Toyota Corolla Steering Problems May Lead to Another Recall
Published: February 18th, 2010 • Comments: 10
A growing number of complaints over steering problems with Toyota Corolla vehicles has sparked a federal investigation, and may result in yet another Toyota recall. The troubled auto-maker has already recalled millions of vehicles in recent months over defective gas pedals, floor mats and problems with brakes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received about 150 reports from 2009 and 2010 Corolla owners who say they have encountered difficulty steering at high speeds. Last Wednesday, U.S. Department of Transportation officials said that they are planning to open an investigation into the Toyota Corolla steering problems.
The Corolla uses electric-assisted steering, which is a cheaper version of power steering that uses an electric motor to reduce the amount of torque the driver needs to exert on the steering wheel to turn the vehicle. According to federal investigators, Corolla owners have been complaining that they have had times where it suddenly became very difficult to steer the car, as though the system temporarily stopped working.
Toyota officials say that if there is a problem, it is most likely related to the braking system or tires. The company has said that they will recall the vehicle if necessary, but have not yet issued a Toyota Corolla recall.
The Corolla is the second-most popular Toyota model in the United States, with sales of 300,000 vehicles here last year. Only the Toyota Camry sold more. Federal investigators say their investigation could potentially affect 500,000 Toyota Corollas currently on the road.
The spectre of a Toyota Corolla recall comes just before officials from the Japanese automaker are scheduled to appear at a congressional hearing on February 24. The hearing will focus on Toyota acceleration problems linked to problems with gas pedals and floor mats causing vehicles to speed up out of control. The sudden acceleration has resulted in accidents throughout the United States, and at least 34 deaths have been linked to the issue.
In September 2009, a Lexus and Toyota floor mat recall was issued for 3.8 million vehicles that contained certain all-weather floor mats, which Toyota indicated could get stuck under the gas pedals, causing unintended acceleration. In January, Toyota issued another recall for 2.3 million Toyota vehicles due to a mechanical problem that was causing some gas pedals to stick.
U.S. lawmakers say they want to determine how long Toyota knew about the problem before taking action.
The Toyota accelerator pedal recalls have resulted in more than 60 Toyota lawsuits, including over a dozen wrongful death and personal injury claims.
Just this week, a $100 million Toyota wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the company in the 122nd District Court in Galveston, Texas, by the family of Kenneth and Janice Berg. The couple died on February 24, 2009 in Clear Lake City when their 2009 Toyota Camry smashed into a poll. According to the lawsuit, witnesses said it appeared the vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control.
Photo Courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielctw/ / CC BY 2.0
Comment by Gary on 18 February 2010:
“…Corolla owners have been complaining that they have had times where it suddenly became very difficult to steer the car, as though the system temporarily stopped working.”
I own a 1989 Acura Legend which exhibits a similar flaw. If I were to work steering wheel inputs from left to right repeatedly, my power steering can not keep up, effectively eliminating power assist. I suspect this flaw exists in LOTS of cars. But after 220,000 miles it’s safe to say the flaw has not prevented safe operation of my car.
Comment by Anony on 18 February 2010:
“…when their 2009 Toyota Camry smashed into a POLL.” Someone wasn’t proofreading. I think you meant to say that it “smashed into a POLE.” That is, unless the car ran into a Gallup polling venue.
Comment by Jose on 18 February 2010:
Toyota Corolla – Alternator/Steering issue.
I have a 2009 Corolla. One day as I was driving on the freeway the steering became very tough. I got off the freeway looking for a gas station thinking I needed to fill the tires with air. By the time I got to a station it was almost impossible to steer into it. I checked the tires but they were fine. Scratching my head I tried to turn the car back on. It wouldn’t start. still under the 30,000 mile warrenty it get’s towed to the dealer where they replace the battery. One month later the same thing happens. It get’s towed to the dealer again and they find out that the Alternator is shot. Why didn’t they investigate that in the first place since the car started dieing while I was driving it???
Now, everytime I come to a stop, it feels like the car is going to stall. It does a short, temporary rough idle before settling to a smooth idle. Sometimes when start driving it out of my driveway or from work there is a ticking sound on the roof of the car. Not a ticking sound like a clock, but one that sounds like small rocks hitting a thin sheet of aluminum. i think it’s time to take it back to the dealer so the rough idling and the ticking can be documented.
Comment by Paul on 18 February 2010:
I think this is all political, why dont you go investigate and report about all the other manufactuers that have recalls. This is just a ploy by Government Motors to try and boost domestic sales. You cant tell me that with all the other auto manufacturers out there that they dont have any recalls at all.
