Power Assisted Steering Failure

[pwoody]

Yesterday I got into my Auris at lunch time and started it up, immediately it beeped onto the screen to "Check the steering". Tried to turn the wheel and the power assistance was non existent.

It had to be collected by Toyota on a lorry as the steering was too heavy to drive, i am waiting to hear what's up with it.

Anyone else had this issue?

[MarqsM]

No, but since it is electric (not hydraulic; mainly because it is cheaper and easier to install) I am not surprised it may fail. Especially with all the savings toyota has been doing on every single element of auris.

I had an electric power steering on fiat punto II - no problems with that, but a friend of mine with the same car had constant issues.

[GregP]

No, but since it is electric (not hydraulic; mainly because it is cheaper and easier to install) I am not surprised it may fail. Especially with all the savings toyota has been doing on every single element of auris.

I had an electric power steering on fiat punto II - no problems with that, but a friend of mine with the same car had constant issues.

Yes it is electric and cheaper but it is usually also better that hydraulic. There are no hydraulic pump, high pressure hoses, gear and belts that may go wrong. It is also better for fuel efficeincy and easier to mainten.

[MarqsM]

Yes, I agree but still not many car makers put electric power steering. AFAIK it has been (until recently) found only in cheaper, lower class cars. The question is then why?

[GregP]

AFAIK it has been (until recently) found only in cheaper, lower class cars. The question is then why?

Lexus LS, RX, LX, Honda sports cars, BMW Efficient Dynamics cars, Porsche Cayenne etc are lower class cars? What makes and models do you consider as higher class ?

[pwoody]

Apparently the failure is the ecu. It's awaiting replacement.

[MarqsM]

AFAIK it has been (until recently) found only in cheaper, lower class cars. The question is then why?

Lexus LS, RX, LX, Honda sports cars, BMW Efficient Dynamics cars, Porsche Cayenne etc are lower class cars?

No, but if you read carefully what I had written ("AFAIK") and tried to understand it, you would figure out I was describing MY knowledge on the topic. When I bought by punto II a couple of years back, it was one of the FEW cars on the market (if not the only one) with electric power steering. Needless to say, a lot of reviews mentioned this as a con of this car ("why electric, which was too strong and you didn't have that "feel of the road" etc.).

Since then, apparently, many cars come equipped with that. I wasn't aware of that, not that I cared either.

What makes and models do you consider as higher class ?

Everything is above, oh wise one. No need for sarcasm. Oh, and don't roll your eyes so much, it will hurt...

[don21]

It is the future I am afraid guys.Cars are becoming rammed with new technology that when it breaks costs a fortune to fix.It will get to a point where it is cheaper to scrap a car than repair it.Maybe that is what they want.

Said it before and I will say it again we buy Toyotas because they are supposed to be ultra reliable.Not any more it would seem.Saddens me immensely.

[GregP]

It is the future I am afraid guys.Cars are becoming rammed with new technology that when it breaks costs a fortune to fix.It will get to a point where it is cheaper to scrap a car than repair it.Maybe that is what they want.

Said it before and I will say it again we buy Toyotas because they are supposed to be ultra reliable.Not any more it would seem.Saddens me immensely.

Yes agree but the problem is we want want all the gizmos and more is better. And Toyota doesn't do most of the stuff on their own.