NHTSA Complaint #10549381 — 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN EVEN THOUGH FORCE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY AND HE ADDED ADDITIONAL FLUID. THE CONTACT RESUMED WITH THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION AND THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.