Toyota recalls are active on more than 110,000 current production Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and Rav4 vehicles because the power steering can fail. The electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this can result in failure of the electric power steering system. Vehicles manufactured in Canada and the United States last fall are affected.
In the required NHTSA safety defect filing, Toyota said a dealer report was received for an electric power steering failure on a 2015 model Camry. Toyota investigated the vehicle, along with an additional vehicle with an electric power steering failure, and recovered the electric power steering column assemblies for analysis by NSK, the steering column supplier.
A resistor on the EPS ECU circuit board may have been damaged during manufacturing. If the damage in the resistor advances during driving, the ECU could detect abnormal current in the circuit the system enters the fail-safe mode immediately, suspending power steering assist. In the event of loss of power steering assist, the steering system will revert to manual steering mode and steering control can be maintained at all times.
“However, suspension of power steering assist results in increased steering effort at low vehicle speeds and increases the risk of a crash,” Toyota said.
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 as is required by U.S. safety regulations. The recall is expected to begin in April 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
