2007 Toyota Prius steering problems

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Steering · CA

In October 2026, my 2007 Toyota Prius experienced a serious mechanical steering failure at approximately 187,310 miles. The steering wheel could rotate without properly controlling the front wheels, resulting in a loss of steering control and creating a significant safety hazard. On October 6, 2026, an independent repair facility inspected the vehicle. Its written diagnosis, documented on an October 21 invoice, identified worn gearing at the intermediate steering shaft connection to the steering rack. The technician also identified a failed steering wheel spiral cable. The steering system has not been permanently repaired. This vehicle previously received Toyota's steering-related recall repair. I am concerned that the failure may be related to the federal safety agency Recall 12V537000, which addressed wear of steering shaft splines and the potential for complete loss of steering control. There is also a documented history of steering complaints. In May 2024, I reported abnormal steering noises to a Toyota dealership, which could not reproduce the problem. In July 2024, the dealership confirmed steering noises but attributed them to suspension components. In February 2025, the dealership confirmed noise originating from the steering column assembly and recommended replacing the steering column yoke assembly, potentially including both upper and lower intermediate steering shafts. I was not verbally informed of this recommendation. I am concerned that a vehicle previously repaired under a safety recall subsequently experienced a steering failure resembling the original recalled defect. I request that the federal safety agency review this failure and investigate whether it indicates a problem with the effectiveness or durability of the previous recall remedy.

Filed Jan 23, 2021 · Steering · 145,000 miles · MA

On november 14, 2020, my 2007 toyota prius had a loss of steering the steering wheel was no longer connected to the front wheels of the car. Parking on a city street atlantic toyota did not perform the recall on march 12,2013 for the cot recall this is what caused the loss of steering. The car was repaired at a private garage for the loss of steering and the part that failed was the steering intermediate extension shaft the part that should have been replaced under the cot recall done at atlantic toyota. (the shaft replacement depends on whether the bolt hole has a 'countersink', according to the technical instructions issued to dealers, t-cp-c0t-a510-d. The shaft that was removed and, in my possession, has a countersink). How could this happen toyota identified a defective part and issued a recall I brought my car to a toyota dealership and the work was not done. With the loss of steering there is a concern about safety and confidence in the vehicle, and nothing is more important than that. I am sending this email today because we know that something has gone terribly wrong. The system meant to safeguard against faulty vehicles has failed, and it needs to be fixed.

Filed Jul 17, 2020 · Engine, Steering · PA

We noticed the red triangle light and so we checked the engine oil. The dip stick was dry. I put oil in the engine and the red triangle went away. I kept an eye on the oil level occasionally I needed to put more oil in the engine. 3 months after taking the car for a regular oil change at the toyota dealer the red triangle came up again and this time I spoke to the dealership about the issue. The response was that it would be expensive to repair the car and the best solution was to buy a new car. I was never told about the 2011 tsb for excess oil consumption that toyota had issued. Today, july 17th, 2020,I called the dealer to ask about the tsb, and I was told that the tsb has been out for 10 years so I had had until 2017 to qualify. I do not believe I ever received a letter notifying me about the issue. Had I received the notification I would been the first person in line at the dealership. Also, my steering wheel feels like it is loose, if the speed is over 45 MPH it feels unsafe, the slippery sensor light comes on when I am turning the wheel slightly on a dry road, and there is an excessive noise inside the car even with the windows closed. This happens during highway driving. I am about to donate the car so that it can be used for parts. I love the car now I know to check with the federal safety agency when I purchase my next car.

Filed May 28, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 160,000 miles · CA

For a months the car im driving has become more and more dangerous from steering to speed ,braking and drastic wobbling of entire car I've taken pictures and video its unbelievable and outrageous.

Filed Dec 6, 2019 · Steering · 146,000 miles · FL

The steering intermediate extension shaft in this car was recalled and replaced in 2015. This part was noticed to be failing again by the mechanic while in for an unrelated issue. The mechanic deemed the car to be unsafe to drive as if this part failed while driving I would have been without any steering. Both the dealer and I feel that toyota should be responsible for the repairs, which they have declined, but equally as important that all the other cars involved in this recall should be checked. There is also no warning light or any indication for the driver that they may be unsafe. The recall notice would not scan but toyota reference number is below. Ref.# t-cp-c2t, date of issue: november 14, 2012*dt

Filed Jun 27, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 164,000 miles · TX

The dashboard don't work sometimes, sometimes tha break light turns on and the breaks stop working it change it self to neutral and the power steering w. Get really hard.. All this hapens when the car is in motion on city streets.

Filed Jun 19, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · MO

My car has a clunking/rattle sound when going over bumps or uneven roads even without brakes slightly engaged. It also does this when driving over 60 MPH on smooth roads but if I turn wheels slightly left or right the sound stops and when I turn them back straight it begins again. It is so bad that you can feel it on your feet and strongly thru the steering column. Also the front tires wear heavily on the inside edge. It feels like steering column may be loose at times. Also the horn keeps blowing fuses and when you put a new fuse in the drivers side door will shock you e every time you try to exit the vehicle. And the outside air temp will not read temp. I had new tires put on to replace old front tires and rotated all and balanced and just had new brakes put on from dealship. Radio reception is horrible even though other vehicles in same area get great reception. I love this car but I did buy it used so I am not sure if all recalls have been fixed or if they need fixed again. It seems like a lot of mechanics have no idea what they are doing.*dt consumer stated vehicle has been repaired.

Filed Oct 17, 2016 · Airbags, Steering · 90,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota prius. While driving at an unknown speed, a warning chime was heard and the steering wheel seized to the right. As a result, the contact crashed into a sign. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. *dt

Filed Aug 3, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 12,000 miles · OR · crash

On tuesday, may 26, 2015 at 5:04 pm while traveling at about 57 MPH south on hi way 101 at about the mile post 255.5, my 2007 toyota prius suddenly and without any change in steering by me, veered to the right off the road and into the guardrail. There seemed to be no reaction to my frantic steering and braking in the attempt to return the car to the road. After the car hit the guardrail it traveled about 15 feet spun back out into the southbound lane and was hit on the rear right side by a car traveling in the southbound lane. This caused the car to be propelled across 2 northbound lanes of traffic and come to rest with rear of my car embedded into the far side guardrail. Miraculously no one was hurt. The police were called and my 61 year perfect driving record was ruined. My car was totaled by the insurance company...updated 08/27/15 *bf update 9/15/15*cw*dt *cn updated 4/21/20

Filed Jun 1, 2015 · Acceleration, Steering · 159 miles · CA

While driving uphill on a curved, shoulder-less road, my car spontaneously shifted into neutral, causing it to lose all power as well as power brake. I attempted to physically hold the gear shift in "drive", but this did not bring power back, nor did it change the light on the dash from "neutral". At first the car would shift into reverse, and I was able to back into a wider part of the road. It then stopped shifting into any gear. I ended up having the car towed home in neutral, with poor (non-power) braking. I've since done a google search and see that this is a recurrent problem with 200-something priuses, based on consumer affairs, toyota nation, prius online, and car problem zoo.