NHTSA Complaint #10265558 — 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS

I WAS BACKING UP FROM A PARKED POSITION, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO PROCEED FORWARD AND HEARD AND FELT A CRUNCH. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND HAD TO STOP BEFORE HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT GOING IN THE DIRECTION I STEERED. I SOON REALIZED THAT I HAD LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL. I HAD IT TOWED AND MY LOCAL MECHANIC EVALUATED THE STEERING COLUMN AND FOUND WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY DEFECT. THINKING THAT MY CAR MAY NOT BE THE ONLY ONE AFFECTED I MADE SOME CALLS AND RESEARCHED THE INTERNET. I FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAD A RECALL PUBLISHED 6/2006 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. I AM THE 3RD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT IT FROM A REPUTABLE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WITH THE LOGO "CERTIFIED USED" ON THE SALES RECEIPT. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AFTER THE RECALL NOTICE HAD BEEN PUBLISHED. IT APPEARS THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT CHECK FOR RECALLS BEFORE "CERTIFYING" THIS VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC EVENT AT HIGH SPEEDS FOR ME, MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE DRIVING BY ME AT THE WRONG TIME. I WILL SUBMIT A SECOND COMPLAINT IF THE DEALERSHIP AND/OR TOYOTA DOES NOT HANDLE THIS APPROPRIATELY. *TR