Toyota is recalling 106,000 earlier Prius models worldwide due to power steering problems.
Toyota has announced the recall of more than 100,000 of its Prius hybrids due to problems with electric power steering equipment.
Approximately half of the vehicles impacted by the service action, 52,000 in all, were sold in the United States. The rest were marketed in Japan and other parts of the world, the maker said.
The recall involves only early-model Prius hybrids, those sold during the 2001 through 2003 model-years. A second Toyota recall was also announced involving a handful of late-model crossovers and minivans.
With the Prius recall, the maker said that, “If the steering wheel is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full-lock position, there is a possibility the nuts securing the pinion shaft in the steering gear box assembly may become loose. If the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, over time, the customer will gradually notice significant increased steering effort when making a left turn.”
Prius is the world’s best-selling hybrid, and the number-one gas-electric model in the U.S. market, as well. It has generally scored well in quality and reliability surveys but has experienced a few nagging problems, notably including issues with headlight failures. Toyota also announced a major recall months after introducing the redesigned 2010 fourth-generation model due to brake problems.
That recall came at the start of a more than year-long problem with safety-related issues that saw top Toyota officials, including CEO Akio Toyoda, called on the carpet by Congress.
The number of Toyota safety-related recalls has declined sharply in recent months.
But along with the latest Prius problem Toyota is also recalling 34 Venza AWD vehicles and another 16 Sienna AWD minivans due to a potential problem with faulty heat-treating that could cause the front right driveshaft to break.
Toyota will notify customers about the latest recalls and dealer will inspect vehicles and make repairs as necessary.