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severe 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
This could result in a loss of steering control of the vehicle.
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 ↗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.
Owners of 2006 Prius vehicles describe multiple distinct steering failures. The most severe involve complete loss of mechanical connection when intermediate steering shaft splines break apart, leaving the steering wheel turning freely without affecting the wheels. One owner's shaft failed during low-speed parking-lot practice, while another experienced uncontrolled veering at 35 mph that led to a head-on collision and broken bones. Dealers quote $1,950–$2,000 for repairs, and some vehicles have failed again after replacement.
Power steering assist malfunctions strand drivers with stiff, immovable steering wheels at low speeds. Electric control units send false signals, causing steering wheels to jerk sharply left on their own at highway speeds. Steering column hardware feels loose and disconnected from new, with four separate dealers refusing to acknowledge the problem.
A 60-mph shutdown occurred when a coolant storage pump failed and blew the main fuse, eliminating drive power, power steering, brakes, and dashboard display simultaneously. Toyota acknowledged this as a known fault but did not expand the recall to cover it.
Intermittent episodes leave steering unresponsive for seconds to minutes on wet roads, and some vehicles drift left-right across lanes without driver input. One clock spring failure raised concerns about airbag deployment failure during a crash.
Same Toyota Prius steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
The intermediate steering shaft splines fail completely, severing the mechanical connection between steering wheel and wheels. Upper steering components turn without affecting lower steering linkage. Multiple owners report complete loss of steering control at low speed, particularly when steering wheel is turned to end of travel. One owner experienced sudden uncontrolled veering at highway speed (35 mph) resulting in head-on collision and serious injury.
When: Reported between 77,000 and 200,500 miles; some during parking-lot maneuvers, others at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns freely without affecting front wheels; Complete loss of steering control or response; Steering wheel cannot be moved left or right; Uncontrolled veering to left then right with no driver input; Grinding noise and vibration from steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimates $1,950–$2,000+ for steering motor assembly, steering shaft, spiral cable, connecting yoke, and steering column shaft extension replacement. Some vehicles required multiple replacements after initial repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 06V188000 covers 2004–2006 Prius electric power assist steering failure, but not all affected VINs are included in recall; owner states his VIN excluded despite matching failure description.
Power steering assist suddenly stops working or becomes extremely difficult to operate. Owners experience stiff steering response and inability to turn steering wheel in either direction, particularly during low-speed maneuvers.
When: Occurring at various mileages including 90,000 and 200,500 miles; some at low speed (5 mph reversing), others while driving at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist failure during reversing; Steering wheel very difficult to turn; Steering wheel jerks out of operator's hands; Steering wheel suddenly turns sharply to left on its own; False or incorrect steering control signals
Repairs/costs cited: Torque sensors replaced in one case. Power steering ECU (electronic control unit) replacement required in another instance (~$2,000 estimated by dealer).
Vehicle veers left and right without driver input or steers to one side on its own. Owners report the car drifts across lanes at highway speed and loss of directional control. In one case, the car veered right onto a curb, then accelerated across two lanes into oncoming traffic.
When: Reported between 77,000 and highway speeds; one incident at 35 mph, others at 60–65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Car veers to left and right at highway speed without input; Uncontrolled steering to one side repeatedly; Vehicle loses directional stability; Difficulty maintaining straight line
Steering wheel briefly becomes unresponsive or locks up momentarily, then regains function. Owners report the steering wheel cannot be turned for a few seconds to minutes, particularly at highway speeds or on slippery roads, then begins working normally.
When: Reported at 75,000 miles and 30 mph highway exit speeds; also on wet or rough road conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes unresponsive briefly; Steering wheel cannot be turned left or right momentarily; Steering function returns after a few minutes; Occurs on wet or rough road surfaces
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnostic codes found by dealers during test drives; no repairs made.
Coolant storage pump failure blows the AM-2 15-amp fuse, instantly shutting down the hybrid system, power steering, power brakes, and dashboard display while driving at highway speed. Owner describes a complete loss of all power and control.
When: Occurred at 60 mph, about 10 minutes after a 30-minute stop, on mild day (~75°F)
Symptoms owners cite: Instant loss of drive power; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes; Loss of front panel display; Vehicle stalls
Codes mentioned: AM-2 15-amp fuse blown
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant storage pump replacement (not the coolant inverter pump covered under existing recall). Toyota noted this was a 'known cause' fault.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota stated this fault was known but did not expand recall to include coolant storage pump failures, only inverter pump (NHTSA Campaign 12V536000).
Steering wheel and shaft feel improperly supported and loose, with a disconnect between driver input and vehicle response. Owners describe the car as having a sense of 'disconnect and potential for much more serious issue' when turning steering wheel lock to lock since new.
When: Since vehicle purchase (November 2005); ongoing issue affecting new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel feels loose when turning lock to lock; Sense of disconnect between steering input and vehicle response; Improper support of steering wheel and shaft
Repairs/costs cited: Four Toyota dealers advised 'nothing wrong' with vehicle despite repeated complaints.
Clock spring component in steering column fails, causing loss of steering wheel controls. Owner expresses concern that clock spring failure may also prevent airbag deployment in a crash.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel controls (right side) not functioning; Clock spring component failure
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 55,000 and 119,730 miles, with the median around 81,689. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 119,730. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.