squeaky steering wheel in cold weather

glad to hear they're taking it seriously. all the best!

 

If you had the tool yanking off the steering wheel and finding the piece of whatever stuck in the steering Chanel would be nice, good luck

 

Thanks for the video. I don't like fingernail sounds on chalkboards either. That sounds about the same. Eeek!

I was surprised by my first high-pitched steering wheel squeal yesterday in -3 degree weather on the way home. (right now its -9). I am hoping it is due to the low humidity and cold, and won't be happening often.

 

Exact same thing is happening in my 2017 Prius, just started a couple days ago. Also 5K miles on it. Took me a while to figure out where it was coming from. It has been consistently cold here in Maryland of late as well, but guess I should contact the dealer too. Please keep us posted. Thanks

 

I brought my car to the dealer last weekend as well. They held it there and called Toyota on Monday. I was told definitively that they will be replacing the steering column but that it could take several weeks to receive a part because they were in very short supply. Was also told it was perfectly safe to drive, and I picked it up same day. Will update when they do the repair.

 

Your tech was very through and methodical in his diagnosis. Glad it worked out and you got a good tech.

 

Bump,
I have heard this noise today. It happens when I move the steering wheel a little from left to right quickly. It's not loud I barely hear it.
Changing the whole steering wheel column seems too much...
The noise is coming from inside, too bad the video is not available anymore.
Any idea ?

 

Than you for reposting the video.
The noise is the same but not so loud (or maybe it's just the video). I could barely hear it.

It didn't happen since the last time, because weather is not cold here (around 10 to 15°C).

Looks like a plastic noise it doesn't look like to an electric noise….

 

We just had this occur on a trip. Morning temps were only in the low to mid 40s, not "cold" by many standards. Noise only occurred in the morning. Only 1600 miles on the Prime. Will mention at first 5k service.
(we also took video to document the date and the issue - it is likely that they won't be able to replicate without cold enough weather at the dealership here)

 

Thanks for posting this. Noticed something similar on my 2019 Prime Premium this morning. Also close to that 5k mile mark most people are mentioning. Mine was more minor, but noticed the steering wheel tightened up a bit and faint squeaking whenever I turned for a while. It eventually went away near the end of the commute. I checked power steering fluid and that all seemed fine. Wonder if it is the beginning of your same problem you had with it. Will definitely bring up at 5k maintenance - assume this is something Toyota would cover if it needs a fix?

 

Yes, would definitely be a warranty fix. Just quite annoying if they have to replace an entire steering column on a car with 2k miles! and for an issue that seems to go back to 2017!

 

totally agree, was hoping it would've been fixed in the 2020's but if yours is acting up sounds like it is not the case. Was your noise as loud as the OPs? Did you notice any tightening up of of the wheel while driving? And does it come in and out at times?

 

Yes, it was loud. The colder, the louder. And the wheel felt "grabby" when the issue occurs. Also, I'd describe it as "digital" - as in electronic and not hydraulic, in the steering feel/grabbiness.
Was worse turning right at times, from what we remember. Would be fine when tracking straight, then get worse during turns.

 

Thank you, that's good info, good way to describe it. Mine may be trending that way.