NHTSA Complaint #11564671 — 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY

This 2016 Toyota Camry LE developed a steering problem. Initially, the steering pulled mildly to the left when the car was cold. This resolved after 5 minutes of driving. My mechanic could find no problem with the steering. Eventually (2 weeks) the steering would additionally intermittently pull moderately to the right. This was not reproducible. If I did not hold the wheel firmly, the car would turn off the road or across the lane to the right. Within one week the car would became difficult to start. Two days later the battery failed completely. Replacing the battery totally corrected the steering problems. I conclude that the failing battery could not adequately power the electric motors in the power steering. This was the first sign of a failing battery. I had never heard of this before. There was no warning light. I believe that such an unusual sign of a failing battery should be publicized as an important warning for all cars with electrically controlled power steering.