2007 Toyota Prius: loss of power steering

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 Oct 22, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 147,000 miles · TX

After the car has been parked for awhile, the dashboard was completely black. The car powered on, but there was no speedometer, no fuel display, and no odometer. The car will drive and gas engine and hybrid system works as usual, but there are no power steering, the turn signals do not work, and the wiper does not work. After driving for 5 to 15 minutes, the dash would light up and car drives like normal again and the problems mentioned go away. Based on internet research, this seems to a common problem. There are almost identical complaints on this site including the federal safety agency id number 10544698. Significant safety concerns exist due to the temporary lost of power steering, no turn signals, and no wiper during a rain.

Filed Jun 5, 2013 · Steering · 32,000 miles · FL

Loss of power steering assist that caused the vehicle to become difficult to keep in the proper lane of traffic. The power steering assist loss remained at all speeds including standing still at a traffic light. The toyota dealer checked the steering and "reset" the steering computer and torque sensor which returned the steering to normal. Several weeks later while driving on the interstate the loss of power assist returned. The car was brought back to the toyota dealer and the same procedure of "resetting" the steering computer was performed. The vehicle's steering went back to normal again ! The dealer stated "no" fault codes were ever present, and toyota denied having an issue with the 2007 steering system. I believe the steering computer does not properly store the torque sensor zero point, thus should be replaced. The toyota dealer disagreed and told me not to worry about it because the vehicle's steering was in perfect operating condition. My concern is the steering will lock up or do something terrible and cause a serious accident !

Filed Feb 23, 2013 · Steering · 12,000 miles · TX

The steering failed on my prius about 45 degrees into a right turn on saturday, 9 feb 2013. I heard a loud "pop" and my car lost steering completely and immediately. It almost caused an accident with the driver side of a car that was waiting at the stop sign to my right. There was no warning or "feeling" accompanying the steering loss (I.e. It didn't "grab" or "lock"). The steering wheel just suddenly no longer had any effect on the direction of the vehicle. The toyota dealership who investigated found that the spiral cable sub-assembly needs to be replaced, which they claim is not related to any current recall. This doesn't feel like a "normal wear and tear" issue, because it could have caused a serious accident.

Filed Mar 29, 2012 · Steering · 100,000 miles · TX

While driving the power steering went out suddenly causing a total loss of assisted steering. Which caused an abrupt change in steering ability almost causing me to hit a car while turning. The dealer determined it was the ECM and needed a new one at an astronomical cost of over $1000 to fix.

Filed Feb 9, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 45,000 miles · IL · crash

Car did not stop and seemed to accelerate when brakes hit during turn into driveway. Hit curb. Lost steering control and car had to be towed because of significant damages to wheel and also possibly steering. Snowy road. I was already driving very slowly. No reason why this much damage to my car or this level of impact unless car suddenly accelerated beyond my current speed while I braked. Car seems to accelerate on slippery, uneven surfaces and evs light comes on, even when brakes applied. Acceleration is beyond that seen with normal slippage. It is not simply slippage but actual brief acceleration.

Filed Feb 6, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 30,000 miles · MD · crash

Toyota prius loss of electical power, loss of steering resulting in crash in may 2009 while driving in a residental neighborhood at low speeds, prius lost all power resulting in loss of steering and loss of brakes resulting in crash into a high curb. I had prius towed to toyota dealership and filed complaint with dealership as well as with main california complaint center. They said that it would take them 4 months to investigate complaint. They recommended my storing car at dealership for four months if I wanted an investigation. They would not investigate otherwise. They told me there was no cause for concern and that the power loss must of resulted after the crash. They said that toyota had no safety complaints about power loss or steering or brake loss. I went on line and found same year model recall in australia. They told me the products were dissimilar and not a cause for concern. I disagreed. My routine mechanic at merchants tire and auto could find nothing wrong. I repaired the structural damage and sold the car since toyota assured me there was nothing wrong. Toyota corporation's methodology of investigation appears to be designed to stifle any meaningful determination of baseline safety fault. The requirement to store a car for months at owners expense and for driver to have no access for transportation would appear to discourage any meaningful investigation of safety concern. Given the current finding of brake and other safety defects in toyota products, I am concerned that the power loss may have been under-reported because of their unethical business practices. I report it to help you determine if there is a pattern of power loss, loss of steering and loss of braking in the prius.