Toyota Prius - Special Service Campaign (Steering Shaft Assembly Issue)

[tmsusa]

Hello from TMS USA. Today we provided information to our dealers and the NHTSA about a voluntary special service campaign Toyota will conduct for certain 2004 through early 2006 MY Prius involving the steering shaft assembly.

Toyota dealers will receive detailed technical information around June 5, and we anticipate sending out owner notifications about one week after that. There are about 170,000 Prius vehicles involved in the U.S., and the service procedure involves replacing a portion of the steering shaft assembly that could potentially become loose under certain operating conditions.

We've not had any reported cases of this condition in any Prius vehicle but did want to initiate this action to ensure the highest levels of vehicle quality and customer satisfaction. We're also interested in getting accurate information out to consumers, customers and other Prius enthusiasts via nontraditional means, such as through important discussion forums like this.

More detailed information will be available from our dealers as well as our Customer Experience Center at 800-331-4331.

Hope this helps clarify some of the speculation posted elsewhere re the global actions taken related to this by our parent TMC in Japan.

[mcbrunnhilde]

I called the 800 number earlier today, and there was a recorded message about the recall which said that notices would be mailed out in June. I'd look for it around the middle of the month.....

[EricGo]

Thanks Toyota.

It's *great* that they are posting in the forum.

[tmsusa]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EricGo @ May 30 2006, 06:22 PM) [snapback]263117[/snapback]</div>

Thanks Toyota.

It's *great* that they are posting in the forum.
[/b]

You're welcome. For those that are concerned and worried about whether their vehicle is affected, the units in question were built from August 2003 to November 2005. And as a reminder, there have been no cases of this condition reported nor any accidents involving affected vehicles which may relate to this condition.

[galaxee]

hello TMS-

thank you for stepping up and providing input to our community, it really demonstrates the "above and beyond" approach to your customers.

my husband is a tech at Mark Jacobson in NC- dealer code 32127. any info you could provide on what to expect for them would be greatly appreciated. as you probably know, they're among the top national sellers of prius, and along with that goes a huge service committment. he and his colleagues would like to know what to expect.

what is the SSC number of this recall? will there be a parts inspection or just replacement? is June 5 the date that info will be posted on TIS?

he's thrilled to see involvement on toyota's part in this site, as many others will be. we may be the biggest research group Toyota has!

this kind of response is what makes him so proud to work for Toyota. no other manufacturer has demonstrated this amount of concern after the sale. thanks.

[ps: any advanced details on the 08 prius? ]

[edselpdx]

Wow. Volvo wouldn't have done this; service was like pulling teeth (mine, not theirs). Sounds like I *may* be in the bunch affected, but I'll wait for the snail mail notice. Thanks.

[IndyDoug]

I think I'll pass on this recall. I never make hard turns at slow speeds or at any speed. I drive my Prius like your grandma would drive it.

Thanks for the info, TMS.

[powrfuel]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IndyDoug @ May 30 2006, 05:44 PM) [snapback]263133[/snapback]</div>

I think I'll pass on this recall. I never make hard turns at slow speeds or at any speed. I drive my Prius like your grandma would drive it.

Thanks for the info, TMS.
[/b]

Toyota's position is exactly why I bought a Prius (among other reasons). They stand behind their product and when something goes wrong, they stand up, tell it like it is and correct it, Bravo. Are the big three American compmaies listening?

[Sufferin' Prius Envy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IndyDoug @ May 30 2006, 06:44 PM) [snapback]263133[/snapback]</div>

I think I'll pass on this recall. I never make hard turns at slow speeds or at any speed.[/b]

Conversely, I think I will take up Toyota's offer to check my car - for free . . . isn't that always a good thing?

Am I missing something here? How does one go from “. . . steering shaft assembly that could potentially become loose under certain operating conditions.” to “. . . I never make hard turns at slow speeds or at any speed.”

Did you read that somewhere and not post your source, or are you just assuming? <_<

[Three60guy]

I have a 2006 Prius built November 5, 2005. I take it my car could be in the list as well. I will wait for my letter for more information. Thank you.

One question I do have...

Your info states you have a 2006 Prius. However you also state you have option #9. From my information option #8 is the highest available for the 2006. Was it merely a typo? Just curious.

Again, thank you for your interaction. A very positive sign. Obviously there are other questions that could be discussed in this type of way. It would be good, if you find this a positive experience, that more of this could occur.

Cheers