June 1st, Toyota put out at press release about a voluntary safety recall for their 2001-2003 model Prius. Do not be fooled by the use of the word voluntary. Though it lacks a sense of urgency and almost sounds optional, this is not the case. It means that the regulatory agency overseeing the product, in this case the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has made a deal with the manufacturer to get a dangerous and defective product out of the marketplace.

The recall on these three years of the Prius is due to a defect in the nuts on the pinion shaft of the steering gear box (see photo at right). Repeated and strong turning of the steering wheel in these models can cause the nuts to come loose. If you have noticed increased difficulty making a left turn it is likely that you are already having a problem.

The estimate on repair time is 4 hours. Toyota will be mailing notification letters in early July. To check if there has been a recall on your Prius, or any other Toyota vehicle, enter your VIN number on Toyota’s website.

The official press release can be found @ toyota.com

Information on the nature of a voluntary safety recall: consumerreports.org