Comment by Ray on 18 February 2010:
When we bought our new Toyota Corolla last fall we thought there was something wrong with the steerin and took it back to the dealer the next day. The service manager told us there was nothing wrong with the steering and went on a drive with us and told us the electronic power steering was far superior because it would improve our gas milage because the moter did not have to drive a belt. We bought the story because I thought it sounded reasonable. The steering is unpredictable and you must be constantly on guard while driving. We want out of this deal ;but see no way to get our money back.
Comment by Christopher on 15 March 2010:
I had similar problems with my 2008 Toyota Corolla. I took it to the dealer and told them that every time I stopped at a redlight or something the car would cut off. They test drove it and told me that nothing was wrong, but it continued to do it. I tried many times to schedule a time for them to fix it as it only had 30,000 miles and I bought the additional 6 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty but they wouldn’t answer the phone ever. I was on my way to one of my College classes on a nice sunny day on Sept. 2nd 2009. when suddenly on a straight stretch that I was doing the speed limit on I suddenly couldn’t steer it and crossed the center line crashing head on with another vehicle. The other driver was allright but I suffered 2 fractured hips, I broke my back in 4 places, my left wrist was broken, I broke 3 ribs and my nose. I had my seatbelt on as always and the airbag deployed (Which broke my nose) I couldn’t figure out how I wrecked. I didn’t know what could have happened to make me wreck on a straight stretch on a sunny day doing the speed limit looking straight ahead….until I heard about the steering problems with Corollas and my car cutting off. I urge anyone who has this problem or has had this problem to first STOP driving it immediately and contact a lawyer if you,ve been ignored by Toyota.
Comment by Donna on 28 April 2010:
PLEASE HELP!! I have a 2007 Toyota Camry, and just tonight I was on the highway going to pick up my daughter going about 67 mph. My car had a sound that sounded like a soft pop, sounded like it came from the front driver side wheel. then it jerked to the left very fast! i slowed down very quickly and was able to steer the car back into my lane so I could pull over on the shoulder because it terrified me! I turned the steering wheel from the left to the right several times and heard nothing. The wheels seemes like they were turning like they should with the steering wheel. I was scared but I had to pick up my daughter. when I proceeded it steered properly at first. when I was driving I was going about 45 -47 in a 65 MPH zone because I was so scared, the car began to feel like it was swaying left to right as I accelerated and pulling to the left frequently! almost like it was over correcting its self! took it to the closest garage and the jacked the car up and seen nothing wrong in the front end and they also checked the rear end. They looked all underneath the vehicle. Nothing was broken and the bushens lookedd fine.They drove the car and said that there is something deffinatly wrong with it! I am very scared to drive my camry and I just got it back for 2 recalls that was done on the car! anyone else have this problem?? I will be at my local dealer in the morning when they open!!! I have searched the internet and I cant find a duplicated issue on the 2007 Camry’s!
Comment by Yolanda on 6 May 2010:
Purchased a 2010 Corolla on 12/26/10. (My 4th Toyota) While driving 9 miles into my drive home on the freeway @ 65 mph my car started to hydroplane/felt like driving on ice and the steering was difficult to stay in the lane. It veered L to R, I was fighting with the wheel. It was the scariest drive ever. Toyota regional say the car on 3/17/10, sd the steering was normal. On 4/4/10, Easter sunday, it was raining and windy. Hydroplaning with loss of steering and felt like my car was driving on casters in the lane. TOYOTA HAS TO DUPLICATE THIS BEFORE THEY CAN FIX IT, IF THEY CAN. ABRITRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 105 CALLS SINCE 12/26/09!!! ENOUGH!
Comment by John on 27 June 2010:
I have always been a Toyota customer since 1973 and have owned many Toyotas both new and used. I can’t remember ever having a problem with any of them. Enter 2010. I bought a new 2010 Corolla in January. When I drove it off the lot it had 9 miles on it. I was driving home on the highway and about 20 minutes into the drive my car started to veer on the road. Just as I was pulling it off to the side my right front tire blew. Fortunately we did not have an accident. I took it back to the dealer for a new tire. As the days passed I noticed that the car would not stay straight on the highway. I had to constantly correct the steering and fight for it to stay straight. I took it back to the dealer and they worked on it for a few days. Had to readjust the toe-in and other adjustments. I will admit that the drive had improved dramatically but to this day I still have a steering problem although not as bad as before. My last new Corolla was in 2008 and I had no problems at all with it. I am waiting to see if a recall is made on the steering of this vehicle because it still is not right for a new car.
Comment by scott on 12 July 2010:
my 2010 corolla steering is not right.On the highway i am always making small corrections to keep the car straight. If its windy when on the highway this car is borderline dangerous.The dealer is of no help they dont have a fix .Iowned a subaru justy that was better on the highway than this car