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Electric power steering issue
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bigst79
Novice
Feb 16, 2023, 7:04 PM
Post #1 of 15
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Electric power steering issue
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Toyota highlander 2015 LE
92k miles
Hello,
Steering Wheel makes a whining noise while turning wheel, mostly low speed or at a stop. Didnt seem to affect perfornance. I dont normally go to dealer but I thought they may have a better understanding of what was wrong so I took it to toyota dealer. They said they must replace steering column and within 3 days I had my car back and cost me $1,351. Left the lot, sounded fine, then in 1 day the noise came back. Brought it back in and told them I dont have the $ to keep replacing unnecessary parts. Guy was understanding and gave me a loaner. That was one week ago today and I havent heard a single word. I havent called because I do not want to rush them if they are genuinely trying to properly repair my car. So I'm here to see if anyone knows if this is unusual to keep my car this long and not give me an update. Any advise on how to proceed? And am I stuck with this $1350 steering column repair bill since it didnt fix the problem?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 16, 2023, 8:29 PM
Post #2 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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You need to call them and remind them that there is a factory campaign to replace defective steering motors so you should not have been charged for it.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000
COMPONENT(S): Steering
POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 110,085
ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL:
VEHICLE MAKE MODEL MODEL YEAR(S) Toyota Camry 2015 Toyota Highlander 2015 Toyota RAV4 2014-2015
DETAILs:
8 Associated Documents
MANUFACTURER: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
SUMMARY:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
CONSEQUENCE:
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in April 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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bigst79
Novice
Feb 16, 2023, 9:46 PM
Post #3 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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I did see that recall but when I typed in my VIN into the NHTSA app (I did this before I brought it in), my vehicle did not come up with an active recall. So I assumed my vehicle was not a part of it. But I will call them and try to use this recall to my advantage. It does seem like an odd coincidence. Thanks
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 17, 2023, 12:33 AM
Post #4 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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Fantastic Hammer: OP plain call till you get to a person. Have all documents on the thing and check that the VIN #s match paperwork.
"DEALER?" IDK but to be a dealer of this new meant (used to) you will tend to things like this if it costs you (meaning them) not customer.
Get to the person or department for your $$ back.
Please come back here when this is solved and say how it went which may take time IDK but think the part replaced may have the same defect needs to be known it's not just a unused old one with the defect.
Good luck the real phone call will almost kill you but do it,
Tom
(edited to fix typo LED light I make tons of them)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 17, 2023, 12:36 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 17, 2023, 4:51 AM
Post #5 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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Yes, it did only apply to specific production periods.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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bigst79
Novice
Feb 17, 2023, 1:30 PM
Post #6 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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UPDATE:
So i called the dealer service center and they said "their guy" and "their boss" will be in on Monday and will call me. Now they're telling me "He think's it might need a new rack" but that they will call me on Monday to discuss.
I did bring up that my car may be part of a recall from 2015 for power steering related issues, but he said they ran all of that and nothing came up for my vehicle. I guess I have to take his word?
I did not bring up getting a refund for the steering column because it didn't sound like the guy on the phone would be able to make that call. I will handle that Monday. Is the steering column directly related to the steering rack? Can you replace one without the other? The noise seems to be coming front inside the cabin, where the steering wheel attaches to the column.
(This post was edited by bigst79 on Feb 17, 2023, 1:33 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 17, 2023, 1:43 PM
Post #7 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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Yes, they are separate parts connected together.
The steering column is the part you steer from on the inside of the car that contains the electric steering motor and the Rack and Pinion is the part under the car that takes the commands from the steering column and connects to the wheels.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 17, 2023, 1:51 PM
Post #8 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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No - Call Toyota at the # in post #2 by Hammer Time.
Now they want to do the rack? IDK not covered usually if REALLY AN ISSUE AT ALL. Second opinion for that not the dealer is my suggestion.
Dealer's hate warranty work the company set the labor rate and no markup on the part(s) as covered recall or warranty.
Exception is YOU or a prior owner had some accident, mishap or some good reason for abuse of this thing.
Copy just what Hammer posted not all the rest here if you can't by device find or send this thread to a friend who can.
Again - deal with Toyota if OMG it was bought used and already done you'll know it then.
They (that dealer) doesn't want low pay work (worked at one) gave that to the new tech (ME!) the flat raters should be the labor allowed don't want that crap.
PHONE CALL - TOYOTA you'll be recorded and get a confirmation # that you did like other things.
Getting $$ back now will take them or it sounds like it??
Note: I'm not there looking at it myself nor checking things in person for the rack now hope you just ask for a quick look from a real shop that will put it in writing. I really hate to distrust anyone but this time sounds fishy! Tom
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bigst79
Novice
Feb 17, 2023, 9:44 PM
Post #9 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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Thanks for the illustration/explanation Hammer.
Tom I will try calling the phone number for Toyota on Monday that was given on post #2.
I have been the only owner of the vehicle. I haven't had any accidents.
