Problems with power steering structure leads to Toyota Prius recall

A problem in the power steering system has led to a Toyota Prius recall that is for every Prius built until 2003, which includes the first to roll off the assembly line. Low quality nuts can come loose in the power steering over time, causing the vehicle to become incredibly difficult to steer.

First Prius ever made impacted in recall

A recall of the Toyota Prius hybrid was announced by Toyota Motor Company, while Toyota has dealt with many recalls in the past two years, due to power steering troubles in the car, states MSNBC. All Prius automobiles made from 1997 to 2003 is being recalled. In just Japan, there are 48,000 vehicles being affected. These were all made from 1997 to 2003. Since Toyota didn’t start selling the Prius in foreign markets until 2001, the worldwide impact is only automobiles from 2001 to 2003. There are 58,000 Prius automobiles impacted from those years outside of Japan. Of those, about 52,000 are in the United States, about 1,800 in the United Kingdom and 800 in Germany. There will be a total of about 106,000 automobiles recalled. That’s lots of cars that need fixing.

All Prius cars will be fixed for free

Due to low-quality nuts in the power steering structure, the Prius has been recalled, AutoWeek explains. The pinion shaft is connected to the steering gear box with these nuts. They can become unfastened after a while which makes it hard to turn or to steer. The loosening will occur, according to MotorTrend, as the wheel is turned to the full lock position rapidly numerous times, which is likely to happen over a car’s lifetime. Toyota will fix the cars for free by simply putting in better nuts that don’t loosen, which will take about four hours. There has been only one accident, according to USA Today, and it was minor. The first complaint of the problem was made in August of 2007, in Japan. There were 28 more grievances in Japan and one in the U.S. This brought on the issue to be dealt with.

Toyota plans go back to full production

Soon, Toyota plans to be back to full production on its vehicles. After the Japanese earthquake and tsunami earlier this year, Toyota was unable to manufacture vehicles for a while along with other auto makers in Japan. Toyota plans to recuperate faster than originally though. This is after the March 11 catastrophe occurred. Almost right away, Toyota’s Japan operations are anticipated to return to 90 percent capacity. Global operations in Thailand, China and Europe are anticipated to be at 100 percent capacity this month. The recall is something Toyota is getting done. The company wants it finished as soon as it can. Toyota is ready to stop the PR troubles from all the recalls that occurred in the last two years. There were over 14 million automobiles recalled during that time.

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Citations

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43235940/ns/business-autos/

Auto Week

autoweek.com/article/20110601/CARNEWS/110609999

MotorTrend

wot.motortrend.com/toyota-recalls-2001-2003-prius-steering-defect-82679.html

USA Today

content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/06/toyota-recalls-52000-prius-models-in-us-after-report-of-single-accident-/1?loc=interstitialskip