Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2021-2022 Sequoia and 2021 Tundra trucks because of a problem affecting the power steering gear assembly. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent out on January 22, 2022.

In late September 2021, Toyota observed an increase in field reports and warranty claims affecting the power steering in certain 2021-2022 Sequoia and 2021 Tundra trucks. A high percentage of these vehicles experienced power steering fluid leaks, all from the area of the power steering gear assembly. Manufacturing records showed that these reports mainly involved vehicles produced during the months of August and September 2021. Toyota began recovering additional parts involved in these reports and sent them to the supplier for inspection.

These inspections found that the circlip holding the oil seal and end stopper in position at the end of the power steering rack housing was disengaged from the groove machined in the rack housing and that the oil seal and the end stopper were moved from the correct position. Further investigation of the returned parts revealed that the groove where the circlip is installed was improperly machined leading to an incorrect groove shape.

Based on these findings, the supplier investigated their production process and identified that one of the four pieces of equipment used to machine the groove in the rack housing was not creating a groove of the correct shape. The tool was inspected, it was found that certain teeth on the cutting tool, which creates the groove in the rack housing, were damaged. Based on these results Toyota has decided to conduct a safety recall campaign.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified to return to their Toyota dealer to have the power steering gear assembly inspected and replaced if necessary. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10, and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-920.

Winnebago Industries have identified a problem affecting the alternator and serpentine belt in certain 2021 Revel motorhomes.

According to the defect report, a misalignment of pulleys associated with the installation of the auxiliary alternator could cause the alternator belt to wear and become completely disengaged. If this happens, the engine serpentine belt could also become disengaged and result in immediate loss of power steering control and other belt controlled components. This loss of power steering changes the expected handling of the vehicle and can increase the chances of an accident. Drivers may experience a flapping sound prior to disengagement of the belt.

Dealers will inspect the alignment of the belt pulleys and repair problems as necessary. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 162 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-474.

General Motors has decided that a defect affecting vehicle safety exists in certain 2017 Buick LaCrosse vehicles.

According to the defect report, the terminal cables carrying ground and/or power to the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) connectors could have seals that were poorly crimped. The poor crimps make it difficult to fully seat those cables and could allow water to enter and corrode the connector. Drivers could experience an EPS warning light on the instrument panel, a chime will sounds to alert the driver and the vehicle will become difficult to steer.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have their vehicles inspected and the problem corrected. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM’s number for this recall is 17085 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-116.

Certain 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4Matic vehicles could experience a loss of power steering assist. According to the defect report, an incorrect torque sensor control calculation may cause a software issue that could lead to temporary deactivation of the power steering assist. The problem will result in increased steering effort, a warning message in the instrument cluster, and an audible warning chime. Continue reading

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2009-2016 Dodge Journey owners about a problem affect the power steering assist. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the power steering return hose could rupture at engine start up after exposure to cold temperatures. Loss of power steering assist will require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and an increased risk of an accident. Continue reading

Hyundai will be sending notices to certain 2011 Sonata owners instructing them to return to their dealership to fix a problem affecting the Electronic Power Steering (EPS). According to the defect report, a change in the manufacturing process of the protective coating on the circuit board in the EPS control unit could result in damage to the circuit board over time. If this happens, drivers may notice an illumination EPS warning lamp accompanied by a loss of steering assist and increased steering effort. Continue reading

Chrysler will be contacting approximately sixty thousand 2015 Jeep Compass and Patriot owners about a manufacturing problem affecting the steering system. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles may have been built with a power steering retention clamp that was incorrectly placed. If the hose detaches, a large volume of power steering fluid could be lost, resulting in reduced braking and a potential vehicle fire. Continue reading

Certain Toyota Camry, Highlander, and RAV4 vehicles equipped with an electric power steering (EPS) System could experience loss of steering assist due to a manufacturing error. According to reports, a resistor on the EPS electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, resistance may become high enough for the ECU to detect an abnormal current in the circuit. The problem may result in an illumining instrument panel warning light and the vehicle entering fail safe mode, suspending power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist results in increased steering effort during low speeds, increasing the risk of an accident. Continue reading