NEIGHBOR'S YARD WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY DEALER AND LEARNED THAT THE STEERING WOUD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $1500 OR MORE. SINCE THE CAR HAD ALMOST 120,000 MILES ON IT, I CHOSE NOT TO REPAIR IT. MY DEALER SUGGESTED I WRITE TO THE TOYOTA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, WHICH I DID. AFTER A LOT OF WRANGLING, THEY SENT ME A CHECK FOR $1,500 TO COVER THE LOSS OF MY TRADE-IN VALUE BUT ONLY AFTER I AGREED TO PURCHASE A NEW TOYOTA VEHICLE. AT THE TIME, I LET IT GO, BUT REALIZE NOW WITH ALL THE CONCERNS BEING RAISED, THAT PERHAPS MY STORY IS IMPORTANT. THE STEERING FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH OR WHILE EXITING A HIGH SPEED RAMP. WORSE, IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE, WHICH I HAD CROSSED JUST 15 MINUTES EARLIER.

2003 TOYOTA PRIUS, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. CAR HAS HAD SCHEDULED SERVICES. SHAKING STARTED AS A RATTLE/GRINDING SOUND AT THE STEERING COLUMN. SHAKING NOW HAPPENS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, AT STARTUP OR WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. MOST RECENTLY STEERING WAS UN RESPONSIVE AT 50+MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES PRIOR TO TODAY WITH NO TROUBLES FOUND. TODAY (3 DAYS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED) DEALER FINDS CRACK IN STEERING COLUMN SAME AS THAT IN RECALL FOR 2004 - 2006 PRIUS SEE RECALL 06V188000. DEALER WANTS $2500 TO REPAIR. *TR

2003 PRIUS STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILURE, WHEN ENGINE IS COLD AND WHEN IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE AT SLOW RATE OF SPEED (UNDER 5 MPH) STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, ONCE STOPPED STEERING WHEEL WILL STOP SHAKING. DEALERSHIP REPORTS RACK AND PINION AND STEERING RELATED COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. 2001 AND 2002 PRIUS MODEL HAD RECALLED ON SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 PRIUS WITH 100K MILES. AT ABOUT 95K MILES I BEGAN TO NOTICE AN ANOMALY IN THE STEERING. WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO MY RIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS. THIS HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN IT IS COLD. THE SHUDDER HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY OTHER PLACES, USUALLY AT LOW SPEED. I HAVE READ THE OTHER REPORTS AND WORRY ABOUT THE MORE SEVERE FAILURES OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. MY DEALER QUOTED ME $2300 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS THE "STEERING BOX". EVEN AT 100K MILES THIS DEFINITELY SEEMS LIKE A RECALL ISSUE TO ME BECAUSE IT IS SO SAFETY CRITICAL. *TR

ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL. AN UN SAFE CONDITION. THERE HAS TO BE A LOT THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE REPLACEMENT STEERING RACKS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND NO PREDICTION OF WHEN THEY WILL AVAILABLE. WITH NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND CAR UN SAFE THEN CAR IS USELESS. *TR

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH ABOUT 76,000 MILES. I AM ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY CURRENTLY STATIONED IN GERMANY. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED A STEERING PROBLEM WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERS AND SHAKES AS IF YOU ARE DRIVING ON ROUGH TERRAIN. IT USUALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 5 MPH AND 30 MPH WHILE IN A TURN. WHEN THIS OCCURS YOU TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND POTENTIALLY, THE CAR. AFTER DOING SOME CURSORY RESEARCH ON LINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS (HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/FORUMS/CARE-MAINTENANCE-TROUBLESHOOTING/36358-03-POWER-STEERING.HTML ) I THINK IT HAS ALSO BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE 2001-2002 MODELS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR THE 2003 AND BEYOND. I BELIEVE THAT THIS DOES AFFECT THE ABILITY FOR THE CAR TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY. WE TOOK IT IN TO A DEALER HERE IN GERMANY AND THEY GAVE AN ESTIMATE OF 2500 EURO FOR REPAIR, WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT $3800 US DOLLARS. THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH APPROXIMATELY $10,000. BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME COST, I CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND THEN CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WITH THE ENGINEERING. TO MY DISMAY, TOYOTA INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS VEHICLE REGARDLESS BECAUSE I AM STATIONED OVERSEAS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLIGHTLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME STUCK IN A FIXATED POSITION. THE CONTACT COULD NOT COMPLETE THE TURN. SHE PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE STEERING MAIN SHAFT ASSEMBLY, TILT COLUMN ASSEMBLY, AND BOLT WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IT IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000. UPDATED 10-07-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY MORE FAILURES SINCE THE REPAIR WAS DONE. UPDATED 10/15/08. *JB

