NHTSA Complaint #10451382 — 2008 SCION XB

STEERING PROBLEM ON THE 2008 TOYOTA SCION XB WE BOUGHT A 2008 SCION XB THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING FINE UNTIL THIS SCARY PROBLEM TOOK PLACE. WE CANNOT EXPLAIN HOW PROBLEMATIC THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CAN BE. WE ARE FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE SAFETY IS OUR MAIN CONCERN AND THE STEERING PROBLEM IS LIFE THREATENING. AS WE STARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. IMMEDIATELY WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. WE SPOKE WITH THEIR SERVICE MANAGER AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT UNKNOWN AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. WE ASKED FOR A PRICE ESTIMATE AND HE SAID THAT WITHOUT WARRANTY IT WILL BE PROXIMATELY $800.00. WE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A VERY WELL EXPERIENCE MECHANIC. HE CONFIRMED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN DIRECTLY TO DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IMAGINE SUCH PROBLEM TAKEN PLACE WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY!!!!!! IN ALL FAIRNESS IF THEY'VE DESIGNED SOMETHING THAT'S PRONE TO FAILURE, THE ULTIMATE PRICING SHOULD CLEARLY REFLECT THAT FACT. THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE NOT ONLY FOR THE REPAIR DAMAGE BUT FOR EVERY INNOCENT LIVES THAT WERE LOST. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR