2005 Toyota Prius: loss of power steering

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 103,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle made a loud popping noise. The contact noticed that the steering wheel was tilted and the anti skid and anti lock braking system warning indicators illuminated. When the contact attempted to merge to the emergency lane, the steering wheel separated from the steering column and caused a complete loss of steering ability. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the technician stated that the failure was unrelated to the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v537000 (steering). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. *dt

Filed May 5, 2013 · Steering · 105,402 miles · NY

I pulled into a gas station to fuel up and when I left the gas station I suddenly lost steering in my car. I could only move forward and backward. *tr updated 06/13/13*lj updated 06/17/2013

Filed Feb 6, 2013 · Acceleration, Steering · 27,773 miles · VA

Petition for an investigation into defect conditions in upper immediate steering extension shaft #2 manufacturing defect in the 2004-2009 toyota prius vehicles w/respect to recall 12v‑537. *smd an inspection revealed that the current loss of steering issue was caused by a catastrophic failure of the upper steering intermediate shaft. The upper steering intermediate shaft was decoupled from the electric- power- assist column output spline. A careful examination of the decoupled components revealed that for an extended period of time, the upper steering intermediate shaft had not been properly installed on the spline output of the power assist column. This allowed a metallurgical failure on the interior of the upper steering intermediate shaft, which consequently allowed separation of that shaft from the electrical steering power assist column. An examination of the shaft spline showed a long term deterioration of the upper intermediate shaft #2 inside spline as evidence by metallurgical shards of deteriorated spline metal still residing in the upper intermediate shaft cavity. Also, the cruise control would cancel and not re-engage, then there were times, where the cruise control would not dis-engage at all. The vehicle would drift off course whenever the consumer took his eyes off the road, for even a moment. The consumer would have to steer the vehicle constantly or it would drift into another lane. Apparently, it was due to a computer algorithm that would attempt to correct for wind and road surface anomalies.

Filed Nov 15, 2012 · Steering · 82,500 miles · MI · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact stated that while turning right at 35mph the steering became hard to control which caused the vehicle swerved to the left. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The contact suffered bruises and broke the right thumb. The passenger in the front seat suffered bruises. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 82,500. ..updated 12/05/12 *bf updated12/07/2012 *js*dt updated 4/21/20

Filed Jun 7, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 142,962 miles · CA

I drove a 2005 toyota prius VIN#[xxx] until 5/13/2010. At around 10am I was driving on the hwy in the lft lane. With cruise control on going 75mph. I had a GPS on and navigating. And I had my blue tooth earpiece on. Then all at the same time my blue tooth shut down. My GPS shut down. And every warning lite came up in the car. Even the display that usually shows how the hybrid systems works was blinking problem!! Problem!! So I let off the gas and started to move to the rt side of the road. Thats when I realized that I had no power steering. There was an exit coming up so I let the car slow down to about 50mph. As I started to exit I put my ft on the brakes. Thats when I noticed that the pedal was very stiff and vibrating. I was coming to a blind intersection and I had the red lite. So I pushed on my brakes. Instantly I could hear screaching tires. So I looked in my side mirror. And to my suprise im looking at a large amount of smoke coming from me! My rear tires had locked up and my front tires werent doing anything. So I started fishtail back and forth like I had my ebrake on. I put all my wt on the pedal cause the intersection was really getting close. And without power steering it was very hard to keep the car from crashing. I came to a stop just before the light. Then drove my car to the nearest dealer at in berkeley ca at 10mph. I told them everything. Even about my blue tooth and garmin. They got me a rental car then 4day later they said if I give them $2000 for a part and $1000 in labor it might fix it but there not sure cause they never saw this problem before. And they werent going to pay for my rental cause the part was out of warrenty after 36000miles. I have had every svc done at toyota. And if theres a computer pt that toyota knows can brake easily. Which they do. Thats why its only warrenty to 36000miles. It shouldnt result in the loss of your brakes and power steering. Very dangerous!! I could of died. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)