TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota Prius steering problems
severe 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
4injuries
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of Toyota Prius we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 39.
Owners have filed 39 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The vehicle will not start or ready-on and the steering wheel lock is engaged so that the steering wheel may only be turned very little from side-to-side.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a persistent steering defect in the 2005 Prius: the intermediate shaft splines wear or fail, causing the steering wheel to spin freely with no effect on the wheels. This catastrophic loss of control has occurred at speeds ranging from parking-lot crawl to highway cruise. Multiple owners report clunking noises, wobbling, or a snapping sound seconds before complete failure. One owner lost steering 2 miles into a highway drive; another mid-turn at 15 mph; a third while parallel parking at low speed—the unpredictability is the real hazard.
The recall (60C in 2007, later 12V-537) was supposed to fix this by replacing the intermediate shaft. But owners report the recall didn't stick: the same shaft has failed again after being "repaired" under recall, sometimes at higher mileage. Toyota has declined responsibility on out-of-warranty claims, even when the failure followed a failed recall. One owner was quoted $3,000 for replacement; others paid $371 to $798. Parts availability delayed recall work in at least one case, leaving owners to drive with known defects.
Additional steering failures reported include steering column bolts left loose after recall service, steering wheel separation from the column, cracked or separated tie rods, and steering wheel clock spring corrosion that threatens airbag function. Owners consistently describe this as a safety issue that should have been fully resolved by now.
Same Toyota Prius steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Steering intermediate shaft spline wear and failure
Upper and lower steering intermediate shaft splines wear, deteriorate, or fail to remain properly installed on the power steering column output spline. This causes complete loss of steering control—the steering wheel spins freely with no effect on the wheels. Owners report metallurgical failure and deterioration of interior spline metal, sometimes preceded by wobble or clunking noises from the steering column. One owner found the shaft had not been properly installed on the spline output.
When: 27,773 to 200,000 miles; one failure occurred 2 miles after departing; one at 82,500 miles in collision; failures reported from 2010 through 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel spins freely with no response from wheels; Clunking or crashing noises from steering column; Steering wheel wobble at highway speed; Steering wheel suddenly becomes loose; Snapping sound from steering column before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of steering intermediate shaft kit (part 04005-72147), steering cable sub-assembly spline (part 84306-0E010), and steering shaft assembly (part 45260-47052). Costs range from $371 to $798.22 for parts and labor. Alignment work performed in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 60C (2007) performed to inspect/replace steering intermediate shaft and components. Recall 12V-537 addressed this issue, but multiple owners report the recall repair did not fully resolve the problem. Some owners had the intermediate shaft replaced under recall yet experienced failure again. Toyota stated in one case they could not provide information about incidents of this type on other Priuses. In another case, Toyota offered 50% repair coverage out of warranty. One dealer did not perform recall work due to unavailable parts or customer-modified hand controls.
Steering column upper intermediate shaft decoupling from power steering column
The upper steering intermediate shaft decouples from the electric power-assist column output spline due to improper installation or metallurgical failure of the spline. This results in catastrophic loss of steering ability, often accompanied by cruise control malfunction and multiple warning lights.
When: Around 27,000 to 116,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes loose and unresponsive to steering input; Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate (SRS, brake, ABS, VSC, cruise control malfunction); Cruise control will not deactivate or will not engage; Vehicle drifts off course with slight release of steering; Loss of power steering with stiff brake pedal vibration
Repairs/costs cited: Third-party automotive systems analysis and independent mechanic inspections identified the decoupling. One owner reported a dealer quoted $2,000 for the part and $1,000 in labor with no guarantee of fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Help line assigned case numbers and was contacted by owners. No specific warranty extension or manufacturer repair program mentioned in narratives; one case indicated out-of-warranty status after 36,000 miles.
Steering wheel separation from steering column
The steering wheel separates from the steering column, causing complete loss of steering ability. This may occur as a result of underlying shaft or connector failure.
