Three problems related to steering failed have been reported for the 2007 Toyota Prius. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The steering on the car failed completely. There was a popping/snapping sound while turning the car, and afterward I could turn the steering wheel without any resistance (much less than usual) and the wheels did not turn at all. A little earlier in the drive I could feel the steering on the car feel a little off: I had to turn the wheel a little more to get the wheels to turn and something just felt loose. I'm incredibly grateful that the final 'snap' occurred while in the parking lot and not while on the highway/at higher speed. . Read more...
The steering failed on my Prius about 45 degrees into a right turn on Saturday, 9 Feb 2013. I heard a loud "pop" and my car lost steering completely and immediately. It almost caused an accident with the driver side of a car that was waiting at the stop sign to my right. There was no warning or "feeling" accompanying the steering loss (I. E. It didn't "grab" or "lock"). The steering wheel just suddenly no longer had any effect on the direction of the vehicle. The Toyota dealership who investigated found that the spiral cable sub-assembly needs to be replaced, which they claim is not related to any current recall. This doesn't feel like a "normal wear and tear" issue, because it could have caused a serious accident.
2007 Prius touring was steering at low speed to park when the steering column shaft connection to the gearbox steering rack failed and the car steering wheel turned freely but no longer controlled the front wheels. Car could not be steered. Electrical warning lights indicating steering slide then vehicle powered down and could not be moved. Had vehicle towed to Toyota dealership. Tech informed me the steering rack was damaged along with the air bag cable coil assembly. Upon dissassembly tech found that the steering shaft connecting the column to the steering rack gear box had stripped and also needed replacement. Total cost of repairs. $2302. 65. Out of warranty. 59,980 miles.