2015 Auris steering column knock

[smartmart]

Go easy on me people as this is my first post ! (I'm hoping this will help everybody being 'stung' by Toyota ?)

Ran my 1998 Corolla liftback for 17 years, it was 20 years old when I changed it, and I'm already regretting it. (it was getting to the stage where it needed  a few jobs and I would have felt obliged to fix it myself, as I've always done in my 46 years motoring). Sorry I'm 'waffling' ! 

Anyway I'd always said if I did change the Corolla I'd get a Toyota Hybrid. (well proven technology). The Prius's seemed more popular and more expensive, so I plumped for an Auris hybrid 2015, in April 2018. Took it in for it's annual service this week, (Toyota Main dealer), and asked if they could look at the steering, as at slow speeds, 1-4 mph, I could feel a knock from just below the steering wheel. (couldn't hear it). No play in the steering wheel & it didn't wander on the road. Twice they told me they couldn't find anything wrong but I refused to collect the car as there definitely WAS a knock, and I didn't want to end up 2 years down the line, stumping up for a repair, you know the scenario, car out of warranty, 'your cars failed it's MOT sir, play in the steering', and a large bill ! (headache!) I insisted the workshop foreman contact me to discuss, but this was going to be the next day. In the meantime I searched on the internet ' Auris steering column knock', (bet you all know what comes next !) ? I just couldn't believe it, LOADS of problems, lots of suggestions for causes and remedies, background to Toyota recall etc etc, and many unlucky owners landed with a repair bill & Toyota trying to 'wriggle' out of responsibility. (out of warranty, not a safety issue, too many miles etc). This vehicle has covered just 29,000 miles by the way. The workshop foreman called me, we discussed the problem, (me telling him! ), and he reassured me that he would consult the Toyota technical bulletins. One hour later I had a call from service, 'we've ordered some parts and we'll be replacing the WHOLE steering column with updated parts'.

On reading the forum I would have thought that if there was a problem with the column, splines, soft clamp bolts or lack of lubrication, and it went back years, had had a recall issued, then it would have been sorted? Apparently not so ! 

Let this be a warning to everyone, it HASN'T been sorted, so if you have, or think you have this problem, log it with Toyota to protect yourself!  

One final point: I did say that the car didn't wander, but driving home after the repair it did seem a lot more positive in terms of staying where it was put on the road?

Regards & hope this helps?

[FROSTYBALLS]

DVSA, the Government Agency responsible for the recall system, will only consider a recall if 1) it is a safety issue, and 2) if they have several reports of a similar fault from owners.