2009 Toyota Prius steering complaints

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Steering · 300 miles · CA

I have the exact same problem with my 2009 prius as described below. I have had it into the dealer 3 times and have gotten no satisfaction. I have had 4 friends with prius cars drive mine and they all agree that my car's steering is bad. Http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/02/17/financial/f012558s46.dtl smaller, less-expensive vehicles such as the 2009 and 2010 corolla use electric-assist power steering. They are usually equipped with power steering systems that are aided by a small electric motor, a system known as electric-assist steering. The motor essentially helps align the steering wheel with the movement of the tires. The system is cheaper to install than steering systems that rely on hydraulics. Problems can arise if the motor is out of sync with the steering wheel, which could potentially cause the vehicle to wander without any turning of the wheel, he said. "car companies work on it a lot," said jim de clerck, a professor in the michigan technological university's mechanical engineering department and a former general motors engineer. "it is a pretty well-known customer-satisfaction issue."

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 6,700 miles · TX

In addition to the traction control, ABS, gas pedal/floor mat problems with the toyota prius there is also a safety issue with the power button. In an emergency situation, like the door coming open, throttle getting stuck, etc. You can't power off the vehicle quickly. You must hold the power button for some amount of time before the car will shut off. Unlike the toyota camry example where they suggested turning off the ignition, you can't do that on the prius. You also can't remove the key/fob to turn the vehicle off or power it off. There is also an extreme under steer problem with the vehicle which is a safety concern. In wet conditions it is exacerbated. It can be observed on clover leaf overpasses and general cornering.

Filed Jun 30, 2009 · Steering · 1,000 miles · VA

We own a 2009 toyota prius and we're experiencing problems with the prius's steering while operating the car over 60 MPH. The car wants to shifts from side to side. We are continuously moving the wheel , attempting to steer the car straight . During any cross winds the problem is worst. We contacted the local dealer and toyota's customer service rep and both indicated, "the car is working as designed." investigating my car problem on the internet, I discovered priuschat.com . There I found many other owners of different year priuses with the same steering problem.