2001 Prius Steering Problems

I suggest you call the Toyota Customer Service number. Tell them about the problems you are having with the dealer(s). One of their main functions is to help customers cope with the dealer network. Check the top sticky in the Prius Main Forum for a list of phone numbers. Make sure you stress that you consider this a "safety related item" after all steering is a fairly important thing to have when you are going down the road.

 

Sorry Saha. I have read of a few rack replacements failing. The Toyota customer service line is 800-331-4331, and you need to tell them all the details, including that thousands of your Prius internet friends are watching to see how this matter is resolved.

Surely someone around Boston can suggest a better Toyota shop for you. Ask in the main forum.

 

Insist on getting a case number opened, ask where to mail them a copy of the letter that you are sending to NHTSA, ask them who at Toyota wants the opportunity to present their side of the story when you get interviewed by your local paper. Remind them that other Toyota recalls have been quite newsworthy lately.

It may sound like I hate Toyota, but that is not so. They have deep pockets and can well afford to keep 50,000 US classic Prius (or ~100,000 global) buyers happy. After all, we bought their car when everybody else was scared to. Our front-end investments laid the groundwork for their success with the new model. They have spent $millions on the classic model for HV battery resealing and the steering rack replacements (including your first one). These precedents seem applicable to me.

 

well, it might be a rack... there's that 5 year enhanced rack and pinion warranty- 5 years unlimited miles from date of purchase. have you passed the 5 year mark?

violent shaking can also be caused by warped rotors or imbalanced tires, but that won't explain the ps shutting off completely.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(saha6818 @ Aug 31 2006, 05:53 AM) [snapback]312091[/snapback]</div>

Well, the Toyota dealer in Flagstaff (Bob Sellers Toyota) fixed my Steering Wheel to be straight up after it being off about 10 degrees to the right. Also, gave a free alignment. Wow, it feel so great. I had no idea what a difference the "well done" recall would make in the feel of the steering. I drove home down Oak Creek Canyon (which is always enjoyable).

They ordered a new gear shift mechanism so they could fix the clicking after the Steering Recall. It appears I'm the only one to have this anomaly. They DID NOT fix the dash. I called Toyota Cust Care Corporate and they said the dealer will have to call their Toyota Corporate Cust. Care Rep. and that they MUST Stand by the Rep.'s decision. I simply feel that a Prius owner that keeps the car in the shade, drives conservatively, is being punished because thier dash doesn't warp till around 50,000 miles. Toyota says if the dash warps before 36,000 miles they fix it. If it happens after 36k they consider it "Interior Trim" not covered on the 10 yr. 100,000 mile Extended Warranty which I purchased. Bumper to Bumper my nice person. Interior Trim??? The dash, Air Bag, Glove Compartment???

Anyway, I'm awaiting the answer to the dealers request for coverage of the Warp to the Toyota Corp Cust Care Rep. The dealer Service Person was great and very knowledgeable. She knew exactly what is causing the warp. I believe the dash / glove compartment problem destroys the integrity of the Air Bag Deployment on the passenger side because there are popped screws or springs and they are sharp objects. This is a serious saftey issue!!!!!!!!

 

Hello All:
I know that all this is several years (?) old , but those Gen1 Prius' are still out there and I recently got one. In a nutshell as an ASE Master Tech I can judge when the steering on a car wants to kill me. My lovely little Prius has a real mean streak. While getting 41 MPG, I just bumped the steering wheel with my knee and found myself headed for the ditch @ 70 MPH.
Toyota says with over 100,000 miles their records show a TSB and repair in 2001. Nothing since. DTC 1513 Torgue sensor problem = $1990 from Toyota.
ANYONE HAVE ANOTHER SOLUTION ?
Wonderful car. Too bad it has such a fatal flaw (pun) and Toyota does want to spend a minimal amount while spending millions on advertising. Be aware when you drive.