I read the "Click and Clack" column today (Fri 6 Jun) about a person with a 2004 Prius power steering failure. Their discription of it was a little scary. Has anyone heard of Toyota fixing the problem (electric rack and pinion?). I am waiting to buy a 2010 with the Li-ion batteries. Hopefully, Toyota will solve their problems and Li-ion will be ready in 2010. I have a 2003 4R which is a great vehicle except for mpg (15 and 20). I am trying to convince myself to sell it, but haven't as yet. I appreciate these forums for providing useful info.
Yep, your right, only electric power steering ever fails. Power Steering failure... - United Bimmer Community - BMW Forum Dreaded Power Steering Failure - MINI2 - MINI Forum 2005 Altima power steering failure? - Yahoo!7 Answers Long-Term Road Tests - 2008 Buick Enclave CX: Power Steering Failure 2.0 TDCi engine/power steering problems. - Mombu the Ford Forum WikiAnswers - Causes of intermittent power steering failure John's blog from Sydney, Australia.: Power Steering Failure Need I go on? Electric power steering uses a few simple every day components like electric motor, switches, torsion bar, battery and relays so one would expect failure to be rare compared to a system with hydraulic pumps valves hoses, actuators, torsion bars, belts, reservoirs, radiators and seals. I can only guess people have more confidence in the hydraulic system because it's tried and tested while the electric steering has only been around since the mid 90s in Toyota MR2 and Japanese domestic Toyota Crowns.
CLICK & CLACK TOM AND RAY MAGLIOZZI Title: No recourse for driver of faulty-steering prius "...the wheel froze in the turned position. I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting a parked truck." I can send you the link, for I'm being denied posting it here:
2001-2003 Prius used potentiometers on the torsion plate, which turned out to be a bad idea. After a number of early failures, they offered a 'warranty enhancement' for 2001-2002, and I actually got in just under the wire on that. Our (or at least my) presumption at the time was that the sensors were greatly improved, but the 2003 here is not the first to have also gone bad, so we might conclude that potentiometers are ismply not the right way to do this. The electric assist power steering assemblies are availble from salvage dismantlers (for much less) but I have not heard of such problems being resolved in that way. Typically, Toyota shops would not be willing to install 'used parts'. Starting with 2004 Prius, Hall Effect sensors have been used instead, and with no analogous failures (known to me).
could you tell me what that "warranty enhancement" is and what was the timeframe? Was it time and mileage, or just time. I just received a $2,100 estimate today to replace my rack and pinion because it died. I've got a 2002 prius that up until this point has been a great little car. thanks, dave
Warranty enhancement meant a lifetime warranty on the steering rack. I still have the letter in the glove box I believe. I was one of the first to experience/report this issue in early 2002 and my dealer thought I was on crack until a few visits later when it was more pronounced, they felt it too.
If you still have that letter, could you see if it has any sort of official Toyota bulletin number or anything on it that I could try and see if my dealer can look it up? I'm still waiting to hear back from my dealer as to a possible warranty coverage since he never heard of such a warranty enhancement. Thanks, dave
I was incorrect, per a previous thread when I actually had the letter, it was 5 years unlimited miles. For a 2002 MY, that time has expired. I can no longer find the letter. Either way, this is a 2010 Forum, I'd suggest continuing this in the correct forum within the other thread. :focus:
Wow, $2100 to fix the steering? Steering shouldn't break. I really, really feel for you. One doesn't expect to have a 10% "tax" on Toyota ownership after only 6 years. The car is still a pup! I used to fear only the cost of replacing the battery pack. Then problems like this, despite the Toyota nameplate... I'm watching closely how Toyota handles this design flaw. People think Toyota is the holy grail of reliability, but they are designed by imperfect humans as all autos are. How they treat their customers is what matters. I hope Toyota is reading this; I'm shopping for a new car. My 21 year old Dodge just cost me $90+tax to replace the worn out, ten year old starter motor (rebuilt, installed myself). Please, followup post here on how you handled the problem with your 2002 Prius once resolved. I'm esp. interested in Toyota's treatment to you. At $2100 in this economy, I'm sure you'll put some time and research into the matter. Please share your results. As to how this thread got into the newly-created "2010 Prius" forum, I don't know but indeed, it should be moved by the moderator. Starting yet another thread on the exact same topic only contributes to thread pollution.
he will probably get some discount when he complains to toyota corp, but thats basically it, unless you think that toyota will give you lifetime warranty for the vehicle, which they wont. i am sure old unit can be found at some junkyard, and replaced for much cheaper. When it comes to pretty much everything, rules are the same for Prius, as with any other vehicle.
Hokie-Dave, copy of the warranty enhancement letter is in the files of the Yahoo! toyota-prius-sat1 group. You must join that group for access. Having the letter might help your case a bit when you call 800-331-4331 on this. Get a case number and begin the patient but persistent process of convincing them to pay or cost share. They might and they might not. I think our success rate in 'picking Toyota's pockets' on post warranty NHW11 repairs is still better than 50% Suggest you start your on thread on this issue in care/maint/troubleshooting so we can observe and comment on your progress in an appropriate place. Good luck.