Prius power steering

The Classic electric steering gear is a weak point, the torque sensors are variable resistors that would get dirty and cause severe steering wheel vibration. Usually the owner has plenty of warning via the vibration that the system is having trouble.

If the cited story described a different failure mode, please provide a link.

 

The article was Car Talk, I think:

 

Thanks. This is an example of an unwarranted repair that can cost big $$. Sounds like the electric steering gear failed, and the MSRP of that is $1,359.
DiscountToyotaParts

It is interesting that Rebecca did not mention any prior steering symptoms.

I recall that Toyota had offered a special power steering warranty on 2001 models for five years; but that has now expired. A possible alternative to installing a new steering gear would be to install a salvage part; however who knows how long that would last.

 

In my 2001 the intermittent steering shakes did occur first. But when the steering assist stopped working, on the highway, it was not immediately preceeded by shakes. Just an error display and the clear sense that I was doing 'unassisted' steering.

In that condition, rebooting the car brought steering assist back, but only for a little while.

Have posted elsewhere that the original Rebecca symptoms sound a lot like this because she was at low speed and the steering took all her strength. It really is like that, at low speeds.

 

i guess the electric motor that powers the rack fails eh? Man you need all the strength in the world (even though the car is small, it weighs as much as a midsize sedan of a regular conventional gasoline model!) to steer it left and right but I rather have to do that than have a full lock of the steering wheel.

 

Hi:

I am the 2nd owner of a 2001 Prius with 174k miles and am trying to decide whether to repair the power steering. We got the steering column vibration, warning lights, and finally the diagnosis from Toyota that the power steering "computer" was going bad. Not sure what all the abbreviations stand for but the ticket reads "steering RAC & ECM & align". Estimate to replace: $3500. Ouch. This seems to be the approximate blue book value of the vehicle. Do you have any opinion on whether the $3500 estimate seems to be in the ballpark or if I should get a second opinion? I will also check out salvage parts as an option. Also, from the descriptions of others with this problem, it appears that it is not safe to drive in this condition since the PS could go out without warning. Do you agree?

Thanks in advance for any comments you might have.





Thanks. This is an example of an unwarranted repair that can cost big $$. Sounds like the electric steering gear failed, and the MSRP of that is $1,359.


It is interesting that Rebecca did not mention any prior steering symptoms.

I recall that Toyota had offered a special power steering warranty on 2001 models for five years; but that has now expired. A possible alternative to installing a new steering gear would be to install a salvage part; however who knows how long that would last.[/QUOTE]

 

It appears that your dealer's service tech has recommended replacing the electric steering gear and the power steering ECU (electronic control unit). (Or does the tech want to replace the engine ECU which is aka ECM or engine control module?) You might inquire why it is not sufficient just to replace the steering gear.

It wouldn't hurt for you to obtain another opinion from another dealership to see whether you can secure a lower price.

If you wish to pursue installation of a salvage steering gear, you would have to find an independent shop willing to do that work.

It is true that it is not particularly safe to be driving a vehicle whose steering wheel might start to shake as if it were possessed, at any time.

If faced with a $3.5K repair bill, I would think long and hard before going ahead with that, considering the other problems that your car might log as you drive from 174K to 200K miles: failed traction battery, transaxle, inverter to name just a few possibilities. Each one represents an "opportunity" for you to pay another large four-digit repair bill if you rely on Toyota dealer service and new parts. Good luck.

 

Here is a video of the power steering failing on my '01/'02 Prius (titled '02 but built in '01) on Youtube.com

I just tried to post the link but this site (a Toyota site) will not allow a URL until 5 posts or more.

You can still access the video on Youtube. You will have to go to youtube.com and type in: Toyota steering problem pulls car off road.

Please report your issues to NHTSA.gov. My car has less than 70,000 miles on it but Toyota denies culpability for what is an obvious design flaw/manufactuers defect and I'm left with the $3,400 bill for their mistake. The more people who report their problems, the more info NHTSA will have to investigate and order a recall if warranted.

You can also file a suit in small claims court, it's fast, it's cheap, it's easy -you may or may not win but it's worth a shot.

 

Rebecca,
Here is what my Prius steering was doing (titled ’02 but built in ’01)

You can access the video on Youtube. You will have to go to youtube.com and type in: Toyota steering problem pulls car off road.

Please report your issues to NHTSA.gov. My car has less than 70,000 miles on it but Toyota denies culpability for what is an obvious design flaw/manufactuers defect and I'm left with the $3,400 bill for their mistake. The more people who report their problems, the more info NHTSA will have to investigate and order a recall if warranted.

You can also file a suit in small claims court, it's fast, it's cheap, it's easy -you may or may not win but it's worth a shot.

 

Oh dear you guys never cease to amaze me. How can it be Toyotas fault that a part failed on an eight year old car 30k miles past the warranty?

Cars wear out over time - get over it!

 

Thank you!

 

First, thank you for PriusChat and for this forum! I am a newbie, so who knows if I am doing this right, but here goes. I am looking for any input or for solace this anticipated expense.

My power steering supposedly just went. I have a 2002 Prius with 90,000 miles. I was told it was the ECU, which would cost $1,100. After replacing the ECU, the computer still had a light, and I was then told that I needed a new Rack because the old one was not compatible. The good news is that the dealer is going to "goodwill" the $2,400 that the rack costs (I don't know why, but I am suspicious), but the labor is about $500.00.

After reading a number of valuable posts, I see that this is a problem for Priuses of this generation. Any thoughts?

Thank you so much!

Shiva Devi

 

Your car needs a new steering gear, but probably did not need a new steering ECU.

 

Thanks, Patrick! Are you suggesting that is why they are "good willing" the other part?

Shiva Devi

 

Yes.