Steering column clicking and clacking (grinding?) on turns - '06 Prius

In the US, there was a Special Service Campaign for the steering intermediate shaft replacement, SSC 60C. This affected 2004 through early 2006 model years. In the US, the affected 2006 Prius VINs were:

KB20U
3099688 - 3129959
7057941 – 7059090

KB22U
3128082 – 3129958
7056471 – 7059063

I had noticed some steering column noise on my 2004 even after having this work done. However after several months the noise went away. I assume that some plastic trim was rubbing against the steering shaft.

 

We have the same problem however, our vin number is not on the recall list. We have two 06's. They both are driven the same way. One makes the grinding noise and the other does not. Neither is on the recall list.

It sounds like plastic parts are rubbing together while turning at a slow speed. It is kind of a grind clunk sound.

We live in a high rise. We park on the 7th floor. All of the turns are to the right...entering or leaving the parking garage. So, both cars are doing a lot of right turns. One is ok and the other has the problem.

The noise also happens on left turns.

Our concern is...could this be dangerous? Could the steering go out without warning...or are we just being bothered by a little noise making turns.

Any suggestions?

Aloha, richard

 

Hi Richard,

Since the SSC in question was published by Toyota Motor Sales USA, the VINs listed may exclude the vehicles sold by Servco Pacific in Hawaii. Therefore you should check with your local dealership to see whether any SSCs apply to your vehicles.

(BTW, all of my three Prius were originally purchased in Honolulu. When I took one of them to a southern CA dealer for warranty service, the service writer was puzzled because he could not find my car's VIN in the TMS USA database. He was wondering whether the car came from Canada. I had to wait a few days before TMS USA could confirm with Servco Pacific that my car was legitimately covered by Toyota warranty in the mainland USA, and was not grey market or some other weird thing... )

In general, I would say that the noise is not a safety issue, just a nuisance. However to be sure, it would be reasonable for you to take the car to the local Toyota service center and see if the tech can find any problem. Good luck.

 

Thanks a million for the feedback. Servco did find one of the cars in their data base but could not find the other.

Do you think it would be a good idea to spray some wd40 at the problem?

aloha, richard

 

Well, I don't know if the WD40 will react with the interior plastic surfaces. It might be better to have the car checked out.