The days of Toyota recalls are not yet in the past after the company decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall on 52,000 2001-2003 Prius models sold in the USA.
The company wants to replace the electric power steering pinion shaft attachment nuts because if the steering wheel is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full-lock position there is a chance that the nuts securing the pinion shaft may become loose. This means that if the vehicle is continually operated in this condition, the customer may notice a significant increase in steering effort when making left turns.
Now Toyota’s dealers will install improved nuts that secure the pinion shaft at no charge – the repairs take approximately four hours with owner notification letters to be sent out in July, 2011.
In addition, Toyota will recall 34 Venza AWD and 16 Sienna AWD vehicles from the 2011 model year to replace an insufficiently heat treated front right-hand driveshaft. There is a possibility that it could break due to the lack of heating and if this occurs engine power will not be transmitted to the wheels meaning the vehicle will coast to a stop.
Owner notification letters to drivers of these vehicles will be sent from mid-June.
