Approaching construction on the interstate when the car behind me was rear ended and pushed into my 21 Corolla Hybrid. I was accelerated from 9mph to 36mph in the impact, so it was a solid hit, but not enough to set off any airbags or cause life threatening injuries. On impact the steering wheel ejected from the dashboard and hit me in the face. The steering wheel was going in the back seat of the car. Having been accelerated to 36 mph and in traffic, I was faced with a terrifying situation. No way to steer or control the vehicle, no airbags in front of me anymore, and a hollow metal pipe sticking out of the dash waiting to impale me. I was VERY luckily able to bring the car to a stop without hitting anyone or anything with my severely reduced braking power. The steering wheel had ripped all of the wiring assist inside the dash. The car was totaled, partly because of rear end damage, and Pauly because of the incredibly costly repairs for wiring, steering column, etc.
When the problem was brought to Toyota's attention the sent an inspector to look over the car and determined the were no defects. I consider the steering wheel being in the back seat to be a substantial defect.
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Approaching construction on the interstate when the car behind me was rear ended and pushed into my 21 Corolla Hybrid. I was accelerated from 9mph to 36mph in the impact, so it was a solid hit, but not enough to set off any airbags or cause life threatening injuries. On impact the steering wheel ejected from the dashboard and hit me in the face. The steering wheel was going in the back seat of the car. Having been accelerated to 36 mph and in traffic, I was faced with a terrifying situation. No way to steer or control the vehicle, no airbags in front of me anymore, and a hollow metal pipe sticking out of the dash waiting to impale me. I was VERY luckily able to bring the car to a stop without hitting anyone or anything with my severely reduced braking power. The steering wheel had ripped all of the wiring assist inside the dash. The car was totaled, partly because of rear end damage, and Pauly because of the incredibly costly repairs for wiring, steering column, etc.
When the problem was brought to Toyota's attention the sent an inspector to look over the car and determined the were no defects. I consider the steering wheel being in the back seat to be a substantial defect.
- Jordan J., Daleville, US