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

Has anyone had strange intermittent noises coming from the steering wheel? On several ocassions while turning ihave had a noise that sound like marbles in a drum rolling around. It is coming directly from the steering wheel shaft and happens even when standing still. It happened about three times all in a day. Now it seems to have disaappeared. I have not had ANY warranty issues yet with my 2006 which I bought in May 2006. Please send me anot to my Email address at. [email protected]


thanks

 

BVISailMan, no such sounds in my 04 prius



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BVISAILMAN @ Jan 3 2007, 02:31 PM) [snapback]370330[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BVISAILMAN @ Jan 3 2007, 02:31 PM) [snapback]370330[/snapback]</div>

I did. While driving home from having the work done I heard stranges coming from the steering column. I made a U turn and returned to the dealer. They took my car right away. After less than an hour it was returned to me with the problem solved. There was a collar on the steering shaft that hadn't been tightened correctly.

One other point, I noticed the other day that my steering wheel is cocked a few degrees to the right when going straight on an unbanked road. Wish I had noticed that right away. I'll have them address that on my next visit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(plantz @ Sep 14 2006, 07:29 PM) [snapback]319788[/snapback]</div>

Why th' heck do you continue getting it serviced (a vulgar synonym for "serviced" comes to mind) at the dealer who sold it to you? You can take it to any Toyota dealer you want.

 

bvisailman: turn the steering wheel and see if there's any rub marks in the plastic behind the wheel. you want someone to check it out just to be sure.

 

Heads up ...

Mine's been done. Steering wheel is now not centered. I'll need to go back. It you're getting yours done, it just might be worth checking out the steering wheel centering when the work is done before driving home.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jan 9 2007, 07:56 AM) [snapback]372998[/snapback]</div>

Good question. It's been the sort of thing that when they do things, they don't do it quite right. Once it's done, it's the dealer's responsibility to fix their own mistakes. I can't take it to another dealer for that.

It's all been little things. I realize that everyone makes mistakes, and I believe in giving a second chance. But things have gotten worse, not better.

Most of the problems I've had with the car are dashboard rattles. I've been told that Toyota will pay for only one go at them, then it's up to the dealer. But I plan to go to another dealer before my Prius needs servicing again and ask if they can fix them under warranty. If not, I will quite probably have the car serviced at an independent garage.

I was asked to fill out a questionnaire by Toyota customer service after my last service. I not only gave my dealer very bad marks, but enclosed a letter describing my problems. It's been several weeks, so I'm not at all hopeful that it will have any effect.

I like my Prius a lot, but I doubt that I will ever buy another Toyota product.

 

Hello Brandon,

When I search 60C and VIN, the search engine reports "no hits" or some other sort of error. Where is the VIN range list?

Thanks,

baumgrenze

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brandon @ May 31 2006, 06:30 AM) [snapback]263360[/snapback]</div>

 

Out of the blue and after many years of service with never a mention of this service, my dealer wants to do this service to my car. (very odd that 3 different toyota dealers that have services my car never mentioned this over the past 3-4 years since this notice).

Is this service really worth doing? My car runs perfect, steering is perfect, and if there is a significant risk that they are going to screw this up, then maybe I'm better off not bothering with it?

 

anyone?

 

This is a safety issue, so I would recommend that you have the work done.

 

This thread is 4 years old?

 

Evidently! My 2004 with 122K is at the dealer getting the 30K work done, there's one recall on the list that they will do (the accelerator pedal issue).

 

Too late now but ...

I wouldn't (and didn't) bother. If you are using OEM mats (winter or summer) properly secured with the hooks, there is NO WAY they can touch the accelerator pedal. A friend of mine had it done. He has NON OEM winter mats. NOW they catch the pedal, they didn't before the 'fix' which apparently involves cutting some off the bottom of the pedal.

 

patrick, my daughters 04 has never had the steering service, never received a notice and never told by the dealer it needs to be done. are there any 04's that fall outside the recall?

 

I believe that all 2004 Prius were subject to SSC 60C. The 2004 model year VIN range is:

KB20U 0001086 – 0116870
KB22U 0001142 – 0116845

I recommend that you provide your daughter's car's VIN to the dealer service department and ask them to research open SSCs. The other major relevant SSC is SSC 50P (engine ECU reprogramming). There was also a minor SSC having to do with the brake light switch, SSC 40L.

 

But is there any evidence of any real risk or safety issue? Or is it like the gas pedal recall?

Anyone actually have a problem with their steering without having the SSC fix?

Seems like a few people had problem with the quality of the SSC itself (steering wheel not being centered) and I'd rather not bother with having a major repair and the risk that the mechanic will screw something up unless I really need to.

Thanks for the info on the other SSCs

 

Presumably Toyota thought there was sufficient risk to order the recall campaign. I don't recall any PC posts or newspaper accounts reporting incidences of the problem. This is actually a good thing, as it demonstrates proactive behavior on Toyota's part.

I understand that the original steering shaft part has some risk of failing which would result in a loss of steering. The part is replaced with a new part.

That is much better than the gas pedal recall where the bottom of the original part is cut off, then reinstalled.

It's easy for an owner to assess the risk associated with the gas pedal recall and decide whether to have that performed. Since the steering shaft is not exposed and you therefore have no way to determine the condition of that part, it is not so easy to decide what your risk would be should you choose to ignore the recall notice.

 

Here is the complete text of the
SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SSC) – 60C (SAFETY RECALL)
(2004 THROUGH EARLY 2006 STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACEMENT).

It has Q&As, and an illustrated sequence for the actual parts replacement/repair.

SSC – 60C

[EDIT] Oops! Now I see this is an old thread. :mmph:
I guess I zone out when I see a Gen II thread that has possible
relevance to me.

Never mind.:behindsofa:

 

Toyota issued a recall on my 2002 Prius. I was not going to worry about it as we don't do lock to lock racing. My wife worried so put the car in for the recommended 4 hour rectification. 2 days later she got the car from them (they had not "seen one before" so took some time. Now the cruise control does not work (or continues to speed up she reckons) and the heater is permanently on trying to blast her to hades. So the thermostatic temperature control is jiggered.
Why is the computer upset with the heater?
I will bet they do not recognise the cruise control in re-assembly because this model did not have one fitted. It has been installed by me thanks to this forum.
Any ideas about how to advise the repair of the repair?