Toyota: And the hits keep on coming.... now it's Corolla steering

kaisen · 02-09-2010, 01:26 PM

Are Toyota Steering Problems Next?

After addressing the issues related to floor mats, accelerator pedals and braking systems, Toyota could be under fire for a new problem: steering.

The National Highway Safety Administration is considering a more formal probe into the problems reported by owners with steering on 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla sedans. The Corolla is one of the most popular sedans in America. In December, the last full month of Corolla sales prior to Toyota's recall of accelerator pedals in January, Toyota sold 34,220 Corollas in the U.S.

NHTSA's Karen Aldana told AOL Autos this morning that the company is reviewing Corolla complaints just as they investigate problems of other makes and models.

"We are reviewing steering complaints with the Corolla to determine if a safety defect investigation is warranted, as is standard procedure with all complaints," Aldana told us in an email this morning.

Automotive News reports that the Corolla's steering problem -- which is best described a "unintended veering" -- raised 83 complaints since April of 2008. The news report said that 76 of those incidents took place over 40 mph, with the cars inadvertently veering to the right or left.

In total, ten injuries from six accidents have been reported.

In complaints filed with NHTSA, owner stories of the events ranged from mild to terrifying.

"2009 Toyota Corolla EPS (electronic power steering) causes the car to wander at speeds higher than 50 mph," wrote one Toyota Corolla driver on June 18, 2009. "This makes for very dangerous driving conditions. Toyota needs to address the issue and do a recall to fix the problem."

Another complaint drove home how frightening the issue could be.

"This was the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to me in my life as well as my grandchildren!" wrote one North Carolina resident in a complaint registered on September 11, 2009.

While Toyota has not provided an official comment on complaints, some owners who filed complaints provided their own reasoning for why the car might pull to the left or the right.

"I notice the steering wheel sometimes pulses only when my cell phone is...docked to the right of the steering wheel," wrote one Corolla driver in an official complaint on June 26, 2009. "It's strange I can sometimes tell if my Blackberry is going to ring or get an email. The steering wheel seems to shake or try to steer on its own. This is similar to my other 2009 Toyota Corolla that I resold to the dealer. I wonder if more shielding is needed to reduce any interference."

NHTSA said through a spokesperson that they will continue to monitor the complaints and will consider a formal investigation.

BlueSkyJaunte · 02-09-2010, 01:37 PM

Clearly this is just a smear campaign being mounted by Ford, GM, and Chrysler.

dd74 · 02-09-2010, 01:54 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if someone could now pick up a Lexus GS 430 dirt cheap.

legion · 02-09-2010, 02:03 PM

I'm no fan of Toyota and I believe many of the problems they have been having are a direct result of organizational deficiencies, but lets be honest. We all know how these things go, once a company is under scrutiny for a problem and it becomes a big deal, suddenly every problem is over-examined and blown out of proportion. We have Mr. Nader himself to thank for this.

BlueSkyJaunte · 02-09-2010, 02:04 PM

Of course, NHTSA has to prove that they haven't been sitting on these reports for nearly a decade.

legion · 02-09-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Of course, NHTSA has to prove that they haven't been sitting on these reports for nearly a decade.

There is evidence they sat on the "acceleration" problem for years, no?

kaisen · 02-09-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Of course, NHTSA has to prove that they haven't been sitting on these reports for nearly a decade.

In this case, it's just the electronic power steering of the new Corolla, so none of the complaints are more than months old - not years.

berettafan · 02-09-2010, 02:08 PM

this is just uncanny. gotta think it's a bit of grandstanding going on.

but on its face each of these issues seems pretty darned substantial.

of considerable concern may be Toyota's ability to sell to large purchasers like the rental car companies.

MotoSook · 02-09-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

In this case, it's just the electronic power steering of the new Corolla, so none of the complaints are more than months old - not years.

But NHTSA has to now flex it's muscle regardless in order to show it isn't just a safety consultant to the industry. If it really wants to be taken seriously, NHTSA needs to also review all the other brands. But will it do that at the risk of keeping the industry depressed?

m21sniper · 02-09-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

There is evidence they sat on the "acceleration" problem for years, no?

Yes.

lane912 · 02-09-2010, 03:06 PM

How long was fly by wire tech tested before it was used by the military then comercial airlines and dis Toyota or any of the other mfg do the same testing?

m21sniper · 02-09-2010, 03:31 PM

The USAF first used FBW on the F-16, which had a lot of crashes early on.

It earned the nickname "Lawn dart."

kaisen · 02-09-2010, 03:35 PM

Electronic power steering isn't 'steer-by-wire' just using electric motor to assist steering effort rather than the traditional hydraulic assist. By using electric it frees up about two horsepower drag on the engine. Lots of cars now use it.

BlueSkyJaunte · 02-09-2010, 03:46 PM

What the hell's wrong with rack-n-pinion steering? Especially on pipsqueak cars like the Corolla?

masraum · 02-09-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

What the hell's wrong with rack-n-pinion steering? Especially on pipsqueak cars like the Corolla?

Rack and pinion has nothing to do with whether a car has power or manual steering and if the power is belt driven or uses an electronic pump. My miata has belt driven power rack and pinion steering.

Granted, a corolla probably doesn't need power steering (my miata doesn't need it and lots of miata folks will actually depower their power steering rack.

Normy · 02-09-2010, 04:16 PM

Mr. Toyoda might start with his design department.

-What FOOL or collection of SAME is designing their cars these days? These people designed the 1982 Toyota Supra- probably one of the most beautiful cars ever. And the 1985 MR-2, another winner. And yet, this same group? I shudder to believe that it is actually AMERICANS now....who have designed the late-model Camry and Corrolla!

They MUST have been the SAME people who designed the 1993 chevy caprice and the Pontiac Aztec!

***The only thing I can come up with is that the car was designed by design groups.***

Each group designed one corner, or at least one significant part. One group designed the headlamps. Another designed the grill. Another group designed the trunk...et cetra. THEN..the beaurocracy at Japanese Toyota, a bunch of drunken "salary-men" with little connection to their primary market in the United States.....just approved a "camel", or a horse designed by a committee. I cannot believe that people [even in my neighborhood!] bought this disgusting looking car!

Toyota has lost their reputation for quality. They build cheap plastic junk now, and Hyundai's are better cars, along with Fords. Real cars come from Porsche, where they are still hand-built. The major car companies have been building to the least common denominator for years, and this is just the FIRST scandal! gm's crap is waiting in the wings, along with chrysler and Daimler.

N!

Normy · 02-09-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

Electronic power steering isn't 'steer-by-wire' just using electric motor to assist steering effort rather than the traditional hydraulic assist. By using electric it frees up about two horsepower drag on the engine. Lots of cars now use it.

It is ILLEGAL to sell a car with purely electric steering. BMW tried this a few years ago with a side-stick steered 740, and it worked very well. The problem: This is illegal in every country in the world. Automotive certification requirements state that a mechanical connection MUST exist between the steering wheel and the steering system. You can apply any sort of power you want, as long as if that power ends the car is still steerable. That is the law- and it is a GOOD law!

N!

vash · vash's Garage

you know what? if you asked me which segment of car driver i thought was the worst drivers..i would pick corolla drivers. i have to avoid collisions with that hunk of crap more than any other car. this may explain it.....

creaturecat · 02-09-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

you know what? if you asked me which segment of car driver i thought was the worst drivers..i would pick corolla drivers. i have to avoid collisions with that hunk of crap more than any other car. this may explain it.....

Same thing here! Perhaps there is a valid reason.

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Interesting that Toyota comes under fire shortly after the government takes ownership one of its competitors...

I wonder who will be next...