The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. While driving approximately 40 mph and making a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions while turning left. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V304000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 197,000.

- Mt. Sterling, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. While driving 55 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he slowed down to exit the highway and his power steering failed. The dealer stated that the torque sensor in the steering gear box failed. A NHTSA recall was established (NHTSA campaign id number: 00V285000). Repairs were not made. The dealer information is not available. The current and failure mileages were 128,000.

- Branford, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. While driving between 55-65 mph, the steering warning indicator light illuminated and the power steering failed. The dealer stated that there was a faulty sensor and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. NHTSA campaign id number 00V285000 (steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)) for a 2001 Toyota Prius was referenced. The current and failure mileages were 72,000. Updated 10/23/07

- Vacaville , CA, USA

Continuation of complaint (ODI number) 10162367 the steering was each time frozen in the center position with no possibility of turning to the right or left. The earlier problem was not demonstrable to the Toyota service manager when the car had been brought in for servicing in October 26, 2005 and March 2, 2006 (during a one week visit), but because I had more time in July, I had scheduled a total inspection for the steering mechanism on Tuesday, July 11th. After this catastrophic failure, however, I had the car immediately towed to bi auto Toyota in florence for repair. Despite the fact that the towing charge was more than $200, I had no confidence that this car could be driven safely to the dealership. At the dealership, the service technicians identified the problem as requiring the replacement of the scatola guida, a part with a price-tag of 2840 euros (approximately $3500). When I called back to my Toyota dealer in pittsburgh, I was told that the most expensive steering part that could be purchased was the steering rack which was about $1100. However, the bells and whistles went off when bi auto provided the part number 44200-47060. This same part was replaced by rohrich Toyota in pittsburgh on May 14, 2004, at 26,539 miles. Replacement was soon followed with a warranty extension. Similar experiences to mine are documented at www.priusonline.com/viewtopic.php?T=539&highlight=, but as far as I know, no one has reported this second incident two years and 20,000 miles later (the Prius odometer now reads approximately 47,000 miles). Moreover the symptom for the first replacement was a vibration when starting the engine and shifting into reverse. Other individuals have reported the turning stiffness earlier and excessive and uneven tire wear (my rear tires were badly worn at 24,000 miles), but this is the first time for me that this total freezing of the steering wheel in a straight forward position has occurred.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Power steering gear assembly (rack and pinion) is failing. Car shakes when turning. It failed on 2 Prius out of 5 I have had. I think there should be a recall from Toyota for this issue.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Steering rack failure, related to torque sensor failure. Replaced once under warranty, but is beginning to fail a second time with same symptoms.

- Lake Forest, CA, USA

Power steering gear assembly (rack and penion) is failing. Car shakes when turning and backing up.extended warranty company refuses to cover until system completely fails or it becames a "safety issue".

- Lockhart, TX, USA

Steering column and car vibrate when turning or backing. Lesser vibration in steering also sensed when driving straight. Brought car into dealer on August 14, 2002. Am told that replacement steering rack is unavailable and date of receipt of one is not known. Reported this problem to Toyota consumer services and file # 200208260148 was assigned to my report. There is also extensive discussion of problems with prious steering on several web sites at which I determined that there was a recall of the 2001 model. Manufacturer has not corrected defect on 2002 model.

- Chicago, IL, USA