NHTSA Complaint #10300253 — 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS

TLA*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITH EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING MECHANISM CHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER FORCED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AS A RESULT OF THE WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME TO NORMAL OPERATION. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE SHAKING WOULD STOP WHEN THE WHEEL WAS STRAIGHTENED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER CHIP. UPDATED 07/19/10*JB