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A FRIDAY EVENING, TURNED RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED TRUCK, AND SPENT THE NEXT SEVERAL MINUTES TRYING TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL. THE NEXT DAY I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THE ELECTRONIC STEERING RACK HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2000 (AS THE STEERING SYSTEM WARRANTY ONLY EXTENDS TO 3 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILES.) MY CAR HAS JUST OVER 69,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ADHERED TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, AND ALWAYS BRING IT TO THE DEALER. THERE IS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FAILURE, AND I AM SHOCKED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OR REDUNDANCIES IN PLACE TO DETECT THE FAILURE OF SUCH A CRITICAL SYSTEM. I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES, AND IF I HAD BEEN ON A FREEWAY OR CANYON ROAD WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, I WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN KILLED. THERE HAVE BEEN TWO ISSUES RELATING TO THE PRIUS STEERING SYSTEM (RECALL #18732/NHTSA # 00V285000 AND TSB # 0403/NHTSA # 10008428), BUT I WAS TOLD THAT NEITHER OF THESE APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE. I PICKED UP MY CAR TODAY AND WAS TOLD THE WORK IS COVERED BY A 1 YEAR, UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT TOYOTA PROVIDES SUCH A SHORT WARRANTY ON SUCH A CRITICAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. IF THIS PART EVER FAILS AGAIN, I AM EXTREMELY LIKELY TO BE HURT OR KILLED. I AM HAPPY TO HAVE MY CAR BACK, BUT AM PRETTY TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT, OR ANY TOYOTA, AGAIN. I UNDERSTAND THAT CARS DON?T LAST FOREVER, AND I AM GENERALLY VERY HAPPY WITH HOW MY PRIUS HAS HELD UP. HOWEVER, I ALSO THINK THE MANUFACTURER HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE TO PREVENT THIS PART FROM FAILING AGAIN, WHAT TOYOTA WILL DO IF IT DOES FAIL AGAIN, AND WHAT TOYOTA HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INCREDIBLY HIGH PRICE TAG OF A SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER MODELS, AND COULD HAVE COST ME MY LIFE. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE FAILURE OF THE POWER ASSIST OPERATION OF THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE POWER STEERING WARNING ICON IS DISPLAYED ON THE CENTRAL PANEL AND THE DRIVER EXPERIENCES AN ABNORMAL STEERING EFFORT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED HIS VEHICLE TO THE LEFT AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING MADE A WEIRD NOISE AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 15 MONTHS AGO AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT AT A COOLER TEMPERATURE, THE STEERING WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE NEVER CORRECTED ITSELF AND THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

I WAS DRIVING EAST AT 50 MPH ON CALIFORNIA HWY 68 AT 0800. IT WAS RAINING BUT THERE WAS NO STANDING WATER. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. AS I CROSSED THE INTERSECTION WITH SAN BENANCIO ROAD THE CAR SLOWLY SWERVED TO THE LEFT ACROSS THE ROAD, ENTERING THE OPPOSITE SHOULDER SLIDING BROADSIDE. THE CAR CONTINUED THE ROTATION, COMING TO REST FACING EAST AGAIN. I DID NOTHING TO INITIATE THIS BIZARRE EVENT. *JB

MY TIRES WERE WORN TO THE CORDS, ALL FOUR OF THEM, ON BOTH SIDES, THE INSIDE WAS WORSE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF GLENDORA) AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT AND THE ALIGNMENT, AMONG OTHER THINGS. I HAD JUST 22,667.0 MILES ON IT. THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THE TIRES WERE JUST "WORN OUT" AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ALIGNMENT. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE (WHO WARRANTIED THE TIRES) AND WAS TOLD BY 3 DIFFERENT PROFESSIONALS THERE THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT WORN OUT, THAT THE SIDE WALLS WERE DESTROYED DUE TO FAULTY ALIGNMENT. I HAD TO PAY FOR 4 NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT. I WROTE TO TOYOTA WHO REFERRED ME BACK TO TOYOTA OF GLENDORA. TOYOTA OF GLENDORA CONTACTED ME BY PHONE AND DENIED EVER TELLING ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ALIGNMENT. THEY CLAIMED THEY COULDN'T FIX THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE ALL 4 TIRES WERE BAD. I CLAIMED THEY LIED ABOUT THE ALIGNMENT TO KEEP FROM KEEPING IT OVER NIGHT AGAIN, BUILDING UP TO THE LEMON LAW. I FEEL THEY DAMAGED MY ALIGNMENT WHEN THEY REPLACED MY ENTIRE RACK AND PINION STEERING IN OCT 03, THEY DENIED THIS SAYING THAT REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION DOESN'T AFFECT THE ALIGNMENT. THEY DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRES WHICH THEY SHOULD HAVE NOTICED LAST TIME THEY ROTATED THEM. I WANT THEM TO PAY FOR MY ALIGNMENT AND PERHAPS MY FOUR NEW TIRES, THEY REFUSED AND HUNG UP ON ME. I WROTE TO TOYOTA AGAIN AND THEY RESPONDED WITH A LETTER DEFERRING TO THE DEALER, TOYOTA OF GLENDORA.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH POWER STEERING FAILED 4 TIMES. DEALERSHIP WILL REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION.*AK