Suddenly lost steering while driving my Prius

I would say that you should just drive the car and not worry about the noise, unless you are willing to pay a four-digit price just to get rid of noise.

 

This just happened to me tonight. I started the car and turned the wheel. The steering wheel popped, instead of its usual groan. And then the steering wouldn't stay where it's supposed to. The traction control light came on, and the car went into limp home mode, not wanting to exceed 18mph. Which is probably a good thing since the steering was iffy if you give her nice tug. Interesting. I immediately thought of the recall and figured it was a gear stripped in the steering. Can't wait to see if the dealer decides to snowball me! Will keep everyone posted. Had good experience with them previously.

 

Dude, that sounds terrible. Glad to hear you are Ok. Did you have the recall work done on your car before this?

 

It's not good. But this is probably exactly the reason for the recall. Let's see if Sterling McCall Toyota agrees. I did my headlight recall with them. Had a good experience.

 

why didn't you take it for the recall, i think our 08 went in a year ago.

 

Bisco's right the recall that addressee's the steering issue is over a year old. I would imagine all the people here bought there car second hand maybe privately and Toyota was not able to reach them to send them the notice.

The steering wheel shaft is connected to the steering motor assy by a clamp. The clamp becomes stripped with alot of hard wheel lock to wheel lock movements like aggressive city parallel parking. Bang hard one way bang hard to stop the other. Clamp breaks then the steering wheel is then disconnected form the steering assy. and able to free wheel around and around without stop. This stretches the clock spring to its max then it snaps. Anything past what would be normal steering wheel lock and it snaps.

The technical description concerning protecting the clock spring during the TSB clamp replacmenet is make sure the steering wheel is clamped into place so it can't turn during removal of the clamp. I hear techs use the seatbelt to affix it while working.

Many reports of steering wheels off center after clamp TSB replacement because the tech did not pay attention to clear view during clamp install.

Many reports of clockspring failure after this tsb performed probably because the tech forgot the wheel can free wheel around after clamp removal and the wheel probably on its own turned a little and went past wheel lock position and stressed the clockspring before the tech went oh sh*t and stopped it. After that won't be long after normal use the clockspring will fail. No buttons and airbag illuminates but steering is unaffected.

And yes its a scary car if that recall has not been addressed. Clamp could snap off at a most inopportune time.
That and after clamp replacement don't bang it wheel lock to wheel lock. It really stress the whole mechanical assy.

Probably a good idea if you have bought a used Gen 2 in the last 2 years to take it to the dealer and have them scan the VIN and see if all the TSB's have been performed. It's free and with this TSB may save your life.

 

I agree what they told you is disinformation. My guess would be that if the spiral cable is broken at all, it was done when the Steering Intermediate Extension Shaft which is covered under warranty broke.

 

Well, Sterling McCall Toyota in Houston is golden! I've had good experiences with them in the past. 15 years ago, I took my Lexus SC400 in for electrical work as the previous owner had tried to improve upon the Nakamichi stereo in the car. I was frankly shocked how little they charged me.
Then about 8mo ago, I got the headlamp recall done. Now, they're fixing the rack and so on. They tried to sell me on replacing the front brakes, but it was really a soft sell.

Oh, I didn't bring the car in for the recall because I just didn't have the time to do it. I was going to do the recall next week right as I'm leaving for holiday. The Prius had other plans apparently.

 

My Toyota Prius Electric Plug in (2012) suddenly encountered the same issue as described

 

welcome!
sorry to hear it. how many miles on her?

too bad the o/p never came back with a resolution.

 

My Toyota Prius Electric Plug in (2012) suddenly encountered the same issue as described. by MIkeSuddenly steering got locked, luckily I was in residential area driving very slow due to snow and bumped into my curb with no damages to car/people inside, but its really scary to even think if this would have happened in the middle of traffic, as the position of the steering was locked at 45 Degrees, and there is no way to drive straight.

Please let me know if this issue is covered by any of the recent recall's.

Any response/input is highly appreciated.

 

no. perhaps something was damaged by the curb.

funny story though, i had an old fiat where the calipers would lock up. in the snow, the car would just go into a skid.
another time, a king pin snapped, and the wheel half fell off.