Toyota Recalls 106,000 Prius Hybrids Worldwide

Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday it will recall 105,784 of the 2001 through 2003 Prius hybrids around the world, 52,000 units being sold in the U.S., to fix a fault with the model's steering and gearbox.

Toyota says that if the steering wheel is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full-lock position, there is a possibility the nuts securing the pinion shaft in the steering gear box assembly may become loose.

If the Prius is continuously operated in this condition, over time, the customer will gradually notice significant increased steering effort when making a left turn.

Toyota dealers will install “new and improved” nuts that secure the pinion shaft at no charge to the vehicle owner.

The repair will take approximately 4 hours depending upon the dealer's work schedule. Owner notification letters by first class mail will begin in early July, 2011.

The separate recall – unrelated to the Prius recall – involves 34 Venza AWD and 16 Sienna AWD vehicles to replace an insufficiently heat treated front right-hand driveshaft.  All of these vehicles are recently produced 2011 model year.  Only 38 are expected to have an insufficiently heat-treated driveshaft.

Due to insufficient heat treatment, there is a possibility that the front right-hand driveshaft may break.  If this occurs, engine power will not be transmitted to the wheels and the vehicle will coast to a stop.

Owner notification letters by first class mail will begin in mid June, 2011.