I had a "system malfunction visit your dealer" dash alert with a little orange icon (circle with rectangle and two orange marks in the rectangle). Dealer ran faults and apparently there is a defective sensor in the wheel, so they have ordered replacement wheel. All under warranty, so other than a half day it takes to do the work, not really a big problem. My only question, is there any concern on having a non factory installed steering wheel on this kind of car? I would not think so, and have no options anyway, but wondering if anyone else has experience with this. Dealer said it is the only time they have seen it. Thanks.
Replacing the Toyota wheel that came on it with another Toyota wheel fresh out of a box? Wouldn't worry me....
There are too many buttons in that wheel to replace it with something other than a replacement OEM one. Unless you like not being able to control things on the car. The sensor that's a problem probably isn't in the steering wheel itself. My guess is It's the steering angle sensor - which is behind the steering wheel. It's not all that unusual for those to go out, but that usually happens after a decade or so, and not after only a year.
Just thought I'd add to this thread - it's one of the ones I found while searching. I had the same message, with the failure icons showing for LTA, LKA, PDA and LCA. Same repair proposed - steering wheel replacement. Those are all the functions which rely on steering wheel hand detection, and the wheel replacement means the problem has been diagnosed as capacititative touch sensors in the wheel. The other fix I've seen apply to one person online is a replacement of just the steering wheel ECU (which is in the wheel to read the touch sensor and control the heating). Still within warranty, but not by that much. Hope the new wheel doesn't give up after warranty...
Capacitive would be the more luxurious line, correct? The base model does small steering changes. I believe to see if you’re still holding the wheel. I thought the luxury model used interior cameras.
In the US and Europe, PHEVs have the capacitative sensors. That's associated with the lane change assist, and possibly traffic jam assist. There is a driver camera too, but that's for attention.
Not to drag this off topic, too much, but a search I did to educate myself revealed VW's failed experiment with capacitive steering wheel touch controls. I'm reminded of the stupid light switches on the Prius. I set off a light every once in a while, and look how far removed from, say, the steering wheel it is. Then too, you can't be wearing gloves or have to have conductive pads on them. I guess the infotainment touch screen is similar. I had to take off gloves, and it was cold. Same as with the fancy steering wheel, I imagine, when it works. Bare hands or fancy gloves. All in the name of quasi self driving tech. Not progress.
