2002 Toyota Prius steering problems

Filed Jul 2, 2023 · Steering · CA

I was driving on the 91 freeway west exit ramp to merge into the 57 freeway in Orange County ca. when suddenly I lost all power steering on the car . We managed to get out the freeway on the first exit

Filed Sep 22, 2020 · Steering · 145,139 miles · CA

Driving up and down a slight incline, power steering suddenly goes out. Only happened twice so far but I don't know what would prevent it from happening again. Probably going about 15-20mph uphill and maybe 20-25mph downhill. Happened on a city street.

Filed Feb 2, 2020 · Steering · 251,929 miles · MA

I was driving on the highway and felt a jerking at my steering wheel a few months back, I thought ok maybe the steering wheel loose or something, I was going around 65 MPH. Fast forward to two weeks ago and the steering wheel completely locks up on me driving to a dr appointment I had to go to. I was going around 30 MPH in traffic the steering locked up and the triangle illuminated on my navigation screen and the dreaded trouble sign appeared. Once this appeared on my screen the steering wheel felt like it had no power steering. At first I thought, I need to check the power steering fluid, I researched and realized this prius is completely electric power steering. So I arrived at my doctors and turned the car off, when I came back and turned it back on to my amazement the light turned off and the power steering was back. Then the week after same problem happened, but I didn't have my obd 2 reader with me, so again I shut off the car and the problem went away. I started to do research and realized this is a serious common problem with the electric power steering, the computer chip that controls the steering malfunctions and needs to be replaced, so I came here to check if any recalls on my vehicle and there is not. The same problem happened again today, this time my girlfriend was driving and was going around 45, she said she almost crashed. This is a serious safety hazard and toyota appears to be behind the eight ball in this as I have read numberous forums of this malfunction, it's a wide spread problem and extremely costly to fix. This problem shouldn't fall onto the owners as it is the manufacturer's fault for not doing their due diligence and addressing this problem at the factory before mass producing and selling to consumers like I.

Filed Nov 22, 2019 · Steering · 112,000 miles · NJ · 1 injury

My steering wheel starts shaking violently when driving under 32 degrees outside and locks up the ability to steer which can be deadly on the highway which I don't drive much luckily and toyota has no open recalls even though I'm not the only one with this. I've has to hurt my hands wrestling with it to pull over which is dangerous on some roads!!!! Very dangerous fault in a car this is the 1 part I rely on to save me! Can't believe toyota won't fix it!!! Also this happens a few times every week though out the entire winter! It happens when driving on winding road at 10-35 MPH and sometimes happens when turning right or left! I need advice!

Filed May 20, 2019 · Steering · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. The contact stated that the electric power steering failed without warning. Also, the steering wheel veered to the right, which caused the contact to drive over a curb. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v304000 (steering); however, the vehicle exhibited the same failure as listed in the recall campaign. The dealer (larry h. Miller liberty toyota colorado springs, 5115 new car dr, colorado springs, co 80923, (719) 419-5832) indicated that the vehicle was excluded from a warranty campaign and the steering gear and computer may need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed May 13, 2019 · Steering · 140,158 miles · CA

While driving on the freeway in stop and go traffic the steering wheel started to oscillate back and forth it subsided however a few min later as freeway speeds were approached the wheel tried turning hard left then vibrated center to left. If I had been unaware this would have resulted in hitting the center divider at freeway speeds. A brief research online shows this is not the first known issue.. This was very similar to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv-ul1pxj1u very disturbing situation to be in - at first the ps warning indicator came on then said problem solved only to happen again (less pull the 2nd time but still noticeable.)

Filed Apr 14, 2019 · Steering · 85,500 miles · NY

When making a turn at slow speeds there is violent back and forth uncontrollable movement in the steering wheel. You have to bring the vehicle to a stop. The problem is your in the middle of a turn or intersection.very dangerous,there are no warnings when this occurs.

Filed Sep 28, 2018 · Steering · 200,000 miles · TN

While driving lost of steering momentarily for several months but thought it was belt slippage. Today (9/28/ 2018) total lost of steering. Was able to get vehicle to side of road and shutoff ignition switch. Started vehicle again and had normal steering control again. After reviewing recalls noticed that toyota had two voluntary recalls on same problem but have now removed them. What can be done for this problem. (xxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 29, 2017 · Steering · 158,000 miles · OH

Vehicle's steering wheel begins to vibrate out of control when attempting turns. This violent shaking poses serious dangers to driver while making turns, and causes driver to pull off of road and completely turn car off. Problem noticeable for approximately 1 month intermittently before problem began occurring without fail every single time vehicle was driven. When taken to toyota dealership in bloomington, in, mechanics said entire rack needed replacing, estimating a total much higher than value of car itself. No recall found for this problem, no paperwork provided to customer. Once customer paid for diagnostic charges and took vehicle back, power steering warning lights are permanently enabled and steering assist is completely off, causing turning to continue to pose threat, although steering wheel does not vibrate, yet.

Filed Sep 26, 2016 · Steering · 5 miles · PA

I have toyota prius 2002 I was driving yesterday the steering had been making like a rubber-squeak noise when turned to the right at low speeds.I was driving, and the wheel started to sort of pulse in my hands like it was gaining/losing power assist.about 10 minutes later, failed. Big ps button on display, with the red triangle by the odometer. This morning I was driving the car when almost hate someone because a lost the control of the car and the steering was shaking.