When: 103,000 miles and other instances at low to moderate speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping noise while driving; Steering wheel tilted or separated; Anti-skid and anti-lock braking system warning indicators illuminate; Complete loss of steering ability when attempting to merge
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed repair; specific parts not detailed in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated the failure was unrelated to recall 12V537000. Manufacturer was notified.
Steering shaft bolts not properly tightened after recall service
After steering intermediate shaft recall service, bolts securing the steering shaft were not properly tightened, causing rattling noise and vibration. Owner discovered this when attempting to replace the intermediate shaft himself and found the bolts were loose, not the shaft itself failed.
When: At 20,000 miles; problem persisted until 200,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal rattling noise from steering shaft; Steering vibration
Repairs/costs cited: Owner purchased new intermediate shaft but found upon inspection that tightening the bolts resolved the issue; bolts required re-tightening.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer both advised of the failed recall repair. Vehicle was repaired.
Steering wheel clock spring corrosion and failure
Flex cables inside the steering wheel clock spring mechanism corrode and fail. Corrosion impacts multiple electrical lines, including lines for airbag function. As interior lines fail, the airbag electrical line becomes at risk of corrosion-induced failure.
When: 109,000 to 119,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of functionality for steering wheel-mounted buttons; SRS (airbag) warning light illumination; Visible corrosion on flex cable lines inside clock spring
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of steering wheel spiral cable (clock spring); cost not specified. Owner inspected failed unit and identified four corroded lines, three of which had already failed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted in one case regarding SRS warning light. Vehicle was repaired.
Steering tie rod separation or failure
Steering tie rod comes off or cracks during normal driving or low-speed maneuvers. In one case, the tie rod separated completely without thread damage, suggesting a defect in fastening or design.
When: At shopping mall removal (low speed); one case at 75 mph resulted in rollover
Symptoms owners cite: Tie rod separates completely or becomes cracked; Loss of steering control; Vehicle pulls or drifts uncontrollably
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod replacement required; owner retained failed tie rod as evidence showing no thread damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota disputed causation in rollover case, stating tie rod loss would not prevent control. No recall or service campaign mentioned.
Steering instability and loss of control on sudden maneuvers
Vehicles lose control when drivers make sudden steering inputs or encounter road disturbances, resulting in fishtailing, skidding, and uncontrolled spinning. This may be related to steering geometry, suspension, or electronic stability control algorithms that fail to properly correct vehicle trajectory.
When: Various speeds from low-speed parking to 75 mph highway
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fishtails uncontrollably when swerving; Loss of control on gravel or unstable surfaces; Vehicle spins 180 degrees or rolls multiple times; Vehicle drifts in unintended direction
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs cited for this issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented for steering instability complaints.
Steering column rattling and loose bolts
Steering column produces rattling, clanking, or crunching noises due to loose bolts or internal defects in the shaft assembly. Loose fasteners in the steering column can be a precursor to or symptom of assembly defect.
When: Various mileages; one case at 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clanking or crunching sound when turning left or right; Rattling noise from steering column; Steering wheel movement when engine is off and car is stationary
Repairs/costs cited: Steering shaft assembly replacement (part 45260-47052) cost $371 parts and labor in one case. Loose bolt tightening resolved another case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner not notified of any recall for this issue; Toyota repair charge of $200+ at dealer for loose bolt tightening.
Steering wheel hard to control or sticky steering during turns
Steering exhibits excessive stiffness, jerky behavior, or sticky feel during turning at any speed. Some owners report the steering wheel is difficult to turn, and in one case, acceleration lags while turning.
When: Reported since purchase and throughout vehicle ownership; 193,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel feels loose or unstable at any speed; Sticky or jerky feeling when turning; Hard steering that requires excessive force to turn; Vehicle unstable with loose steering feel
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented for most cases; one case involved loose screws in steering column (charged $200+ at dealer).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer indicated no recall applies; one dealer charged $200 for tightening loose screws, not covered by 100,000-mile warranty.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Toyota Prius?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 Toyota Prius?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 31 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 44,000 and 113,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,000; a quarter make it past 113,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/Prius.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.