This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the power steering seized without any warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that steering shaft joint flex coupling had malfunctioned. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
I was traveling to northwest Arkansas on I 540 rounding left a curve and my steering did not respond until turning it a half of a turn more on the steering wheel. The steering wheel did not return to center. I found a document on the NHTSA ODI action number PE99-070 indicating others have had this similar problem. I almost went off the side of a mountain. I took it to a Firestone shop and the replaced lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends and said it was "tight". I explained that I was very concerned about returning through the mountains and asked for a thorough check. They said it was as good as new and should not have any other problems. The first major left turn on the way home had the same results. I took it to Firestone in my hometown and they said the rack and pinion bushings were defective and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced costing me $900. I am very concerned for the safety of this vehicle and if I had not been the only one on the road would most certainly have caused an accident. I would like the investigation to be re-opened.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA