Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had lost functionality for some buttons on the steering wheel that didn't directly impact safety. On replacing the clockspring mechanism inside the whweel I decided to inspect the old unit. Four of the lines in the flex cable are impacted by corrosion, three have already failed. The fourth line is one of the airbag's electrical lines. I'm filing an issue report because the airbag would be next impacted by this failure and I believe there's a fair chance the corroded line could fail during the vehicle's attempt to fire the airbag on the wheel.
The automatic braking system (ABS), vehicle stability control (vsc), brake light, and brake system warning lights (4) on the Prius all came on and vehicle became very unstable while out of town. The owner's manual indicated that the dealership should be contacted and car should be taken in immediately for service. Since no dealership was available at the immediate location, the car was driven home (60 miles) in very unstable conditions. Upon bringing it to the dealership I was told it was a miracle nothing bad had happened because the "computer skid assembly" needed to be replaced at a cost of $1570.97 for just the part!!! I found it very interesting that the part was readily available as if I were replacing an oil or air filter. After confirming the cost with other dealerships, I consented to the work to be performed. Is this just another "built in obsolescence" feature? …
I was pulling out of a parking spot and my steering completely gave out. I could turn my steering wheel to the left and to the right, but my wheels were not responding to the movement. There was a rough noise as I tried to correct the steering but there was no forewarning of this (I had been driving around town earlier that day just fine - on busy roads with higher speed limits). It was very scary and thankfully, I was only going 5mph so I just stopped the vehicle and placed it in park. My car is currently at an independent repair shop in austin, tx and they said the splines broke which disabled the steering (and that I need to replace the steering rack and yolk). I'm getting a second opinion at a Toyota dealership to see what they say, but this major failure was extremely alarming. My Prius has approx 92,000 miles on it, and I take very good care of it from a maintenance standpoint. …
The steering on my 2005 Prius with roughly 119,000 miles failed. Fortunately it was at a low speed and on a side street but without any ability to steer the car, it could have been really bad if on a main road or at a higher speed! The car is currently with a Toyota dealer and the cause is yet to be determined. Toyota stated there is no recall outstanding on the car and it would be out of pocket. There was, however, a prior recall for steering issues. When it failed, I was able to move it back and forth but the wheels would not turn at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while turning right at 35mph the steering became hard to control which caused the vehicle swerved to the left. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The contact suffered bruises and broke the right thumb. The passenger in the front seat suffered bruises. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 82,500. ..updated 12/05/12 updated12/07/2012 updated 4/21/20
2005 Prius totaled. Wheel suddenly jerked to right and pulled vehicle off road. No apparent reason for this, as nothing hit, police report taken by highway patrol, witnesses from both direction to physical accident. No one hurt. Vehicle considered total. Insurance special investigator to check it out. Case also filed with Toyota, who is sending person to check out vehicle. Also, complaint on this wedsite, as couldn't figure out how to get in and get bulletin on recall related to faulty steering for Prius.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. While driving at any speed, the steering wheel felt loose and the vehicle was unstable. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was not a recall issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and restated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.
The car's passenger side tie rod was cracked, most likely since the day of manufacturing. The car spun around 180 degrees. The car rolled three times at 75 MPH. Wife has memory problems as well as some physical and emotional problems. Toyota said that the car having lost the passengers side tie rod would have remained controllable. I don't believe that and I think Toyota is responsible for the accident.
This is an ongoing problem with their intermediate shaft. They have never completely resolved the recall issue, as it continues to this day. Consumer contacted the manufacture, since recall was already replaced once consumer was told they would not be responsible. Also, consumer went to the dealer to get a recall history, shows that shaft has been replaced twice.
Steering is sticky on turning while driving. Kind of jerky. Toyota dealer in ft. Myers, fl. Said they did all recalls. I don't think they did. Is there proof of recalls on my car? Thanks, [redacted]
Related recalls
Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012.
Steering › Electric power assist system
The intermediate shaft and sliding yoke in the electric power steering system can crack when large forces are applied and the connection May separate or the sleeve May fracture.
Remedy: Toyota will replace the steering intermediate shaft and inspect the sliding yoke and replace it if necessary. The recall began on June 9, 2006. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA investigations
Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined…
Steering complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Toyota Prius, 4% of the model year's 1,051 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Prius steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-537 (shaft sector, Nov 14, 2012); NHTSA recall 06V-188 (electric power assist system, May 31, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Prius steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.