2005 Toyota Prius Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,051 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Toyota Prius, 4% of the 1,051 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brake, ABS and (o) with exclamation mark inside have been on , the seller was not honest with me about why the lights were on, I went to the Toyota dealer and they said it is not safe to drive the vehicle, repairs would cost $7000.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10596554, filed 2014-06, 140,748 miles“I brought my car in for a recall on steering mechanism which resulted in a bolt replacement. The service adviser advised me I needed to replace water pump. This car already had one pump replaced on a recall, why was the other pump not recalled?”
NHTSA complaint #10548497, filed 2013-10, 113,000 miles“As I was pulling into a parking spot I head a snapping sound in the steering column and the wheels stopped turning. The steering wheel would turn, but the wheels would not turn at all. We had the vehicle towed and it is currently in the shop.”
NHTSA complaint #10520180, filed 2013-06, 77,201 miles“The steering on my 2005 Prius with roughly 119,000 miles failed. Fortunately it was at a low speed and on a side street but without any ability to steer the car, it could have been really bad if on a main road or at a higher speed! The car is currently with a Toyota dealer and the cause is yet to be determined. Toyota stated there is no recall outstanding on the car and it would be out of pocket. There was, however, a prior recall for steering issues. When it failed, I was able to move it back and forth but the wheels would not turn at all.”
NHTSA complaint #11160767, filed 2018-12, 119,000 miles“I pulled into a gas station to fuel up and when I left the gas station I suddenly lost steering in my car. I could only move forward and backward. Updated 06/13/13 updated 06/17/2013”
NHTSA complaint #10510722, filed 2013-05, 105,402 milesRelated recalls
- 12V537000Nov 14, 2012Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering…Covers: Toyota Prius 2004–2009
- 06V188000May 31, 2006The intermediate shaft and sliding yoke in the electric power steering system can crack when large forces are applied and the connection may separate or the…Covers: Toyota Prius 2004–2006
Related service bulletins
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10168537Oct 21, 2019TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10133857Feb 25, 2013The vehicle will not start or ready-on and the steering wheel lock is engaged so that the steering wheel may only be turned very little from side-to-side.
- 10062035Feb 25, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 30 | 1% |
| 2009 | 13 | 3% |
| 2008 | 18 | 1% |
| 2007 | 34 | 2% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 39 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 2% |
| 2003 | 39 | 39% |
| 2002 | 80 | 48% |
| 2001 | 45 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Prius
346 complaintsBrakes
282 complaintsElectrical system
178 complaintsVehicle speed control
109 complaintsEngine cooling
64 complaintsOther or unknown
56 complaintsAir bags
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
41 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsElectronic stability control
20 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology