Steering suddenly went out

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jguyot @ Jul 5 2007, 01:23 AM) [snapback]473360[/snapback]</div>

The fleet reports included problems reported with the steering. Given the inability to complete the turn, it sounds like the steering gear is broken and will have to be replaced.

GOOD LUCK!

Bob Wilson

 

A similar thing hapened to my nephew driving a Range Rover, in a "bad" part of town with no steering. It's not just a Prius only issue. Good Luck with yours.

 

could be one of two things:

1. if it is incredibly difficult to turn, then it's a rack and pinion unit (steering gear, as bwilson referred to it). not cheap, unfortunately.

2. if it is completely locked like it is in park, could be the steering column lock.

 

If at all possible, get the tow truck driver to call the service manager. This will make a big difference. If nothing else, get his name and company so that they can call him. You have a witness.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jguyot @ Jul 6 2007, 01:45 PM) [snapback]474224[/snapback]</div>

Boy, I would make sure they provide you with a good and FREE rental/loaner car now! I hope you're not driving that car around. You're a hazard to yourself and everyone else on the road. This is a Lemon Law situation, so I would insist the dealer replaces the rack as soon as possible and that they provide you with a loaner until the car is fixed. Also be sure to ask what the warranty is on the new rack installation.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ibmindless @ Jul 7 2007, 07:17 PM) [snapback]474805[/snapback]</div>

After 4 years and 1 repair attempt I doubt it would qualify under a Lemon Law (certainly not NJ's). Shouldn't the platinum warranty cover the repair and the loaner/rental?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jguyot @ Jul 6 2007, 01:45 PM) [snapback]474224[/snapback]</div>

Score 1 for the extended warranty. It might be useful for someone to keep a log of extended warranty experiences (good and bad). This is the first one I remember seeing reported.

 

I had the exact same thing happen today, just as you have described it with the steering wheel suddenly freezing up, no funny lights going on or anything, and then having to get a burly man un-stick it. Now it randomly freezes when I'm turning, and so I throw all my weight on turning it while braking and trying not to hit anything . . . hardly safe city driving. I have not taken it in yet--should I bother taking it to a regular mechanic or go straight to a dealership? It is a 2003, no longer under warranty for this I think. Jguyot, did this cost a crazy amount of money? (before they applied your warranty, that is.) Any advice appreciated,
V

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jguyot @ Jul 6 2007, 02:07 PM) [snapback]474203[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drvalerie @ Oct 13 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]525321[/snapback]</div>

User 'Jquyot' posted about their problem and have not returned. During the Dept. of Energy fleet study, the analysts reported problems with the steering that had to fixed. I don't know if Toyota has a technical service bulletin on this that would still apply. You might check the "Maintenance" forum to see what has been posted. Regardless, it does need to be fixed since it leaves the car a hazard to drive.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

 

drvalerie, Toyota issued a warranty enhancement for the power steering covering 2001 through "early 2002' Prius. I understand that yours is a 2003.

You must consult a Toyota shop as to whether you are still covered by warranty. If not, contact Toyota directly at 1-800-331-4331 and ask them to open a case file and request some (financial) assistance in repairing it.

If yours is similar to the earlier ones, the torque sensor has failed and the entire unit must be replaced. The full cost would be approximately $2000 for a new one installed. Obviously this would not be the ideal solution.

If you cannot get some help from Toyota, then you might also consider purchasing the unit from a salvage vehicle dismantler. A 2003 donor vehicle would be preferable to 2001 or 2002.

In either case, the labor to remove and replace the unit would be approximately 4 hours.

It would be appropriate for the Toyota shop to perform diagnostics to confirm that the unit does in fact need to be replaced. Perhaps there is a simpler solution? Good luck and please keep us informed.

 

Update on my steering problem:

I first took it in to the regular mechanic, on the off chance that there would be a simple solution. He told me that they can't deal with the electronic component of the steering, so I should take it to the dealer. Then I took it to the dealer today at about 3. They just called and said that the rack/pinion needs to be replaced, and that it is not under warranty anymore after 3 years (I've had the car almost 5 years). THEN, he said that Toyota was willing to pay for the parts and labor for the rack/pinion as a "goodwill warranty", IF I had them do the 60k maintenance (which I need to do anyway) for about $500. I accepted. This was Northside Toyota on Broadway in Chicago.

Some may think I should have played harder ball with this, but I really need my car back, and $500 is a lot better than the worst case scenario I was fretting about. And they really *should* pay for the steering problem, considering that Prii manufactured right before and after mine, in various parts of the world, had steering issues that got extended warranties or other concessions (see the info on this very site). So I'm relatively happy with this turn of events today. I love my little black 2003 Prius, and I'd hate to have to part with it before it's even paid off!!

I'll report any further interesting details--thanks for the advice and info--
Valerie



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Oct 14 2007, 09:37 PM) [snapback]525660[/snapback]</div>

 

Fair enough. Will there be any warranty on the steering replacement system?

Will a transaxle fluid change be part of this 50k mile service?

 

A pretty good outcome I think.

 

Hello all,
The final outcome is that I will pay $500 even, the replaced rack and pinion will have a one year warranty, and the 60k service *does* include the transaxle fluid. So I'm pretty happy, considering what the cost could have been. Hooray for the "goodwill warranty." And thanks very much for the tips and advice on this.
Best,
Valerie

 

my 01 did that one time, and i was making a 90 degree turn i almost went straight into a tree, i had to brake hard. but it never happened since then

 

They covered the steering unit and they got paid to do the standard 60k maintenance. Sounds like a good deal to me.

I am one of those that would never take my car to Toyota for any of their maintenance packages, but I would have accepted that deal in a heartbeat.