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.
2002 Toyota Prius: loss of power steering
15 of the 167 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Prius describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 107,400
- recalls
- 1
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
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.
Violent shaking in steering wheel upon ignition; sporadic jerky steering; repeated loss of power steering at various speeds including highway speeds. This seems to the same phenomenon that was the subject of a safety recall of 2001 priuses. The recall should be broadened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. The contact stated that while attempting a right turn, the power steering assist failed and the steering wheel seized. The power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel as the failure occurred. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told that entire power steering and motor system needed to be replaced. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 147,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v304000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
When driving on the freeway, after a 300 mile drive, a pothole was struck. The steering wheel vibrated forcefully from side to side for about a minute, then power steering failed. Steering was possible, but only with great physical effort. After the vehicle rested overnight, symptoms were not present.
Repeated problems with steering, including uncontrollable vibration of steering wheel and loss of power steering. Car has 39k miles. Problem has recently grown worse, with complete loss of power steering and appearance of ps warning on computer screen during highway driving. Problem is especially prevalent in cold weather. Very dangerous.
Severe shaking in steering of 2002 prius. Also encounter loss of power steering for a short time 4 different times. Taken to dealer 3 times !st two times I was told it just needed grease on the steering column. 3rd time was told it needed $3400 of working and that the car was dangerous to drive. Car had approximately 107,000 miles the third time I took it in. After I contacted toyota corp. The dealer called to say he would work with me on the price, but I can not trust him to do the work. It has not been fixed yet I had ask the service manager if the car was safe to take on a long trip the 2nd time I took it in and he said yes. It was on the way back from the trip that I loss power steering driving on i95. Thankfully I was able to control the vehicle until power steering resumed.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius which was purchased in january 2002. He stated that there was excessive shaking in the steering wheel. While driving approximately 25 MPH, a warning light illuminated indicating that there was a loss of power steering. Intermittently the steering wheel becomes difficult to control while making right and left turns. A diagnostic test was performed and error codes indicated that the torque sensor failed. A dealer stated that the repair cost was approximately $2,000; although, there was a recall for the failure, the federal safety agency campaign id number: 00v285000, his VIN was not included. The current and failure mileages were under 89,000. Updated 04/05/10 *bf updated 05/05/10.
Intermittent severe steering wheel movement at low speed and steering failure which illuminated the ps failure light. Steering was difficult after failure. System reset after ignition turned off. Still have severe wheel vibration. Toyota dealers state an internal failure in the rack and pinion.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. While driving 55 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he slowed down to exit the highway and his power steering failed. The dealer stated that the torque sensor in the steering gear box failed. A the federal safety agency recall was established (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 00v285000). Repairs were not made. The dealer information is not available. The current and failure mileages were 128,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. While driving between 55-65 MPH, the steering warning indicator light illuminated and the power steering failed. The dealer stated that there was a faulty sensor and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The federal safety agency campaign id number 00v285000 (steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)) for a 2001 toyota prius was referenced. The current and failure mileages were 72,000. Updated 10/23/07
Service bulletins that may apply
- Toyota service campaign: unusual steering vibration when the driver releases the steering wheel
- Toyota: unusual steering wheel vibration when the driver releases the steering wheel
- Warranty enhancement - electronically assisted power steering rack assembly
- Customer support program - warranty coverage enhancement on the electronically-assisted power steering system
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2003 prius passenger cars manufactured from january 28, 2000, through may 30, 2003. The steering linkage may loosen, resulting in reduced electric steering assistance when making a left turn.
- Risk
- Loss of power steering, particularly when an operator is actively intending to steer the vehicle, may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace the nuts in the steering linkage free of charge. The safety recall began on july 8, 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 11V304000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2002 Toyota Prius power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 2002 Toyota Prius?
15 of 167 owner complaints about the 2002 Toyota Prius (9%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Toyota Prius?
There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2002 Toyota Prius
Loss of power 8Check engine light 7Jerking 7Stalling 7Brake failure 6Tire blowout 6Steering lock-up 5
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