Three problems related to power steering pump have been reported for the 2006 Toyota Prius. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Water pump was replaced in 2011 and again 2015. My car has 160,000 miles at this time in Nov 2015.
I am requesting that NHTSA investigate expanding/adding-to the recall of Toyota Prius coolant inverter pump failures* to include coolant storage pump failures blowing a main fuse causing dangerous loss of all power and control. On may 31st, 2014, while traveling at about 60mph, without any warning, the car instantly shut down: no drive power, no power steering, no power brakes, no front panel display. This was a dangerous situation. After diagnosis, the Toyota dealer with assistance from Toyota corporate concluded that the "coolant storage pump" (not the coolant inverter pump as in the recall) was the cause of this blown "am-2" 15-amp fuse which shut down the hybrid system, power steering, brakes, etc. They indicated that the coolant storage pump fault was a known cause. This car is well-maintained, dealer maintained. It had all the recent recall updates installed. It was a mild day ~75deg. We'd been driving about 10 mins after a 30 minute stop. Vehicle load was not a factor -- two slim adults, no cargo load. No electrical charging loads. I am very concerned with the safety implications of immediately losing all power, power brakes, power steering, without warning, because of a single coolant pump fault. Can you please investigate this. I hope they fixed my vehicle. And I hope if anyone else has this problem its not deadly. Thank you, * recall of inverter coolant pump 12v536000: ". . . Open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. " ps I found another complaint that might be related (. . Shut off in traffic, similar VIN, NHTSA id number: 10567158). Though this complaint seems to be focused on the costs replacing additional pumps.
The cooling system in my car is defective. The water pump is apparently leaking when I have committed no precursive action to cause it. This issue is related to the same issue in my other similar Toyota Priuses, where defective electric water pumps unexpectedly stop working. The other cars are consequently recalled and I believe mine should be as well. . Read more...