Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% | 26,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% | 1,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% | 21,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% | 24,000 miles |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% | 117,000 miles |
| 2010 | 30 | 1% | 32,000 miles |
| 2009 | 13 | 3% | 68,000 miles |
| 2008 | 18 | 1% | 57,000 miles |
| 2007 | 33 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% | 82,000 miles |
| 2005 | 39 | 4% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 2% | 135,000 miles |
| 2003 | 39 | 39% | 85,000 miles |
| 2002 | 80 | 48% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 45 | 27% | 68,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owned a 2017 Toyota Prius. While driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the contact lost control. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a store. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to edmark Toyota (located at 15933 n idaho center blvd, nampa, id 83687, [phone]) where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 2,300. The VIN was not available.
Toyota Prius prime 2017 lane departure warning with steering assist. This steering assist function does not work as it does in any other Toyota model. I have spoken with Toyota engineering and met with a Toyota technical representative and they admit that the steering assist function does not work as it does in any other Toyota model. As you will see from my attached document this function really doesn't work at all. I am not sure if this is a regulated safety feature or not but it was suggested by a Toyota employee that I make the NHTSA aware of this failure as it could be a safety concern that should be looked at. I have driven at least 5 Prius prime advanced and all have this problem in that the steering assist function does not work in any of them even though it is advertised and sold to the consumer as a integral part of the Toyota safety suite that is on all Toyota vehicles. …
A brand new:2015 only driven for two days, went out of control after completing right turn. Driver stopped at red light. Turned right while accelerating with full control of vehicle. Completed right turn while accelerating to attain highway speed in 45 MPH zone. Upon completion of turn driver turned steering wheel less than 2 inches to drivers right to continue bearing on strait course down highway. Immediately thereafter steering wheel shuddered, and steering wheel rotated hard to the right for what seemed like a 110 plus degree rotation. The Prius out of control veered sharply to the right and smashed into curb. Driver injured back, hand, and foot. ...updated 03-11-15
I was inching into a grocery store parking spot in my new, perfectly maintained 2015 Toyota Prius when I experienced unintended acceleration. My vehicle shot forward and in a second had crashed over a cement curb, through a flower bed, and was stopped - despite my desperately jamming the brake - only by smashing into a brick wall. The suspension and steering on the car is now severely damaged, and the car cannot be driven. I am horrified: I could have been seriously injured and worse, hit/hurt another person (or at the very least severely damaged property). What if I had chosen a parking spot in front of a group of children?!! They cloud have been killed! The car is now at a Toyota service center waiting for Toyota corporate to "decide" if a car accelerating into a brick wall of its accord is a "design flaw" that it will pay to fix. …
Lost steering on car while driving. Shop noted right control arm completely corroded through and broken axle. Entire undercarriage rusted and corroded. Available for inspection. Sudden loss of steering is a risk factor for serious injury or death. Problem has been looked at by two independent service centers who have agreed on problem. Has not been inspected by manufacturer, whom I have contacted over 8 times regarding this issue, or by any other party. There were no warning signs or symptoms prior to failure.
I was dropping my daughter off at school and the car completely shut down on me and turned off in the middle of an intersection. I have just had brakes and oil changed but ever since I got the car codes keep popping up and when checked it's all good. Front lights keep glitching and even with new brakes there is still a bad sound. My dash computer thing keeps going in and out. It happens a lot more when it rains and makes a sizzling sound I'm afraid to drive it in the rain. I'm besides myself how the car turned off on me and my child we couldn't move I could accelerate and we almost got hit then another light came on and I couldn't even turn my wheel. Very dangerous
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that after several days of torrential rainfall, the contact noticed there was water in the tire and 12-volt battery compartment. After having a routine oil change at an independent mechanic, while the contact was driving, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light illuminated after the failure. The driver was able to restart the vehicle and pull over to the side of the road. The contact called Roadside Assistance and was informed that there was a code for the hybrid battery system that needed to be checked. The contact noticed that water might have entered through the rear passenger's side brake light. The contact removed the water with a sump pump. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to assist. …
My Toyota Prius was involved in a hit run accident. Yark collision completed work on vehicle. When picking up car from yark my car would not start spoke with one of the mechanic he said my battery died and I explained to them I had no issues ,prior to bringing my car to yark I had just had diagnostic test done at Toyota. Vehicle sat at my residence over night and vehicle had died again. I contacted yark told them I was bringing battery in for them to charge because I was not sure as to what was going on since we had already replaced battery. Vehicle also had my skid plate in trunk prior to drop off and now I am having electrical issues my horn now does not work and I have children .I did not receive my car until 1 month and half due to insurance not getting back to us . Vehicle has been non drivable since pick up.
Related recalls (4)
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
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2003 prius passenger cars manufactured from January 28, 2000, through May 30, 2003. The steering linkage May loosen, resulting in reduced electric steering assistance when making a left turn.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace the nuts in the steering linkage free of charge. The safety recall began on July 8, 2011. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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.
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Insufficient electrical contact can occur in the torque sensor that controls the power assist operation of the electric power steering gear box. The torque sensor could send improper electrical signals.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the electric steering gear box.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Prius years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (80), 2001 (45), 2003 (39), 2005 (39) and 2007 (33) model years. Steering complaints make up 48% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Toyota Prius steering problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 12V-537 (shaft sector, Nov 14, 2012); 11V-304 (electric power assist system, Jun 1, 2011); 06V-188 (electric power assist system, May 31, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Prius steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (18 mentions), followed by the electric power assist system (18).
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.