2013 Scion FR-S

I am submitting this complaint to report a serious safety defect involving a complete loss of steering control in my vehicle, 2013 Scion FR-S. While driving and making a turn, the steering system failed entirely, leaving me unable to control the direction of the vehicle. I retained only braking and acceleration capabilities. There where no waring lights or mechanical indicators of potential or probable failure. As a result of this failure, I was involved in a collision with a nearby vehicle. Following the incident, I researched the issue and discovered a known failure point in the electric power steering (EPS) system, specifically related to the steering column EPS damper bushing. This appears to be a recognized defect that has not been addressed at the factory level, despite the significant safety risk it poses. I believe this issue warrants investigation to prevent future incidents and potential injuries. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Steering locks and binds up and clunks while driving, makes steering. Creates dangerous situations as you cannot steer when this occurs. Diagnosed as a failed electric steering damper, repair performed by owner as dealer quoted over $900 for the repair to replace the entire electric power steering motor. This should be a recall as it affects the steering of the car. This failure occurs so commonly on these cars that owners are repairing it themselves with no manufacturer help. See: https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133606

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL WHERE THE SPRING VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUMBLING SOUND AROUND THE ENGINE AS IF METAL WERE LOOSE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DELUCA TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 1719 SW COLLEGE RD, OCALA, FL 34471, 352-732-0770) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHORT BLOCK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,900.

DURING NORMAL DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN RANDOM LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON THE CAR. A LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH AND A SHORT WARNING SIGNAL SOUNDS. MANUAL STEERING TAKES OVER ON THE CAR. LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING AT RANDOM TIMES AND HAS OCCURRED WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY, AS MUCH AS 5 TIMES AN HOUR, MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE CUT OUT APPEARS TO BE COMPLETELY RANDOM AS IT HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDE STREETS MAIN ROADS, AFTER THE ENGINE WAS WARMED UP, AND BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. IT HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 12-15 TIMES OVER THE PAST FIVE MONTHS WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. THE MANUAL STEERING REMAINS ENGAGED UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN, ALTHOUGH WHEN THE POWER STEERING CUTS OUT AGAIN AFTER RESTARTING IS RANDOM, IT HAPPENED BOTH IMMEDIATELY, SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER, 30 MINUTES AFTER, AND NOT AT ALL.

POWER STEERING RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, HAS HAPPENED WHILE STATIONARY, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, WHILE TURNING, HAS HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR HAS RESOLVED THE ISSUE ON 2 PREVIOUS OCCASIONS BUT TODAY THE SAME ISSUE CONTINUES TO OCCUR EVEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RESTARTED. THIS IS A HAZARD WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED. VARIOUS FORUMS PRESENT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE .

MY 2013 SCION FRS CURRENTLY HAVE 18K MILES AND RANDOMLY LOSING POWER TO STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES ALREADY AND TWO TO THOSE WAS ALMOST AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENED TWICE WHEN I WAS TURNING, ONCE WHEN I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT, AND ONCE WHEN I WAS IDLING. POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND 1-2 SECONDS AFTER THAT, YOU WOULD LOSE POWER. SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON WILL MAKE IT TEMPORARY GO AWAY. CHECKED MANY FORUMS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM BUT HAS NO RECALL IN THE US. BUT THERE IS ONE IN AUSTRALIA IN 2016.

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE AND EASILY TURNS LEFT, ALMOST ON ITS OWN. WHERE AS TURNING IT TO THE RIGHT IS TIGHT AND MORE DIFFICULT. THIS MAKES DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY ON WINDY DAYS. I'VE READ ABOUT IT HERE AND THERE ONLINE WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHATS HAPPENING AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE. ONE PERSON STATED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED ALIGNMENT.