Investigation PE87051: 1983 Toyota Corolla

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Aug 25, 1987

Closed

Dec 9, 1987

Model years

1983

Subject

Steering malfunction

Component: Steering

Summary

===repair cost reimbursement that might be more forthcoming if a steeringcontrol problem were alleged.toyota is convinced that no common failureexists that could cause a sudden loss of steering control.analysis:based upon the information presented by consumers and toyota,no common failure mode has been identified.that is, the months, miles,and calendar date of failure do not indicate an infant mortality or afatigue type of pattern.part sales data provided by toyota indicates thatthe steering main shaft assembly for use in manual steering had a salesrate four times that of its' power steering counterpart.in addition,sales data indicated a replacement rate of the manual steering sliding yokesub-assembly to be twice that of its' power steering counterpart.thesales data does not appear to indicate any particular pattern with respectto a definable failure mode.toyota changed the shape of the main andintermediate shaft and sliding yokes in 1987 for ease of assembly.proposed action:close this preliminary evaluation.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.