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bigst79
Novice
Feb 22, 2023, 7:45 AM
Post #10 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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Hey guys,
So I finally got a call back. They said their "shop foreman" came in who they explained comes in when there's a larger issue. In a nut shell, he said that the rack and pin has "too much play" and that it's causing the noise. They're telling me they think it's drivable as is, but that it may only have a few weeks left (but I don't know what would happen in a few weeks). In addition to the $1,351 i already spent, they want another $3,280. So about $4,630 when all is said and done, and that it would take about two weeks. They want to know today.
I did ask why I have to pay $1,351 for the steering column when it's an independent piece from the rack. He was talking me in circles about how it needed to be done to figure out the rack and pin problem. But he said the $3,280 for the rack and pin was discounted by the manager by $1000 already considering the length of the repair and such.
Thoughts? Take the car back and live with the noise? Call Toyota corporate? Leave it to get repaired and take the hit?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 22, 2023, 7:54 AM
Post #11 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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You've got nothing to lose by calling corporate office and pleading your case. You might get some help.
If that doesn't work another option is to just find a COMPETENT independent shop that can do the job much cheaper.
To tell you the truth, I have never heard of a Rack that has too much play causing a noise but that is the only piece of the steering system not already replaced.
I don't believe there is any rush here. Ignore that 2 week stuff they gave you. That was just a scare tactic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Feb 22, 2023, 7:55 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 22, 2023, 8:02 AM
Post #12 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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What a mess w risk of danger?
YOU can see (most vehicles) by turning key so it's unlocked, hood open turn the last bar of column watch the turns look for slight wheel movement. A helper. You'd also feel the free-play but only pointing straight ahead.
Said more than once call Toyota. This is endless costly may be justified, defective or really need this stuff?
Toyota cooperate handlers of recalls this new stuff 2nd opinion watch as they show you what and why this has gone dumb IMO,
Tom
(edit) I've never seen one fail to lose all steering just chance, Anything that goes to R&P, a small u-joint or other I thought was done with column job??
Rack should wear the pinion or how it's held in place - bushing, or bearing there. Might be a brass/bronze IDK. It would have play if you turn fully not to the stops then check it/systems always did that.
That makes up for wheels to be independent during tight turns ON PURPOSE + you can't be driving fast steering that far.
Shop is ticking me off IDK how about you but why are you still dealing with them -ANOTHER SHOP CERTIFIED IN FRONT END even then - show you and say WHY? ************
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 22, 2023, 8:49 AM)
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bigst79
Novice
Feb 22, 2023, 9:02 AM
Post #13 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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Thanks for the timely replies guys.
So I called corporate and gave the guy all the info we've discussed. So the toyota rep called toyota dealership while i was on hold and the manager and service rep were unavailable at the time. So toyota rep states he'll call me when he hears back. 15 mins later the Dealership calls me and says "You called?" So i explain why i called toyota coporate. Dealer says they have finance options if I need help, etc. He says they would put the car up on a rack and explain to me what's going on.
So I ask, if I get the rack and pin replaced, is this it? Does that fix the problem? And he says, they won't know. That if this doesn't work, they would have to replace the steering column. I said, didn't you already do that? They said no, that was the steering shaft. He said if they replaced the rack and pin and it didn't work they would have to go further and replace the column. I said forget it, give me my car back. So tomorrow I'm picking up my car and I'll try to find a reputable local shop and see about a rental.
What a bummer.
Thanks for helping out. Tom the reason I am still dealing with them is because they weren't asking for their loaner car back, and I'm a visiting nurse, i need a car to do my job, so it was convenient. But now I have to take it to another shop and figure out what I'm going to do about a temporary replacement vehicle, but I believe my job has something to offer with respect to that.
I will try to find a shop that specializes in Front End as you suggested. I'll check back to see if you guys posted any further recommendations. Thanks again.
I'll also continue to keep you guys posted on how this plays out.
(This post was edited by bigst79 on Feb 22, 2023, 9:04 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 22, 2023, 9:39 AM
Post #14 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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That's ridiculous!
I understood that you had already replaced the whole steering column. Now I'm confident that the rack has nothing to do with your noise. Racks wear over time and it's a slow process. Usually the wear is at the inner and outer tie rod ends which are replaceable separately.
They don't seem to know what they are doing and they are just throwing parts at it. It sounds like the district office just told the dealer to call you back and they are just trying to resell their bogus diagnosis.
Don't give them any more money but don't give up on the zone office. They will have to deal with it. I would be asking for a refund for the unnecessary work already done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 22, 2023, 9:46 AM
Post #15 of 15
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Re: Electric power steering issue
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bigst: Places that do alignments, also those who sell lots of tires unless stupid have a qualified tech for this crap.
Sounds like you lost it with Corporate? Even they jump hoops to re-imburse you.
I'm saying things again - let next shop show you just what and why it does or doesn't need XYZ done.
Also - I loaned cars too only select folks N/C it left full please return it full - that's all, Tom
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