Toyota recall: Steering
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
What could happen
Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Vehicles covered
- Toyota Prius 2004–2009
Facts
- NHTSA recall number
- 12V537000
- Type
- Vehicle
- Filed by
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Reported to NHTSA
- Nov 14, 2012
- Owners notified
- Dec 20, 2012
- Vehicles or items affected
- 669,705
- Started by
- The manufacturer
- Built
- Aug 5, 2003 to Mar 30, 2009
- Part
- Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector; Steering
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other recalls for the same vehicles
- Toyota recall: Electrical system Jan 28, 2026
- Lexus / Subaru / Toyota recall: Back over prevention Oct 30, 2025
- Toyota recall: Equipment Jul 23, 2024
- Toyota recall: Electrical system Apr 17, 2024
- Toyota recall: Hybrid propulsion system Sep 22, 2021
- Toyota recall: Hybrid propulsion system Jun 24, 2020
To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.