Power Steering Failure and Li-ion Battery

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.
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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).

Hi, 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

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

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.