Steering Rack problems of the 2001 Toyota Prius

2001 Toyota Prius, 60649 odometer miles. After backing out of a driveway and coming to a full stop, the steering wheel shook violently back and forth (right and left), traveling at least 1 (maybe 2) inches in each direction. Between 5 and 10 oscillations occurred. I was not trying to turn the wheel at the time and the motion jerked the steering wheel out of my hands (I was quite shocked). It was all over in less than 2 seconds. I then drove the car back into the driveway (no problem) and had it towed to the car dealer. Dealer found bad sensor in the steering rack requiring replacement of the entire rack.

Check engine light came on in vehicle. Took to dealer for service and was told the power steering rack had a malfunction and needed replaced. They replaced the rack and electric link assembly and did a front end alignment at a cost to me of $1500 dollars. The service advisor told us that this was the third time this year that he had seen this problem . After researching this problem further, I found that many people have had this same problem. Why should I have to pay for a faulty part?.

Steering rack problem. . . . . Needs replacement due to a broken item in the steering rack. Causes high pitched noise whenever steering wheel is turned. Toyota agreed to replace part, but requires us to pay for the labor to replace the part. ($500).

Hybrid electric vehicle; steering rack failed causing vehicle to pull from side to side.

The power steering cuts out at random times. The dealer says I need a new steering rack, but it has been weeks and no rack has shown up. Now I'm hearing from other Prius owners that this problem is widespread and Toyota is redesigning the whole steering system. Meanwhile I'm stuck with a car where the power steering can cut out at any time.