2006 Lexus RX Hybrid Steering Problems

“While driving down a rural road at 45 MPH, the power steering stopped working, the ps warning light illuminated on the dash, and I had extreme difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle. I puled off the road and turned the ignition off. I restarted the ignition and the power steering worked. I drove home.”

“While backing out of my driveway, I bumped a tree with the passenger's side mirror. The impact was slight, estimated speed was 5mph as the driveway was icy. The wheels were not turned much as that portion of the driveway is straight. After the impact, I found that the wheel was very difficult to turn and the p/s fail light was lit on the instrument cluster. After examining the outside of the car, the only visible damage to the car was a paint chip on the mirror. There were no fluid leaks. There was a safety recall in nov. …”

“Traveling down the interstate between 75-80 MPH, the car completely shut-off. Lost all power and check hybrid system lights came on. Was not able to restart the vehicle. It turns out that the inverter on this car was recalled in june 2011 and I was not notified. I took my car in for service in november of 2011 at the dealership where it was purchased, and they did nothing to resolve the problem. Saline kirkland at Lexus of mobile (service manager) said she found out about the problem one week ago.”

“While traveling east on rt 2 in massachusettes the right front tire hit a bump in the road and blew out. At this instant the power steering completely failed making it extra difficult to get the vehicle under control. I later took the vehicle back to Lexus of manchester new hampshire where I purchased it and they confirmed that the ecu had failed by swapping it out with a known good one from another vehicle. I feel that this would be a very dangerous for anybody was not strong enough to be able control force that a flat tire puts on the steering wheel under these circumstances.”

“I was driving 2006 Lexus 400h when I noticed the power steering began to fade. Outside temp was 21 degrees and I traveled only 8 miles. I went out on the road a half hour later. I had to use two hands on the wheel half way to the store since power steering had faded greatly. When I got into the parking lot, I turned into a space and almost hit the car next to me because the steering just died. In any event, after grunting and using much muscle, I was able to get the car home. However, when I was making a turn at intersections, the wheel seemed to pulsate like power was coming on. …”