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 2006 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel erroneously steered to the left direction on its own. The contact used force to maneuver the vehicle however the steering wheel independently veered again to the left, right, left, and then back to the right. The vehicle crashed into a curb, and violently accelerated across 2 lanes of oncoming traffic where a van crashed into the vehicle head-on. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact sustained 11 fractured bones (L1 through L5 lower lumbar, pelvic, pelvis, 11th rib, and sacrum) and received medical attention via trauma center where she remained for over 2 weeks. The other driver of the van sustained unknown injuries but did not receive any known medical attention. A police report was not on file for the incident. A dealer was not contacted. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. While operating the vehicle, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering ECU was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Also, while driving the vehicle, it suddenly stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body was faulty. The failure was repaired. The contact also indicated that the air conditioner blower stopped operating and the front windshield could not be defrosted. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 200,500.
I was in a 2006 Toyota Prius car accident on the freeway when the steering wheel started jerking (to the point of no control), the brakes stopped working and the car kept accelerating. Car lost control. Car was totaled, two witnesses and a police report. I was sent the emergency room. No responsibility was assumed by Toyota, which completed their "inspection" on March 9th, 2012. Then eight months later on November 14, 2012 they come out with two recalls: a steering recall & an engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system recall, probably as part of what they saw happened to me. I was never notified after about these recalls that my car potentially could've been defective from and part of.
Baught the car off a private sale. Car is a complete bad condition fron the suspension tonthe motor makes strange noises air conditioner wont work tires fall from allighments seat beats are off burning a pil change in less then a week.no accidents no changes as is and have been using it for work.
Driving in good weather on a local road and car skid light went on and wheels locked to the right. Steering was not responsive. The lack of steering caused the accident. However, the airbags did not deploy.
1) steering wheel/shaft appears to be improperly supported; feels loose when turning lock to lock since new. Have brought to the attention of four (4) Toyota dealers when service performed (have taken to Toyota for all service work since new), all have advised that there is "nothing wrong" with the vehicle. It is the only vehicle we have ever owned that has this sense of disconnect and potential for a much more serious issue were there ever a steering failure. 2) over rough roads (when vehicle was driven in seattle and bellevue, wa) when stopping, the ABS system seems to activate prematurely and increase stopping distances. We have other vehicles with ABS brakes which do not activate so readily and stop so slowly. As it relates to incident date(s): since new, vehicle purchased November 2005.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while reversing at 5 MPH, the power steering assist failed and the steering wheel could not be moved in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the spiral cable, steering shaft, the connecting yoke, and the steering column shaft extension needed to be replaced. There was a recall for the steering failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 06V188000: (steering: electric power assist system) however, the vehicle was repaired by the contact. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who filed a complaint and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 10/19/12 updated 10/23/2012 updated 11/19/12 updated 11/20/2012
Tl contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel suddenly jerked out of his hands and turned sharply to the left. The contact could not maintain control of the vehicle and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The failure has occurred twice since last year. The dealer stated that the steering computer controls the electric power steering system. The computer was sending the wrong or false signals. The dealer is currently repairing the vehicle. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 2/17/09 the dealer replaced the torque sensors.updated 02/19/09.
I was driving at about 65 m/hr on I-95 and noticed my car veering first to the left then to the right. I was puzzled by this and looked over to notice that trees were not moving, I.e., it did not feel windy outside. This was a very peculiar incident that has happened to my car about 3-4 times in the past 3 years. I later heard on the news the recall of corollas for the same type of issue. They actually showed a test model simulation and it looked exactly like what I have been experiencing. I don't know if this is my imagination but it certainly did not feel that way when the incident occurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while approaching an exit from the highway at 30 MPH the steering wheel could not be turned to the right or left; however, the failure only occurred for a brief moment. The steering wheel began to function normally within a few minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a diagnostic test that was unable to locate a failure code. The dealer also test drove the vehicle but the failure did not recur. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 75,000.
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 2006 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Toyota Prius, 2% of the model year's 1,439 complaints. The component named most often is linkages (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 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 2006 Toyota Prius steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 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.