NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 00V285000
Component: STEERING:POWER:GEAR BOX
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1772
Year: 2001
Make: TOYOTA
Model: PRIUS
Manufactured From: MAY 2000 To: JUL 2000
Year of Recall: '00
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. Insufficient electrical contact can occur in the torque sensor which controls the power assist operation of the electric power steering gear box. The torque sensor could output improper electrical signals.
The power steering warning icon will be displayed on the center panel, and the driver could experience higher than normal steering effort depending upon vehicle speed.
Dealers will repair the electric steering gear box. Owner notification is expected to begin during October 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
FROM TOYOTA'S WEBSITE:
Approximately 1,750 Prius vehicles produced between May 9th and July 21, 2000 may be affected by a special service campaign. Of this total,less than 450 have been delivered to customers, with the remainder in Toyota's company and dealer service.
The Toyota Prius uses a sophisticated electronic assist power steering system. There is a possibility that the torque sensors built into the power steering gear assembly may not function properly, causing an error in the signal transmitted to the steering electronic control unit (ECU). Should this error occur, vehicle control will be maintained, but steering effort will increase. Papers were filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)Thursday, September 21st to initiate a Special Service Campaign (SSC). Written SSC owner notifications addressing this issue will be mailed in late-October.
POST FROM A GROUP MEMBER:
A fast and easy way to find out about the steering repair issue,
is to call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. I provided the VIN
from my Prius, and they found my vehicle is ok, no recall for the
steering component is necessary.Great news!
NOTE FROM MODERATOR (AND RECALL VICTIM)
There is a plate visible on opening driver's door which states Month of manufacture, and sequence number within the month. If car was made before 5/00 or after 7/00, it should NOT be subject to this recall.
(Cut & Pasted by Eric Metzler, 10/22/00, update 11/4/00)
|
