Toyota Recalling 2.77 Million Priuses Worldwide

ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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is recalling 2.77 million 2004-2009 PriusesToyota Prius GT ConceptJapan, 2004 > present Worldwide for two separate issues. All of the cars are being recalled so that technicians can check the splines on the steering shaft. About half of those cars will have half of their electric water pumps checked. 

The steering issue is caused by the steering extension and its splines not being hard enough when it goes to the steering box. If the driver turns the steering wheels from lock to lock at low speeds, the splines might bend and wear out prematurely. Toyota says that it will take about an hour for the steering extension shaft to be inspected and replaced if necessary. 

About half of the cars are could also have a faulty electric water pump. Because the Prius is a hybrid, there are times when the car is driving when the engine is not running. Therefore, it has an electric water pump to continue to circulate coolant through the engine, electric motor, and batteries when the engine is not running. It is possible that these water pumps could stop working, which could cause the hybrid system to stop working. Toyota says that it will take two hours to diagnose and replace and pump if necessary. 

Toyota says that there have been no injuries caused by either one of these faults but wants to repair them. The recall will affect 670,000 Priuses in the US, 496,000 cars in Europe and 1.5 million in Japan.

Source: Autoblog