Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. Each time the vehicle is driving forward or in reverse at approximately 4 to 10 mph, it shakes violently. The failure occurs intermittently and usually in cold weather. The vehicle shakes roughly after it has been driven for a while. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on two occasions. Service bulletin number 20040604 was referenced. The dealer discovered that the steering rack and steering computer failed and needed to be replaced at the cost of $2,200. The current mileage was 50,000 and failure mileage was 40,000.
Steering
Toyota Echo Steering problems by year
7 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Echo's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.
Steering complaints by model year
Latest Echo steering complaints
Purchase a toyota echo from maroone dodge. Window stick said car had power steering. Equipment missing from car.Dealership will not acknowledge. Further more cars with rack and pinion without power steering are a potential safety hazard. Attorney general working on case. *Jb
In march 2002 the steering column tilt lock mechanism broke permitting the column to freely move up and down. Toyota of fort worth (then mckinney toyota) replaced the broken parts and installed a reinforcement kit. In december 2004 the replacement parts broke and toyota of fort worth again replaced the parts. In december 2004 while awaiting replacement parts to arrive at toyota of fort worth, while driving on an expressway it was neccessary for me to perform very hard braking to avoid hitting a vehicle which cut me...
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off very close. When I applied the brakes my torso was thrown forward by the sudden deceleration (with safety belts on) and naturally the force was transmitted to the steering wheel through my hands, which caused the steering wheel to turn to the left and the car to of course swerve to the left unintended. Fortunately the left lane was vacant at that time, otherwise I would have collided with a vehicle that might have been alongside to the left. Consequently I was alert to this and had no further incidents while awaiting parts to arrive and be installed by toyota of fort worth. The replacement parts are the exact same as original parts, so in about 2-3 years they will again break.*Ak
1. No problems whatsoever until event. We are original owners and the car only had 17,000+ miles on it. 2. Driving along at normal rate of speed, suddenly metallic, grinding sounds from under hood (not like a blow out or tire tread coming off), slowed down to pull over when car pulled hard to the right and locked. Husband pulled hard on the steering wheel to the left. The steering wheel turned but the wheels didn't. No control of car whatsoever. Car hit guardrail. Airbags deployed. Husband was taken by ambulance with head, chest, and back injuries. 3. Still haven't heard from insurance company but everyone has told us the car is totaled. *Jb
Suspension is very soft, vehicle is hard to control at speed over 60 mph, easily moved by gusts of wind. *Ak
Car was being driven on a straight, dry road at 35 mph. The steering wheel started oscillating from left to right on its own out of control of the driver. The car hit the curb and tipped over on its side.
When the consumer became to move from a stopped position the steering wheel began to oscillate from left to right which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle and hit a curb. Once the vehicle hit the curb it tipped over onto it's side. None of the occupants were injured. *Ph *cb *nlm
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data