- Steering column components are loose. They make the steering unpredictable. The vehicle moves dangerously from side to side when driving over 65 mph. "U-joint" inside the cabin is the component with play. - Previous recall "12V537000" could be related. My vehicle was not called during that campaign but meets the characteristics. - No dealer has confirmed. - No insurance has inspected. - No warning lamps on. Problem started appearing 2 years ago. Replaced all the steering components with OEM replacements but there is no replacement for steering column components to address the issue on my own.
2008 Toyota Prius steering problems
18 complaints (1% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 56,900. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 56,900
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Toyota Prius steering problems in other years
Related recalls
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
- Risk
- Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 12V537000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined the Petition Vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.Reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.Assessed Safety Recalls 06V‑188 and 12V‑537; and, 6.Requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information from Toyota.ODI's review revealed that the petition vehicle had been recalled (Recall 06V188) to remedy a defect in the system identified in the petition with the remedy taking place prior to the failure that prompted the petition. Circumstances point to incorrect reassembly of the petitioner's vehicle by those who performed the recall remedy.ODI examined the issues raised by this petition to identify any related safety defect trend in the general subject vehicle population.That review identified a low rate of related consumer complaints (twenty-five over a eight year period from a population of over 600,000 vehicles) and no pattern that would identify either a safety defect not already covered by the two existing steering safety recalls by Toyota or a systematic problem with either recall remedy.Based on this evaluation, ODI does not believe that additional investigation will lead to a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more information, see the Federal Register notice in the public file for this action select the federal safety agency ID, enter: DP13001)The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed on-line under the following the federal safety agency ID numbers:10407520, 10418710, 10429551, 10473654, 10478195, 10478053, 10437229, 10489425, 10510722, 10639984, 10648277, 10499778, 10712626, 10723196, 10787530, 10808124, 10838803, 11071646, 11098144, 11099507, 11102659, 11160767, 11192607, 11287550, 11287606
DP13001
What 2008 Toyota Prius owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V537000 (Steering) and the vehicle was repaired under recall. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel started to shake with the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the recall repair had failed. The contact made an appointment with the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be diagnosed by an authorized Toyota dealer. The failure mileage was 119,000.
My 2008 toyota prius shut off while I was driving on the road I could've involved in big accident if I was on a highway the way it shutdown without any warning sign. It just suddenly stopped
There was a popping noise in my steering wheel and then I had no movement in my tires. My steering wheel just spins round and round but my tires will not move I was driving down the street and I had no control of my car. So I believe it has something to do with the steering shaft or suspension.*dt
I was already driving (highway) for over 30 minutes this morning (24 sept 2018) and exited to the city street. After making a right turn (about a minute after the turn and now on a straight road) I momentarily lost control of steering - the car just moved into the opposite flow of traffic and I slowed down and try to control it and I swayed both ways before I was stable again. (luckily there were only a few cars on both sides of traffic) it happened so fast (2-3 seconds max) and while a warning light came on the dashboard and an audible sound - I was not able to see what it was. I managed to drive onto a vacant parking lot, observed the steering and when I felt I had control I drove another 10 minutes to work, this time had no problems nor signs of a problem. It was lightly raining and road was wet.*dt
When vehicle is turned on, instrument cluster also known as the combination meter, fail to turn on. This issue is very concerning due to the overall computer controlled functions of this vehicle. The speedometer, trip meter, odometer and other functions are not functioning due to the failure of the combination meter. Functions that are considered safety items such as the power brakes, power steering, anti lock brake system, speedometer, lights, etc. There is an issued warranty covering the issue up to a certain amount of time however since it is not a wear and tear item it should be covered by the manufacturer regardless. After vehicle is eventually ignited, combination meter does not illuminate and when attempting to turn off the vehicle, it fails to do so which also includes not being able to remove the key. I was advised by a toyota mechanic to access the safety override by holding the power button however that procedure does not work all of the time. I am very concerned about this issue due to my safety and drivers around me and their safety and hopefully this issue can be avoided before a possible a catastrophic accident happens.
On 10-28-15, I was driving at a very low speed in a parking lot. As I attempted to turn left to park, I heard a loud crack sound in the steering wheel. The steering wheel became extremely loose and know longer could control the motion of the wheels. I could move forward and backwards but all steering control failed. Thank god I was in a parking lot! I immediately called toyota and had the car towed there. They could not pinpoint the cause but said I needed a rack and pinion steering wheel shaft replacement, spiral cable, and steering shaft. Repair cost total is $2298.77. My car is well maintained and has never been in an accident. I'm up to date on recalls so this was very upsetting to me.....updated 12/30/15 *bf*dt *tp
I was traveling northbound on the saw mill river parkway. Exited on the northbound taconic state parkway ramp. After crossing the taconic state parkwat overpass. My 2008 toyota prius (without any input from my part) turned left and accelerated onto the grassy area. Even though made multiple attempts at correcting my direction by turning the car to the right and to stop the car, neither the steering inputs or engaging the brakes had any effect on the vehicle. After traveling almost the entire width of the grassy area, the car was caught by a branch on the ground, just before the driver side of the car would have slammed into a tree. I then proceeded to turn the car off. When I turn the car back on, everything was back to normal. There was no error message from the ecu during or after the incident.
2008 toyota prius. Consumer requesting all recalls associated with vehicle. *ta the consumer referenced recall # 09v388000. He also mentioned information regarding a steering defect.
I was driving my prius with 130,000 miles last night in a residential neighborhood featuring a counterclockwise,(left-hand) moderate curve. The "circle" ended at an intersection where I was to make a right turn. I turned my steering to the right to cancel the counterclockwise trajectory, but my front wheels seemed to be "locked" in the left turning motion. I slammed the brakes, but could not stop the car from climbing the curb and sideswiping a tree, causing my driver's side front wheel to be shoved backward towards the driver door in the wheel frame. My car is now at a body shop with an agreed $5600.00 in damage, mostly to the steering assembly, suspension, and wheel/axle. The wheel panel above the wheel will be replaced, and scratches on the front bumper and driver door will be repaired. Work is scheduled to be completed by january 5. I believe that the condition which caused the steering to lock in a left-turn condition without warning on a dry road is a serious manufacturing defect for which I should be reimbursed .fortunately, there was no traffic and no injuries, and even the tree seems unscathed. This could have been tragic on an interstate or in congested high speed traffic. I have been pleased with my prius' performance to this point, but believe that toyota has responsibility for this matter as evidenced by steering related recalls on similar vintage prius models. I request full reimbursement for my repair, mindful that these expenses could be a lot higher had this failure occurred under different circumstances. I had previously submitted this information to a toyota inquiry website and have not received an acknowledgement or response form toyota.
Questions about the 2008 Toyota Prius steering
Does the 2008 Toyota Prius have steering problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Toyota Prius, 1% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Prius steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 56,900 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Toyota Prius steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V537000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Toyota Prius have bad steering?
The Toyota Prius model years with the most steering complaints are 2002 (80 complaints), 2001 (45 complaints) and 2003 (39 complaints).
Other 2008 Toyota Prius problems
Lights 583Brakes 391Electrical 235Acceleration 156Driver assistance 82Body 68Engine 65Fuel system 58Transmission 54Airbags 41Visibility 15Locks 12Seat belts 9Tires 8Suspension 6Wheels 6Seats 3
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