Table 1 shows one common wheel related problems of the 2002 Toyota Echo.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Wheel problems |
1. No problems whatsoever until event. We are original owners and the car only had 17,000+ miles on it. 2. Driving along at normal rate of speed, suddenly metallic, grinding sounds from under hood (not like a blow out or tire tread coming off), slowed down to pull over when car pulled hard to the right and locked. Husband pulled hard on the steering wheel to the left. The steering wheel turned but the wheels didn't. No control of car whatsoever. Car hit guardrail. Airbags deployed. Husband was taken by ambulance with head, chest, and back injuries. 3. Still haven't heard from insurance company but everyone has told us the car is totaled.
While driving at approximately 70 mph on a flat, stright highway in light-to-moderate traffic conditions on a road with no obstructions or visible fluid/oil spots my 2002 Toyota Echo suddenly and sharply veered right. I attempted to correct my trajectory, but the car swerved completely out of control, final turning counter-clockwise to hit the concrete median nearly-head-on, with majority of impact on right front of car. The recoil of the impact turned the car so that it was completely 180 degrees from the driving direction on the freeway. The front end of the car was pushed in, airbags deployed, the hood pushed in and up and the driver's door would not open. No injury occured from the crash. I was not under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, was not talking on a cell phone and had both hand on the wheel at the time of the accident. It occured during clear, sunny weather at 4:00 pm on may 7, 2004. The car has been deemed "totalled" by my insurance company and no repairs have been done.