Toyota Prius: Toyota announces new recall for NHW20 Prius model for steering defect

Kubalister wrote: 

Not quite - you're off by an order of 10 for the number of affected
Prius (113,235) - not 1 million. (Toyota hasn't made 1 million Prius
yet!) Toyota is recalling 9 different models (including the Corolla,
Wish, Prius, and others) for the same steering rack issue...

On the Toyota Japan recall page:
http://toyota.jp/recall/2006/0530.html

using the Japanese->English translation at
http://babelfish.altavista.com/

<quote>
Recall of 9 models such as wish and eye cis
Notification number 1663
Recall target date May 31st

Concerning the portion of the regular use car of 9 models such as
wish and eye cis, it started delivering the recall of the below-
mentioned contents to the national traffic ministry on 2006 May 30th.

Improvement place explanation drawing:
http://toyota.jp/recall/2006/drawing/0530.html

1. Circumstance of trouble
Because strength of ƒCƒ"ƒ^ƒ~ƒfƒBƒGƒCƒgƒVƒƒƒtƒg and the
sliding yoke which
connect
the steering wheel and the gear box of the electromotive type power-
steering attaching car is insufficient, the steering wheel is turned
strongly all the way the low-speed time, e.g., the tire is made to
contact the curb, when excessive power repeatedly affects in the
particular part, the connected section loosens, while travelling
there are times when crack occurs. Because of that, when use is
continued that way, when it is worst, the connected section coming
off and/or breaking, there is a possibility leader operation becoming
impossible.

2. Contents of improvement
As all vehicle, ƒCƒ"ƒ^ƒ~ƒfƒBƒGƒCƒgƒVƒƒƒtƒg and the
sliding yoke are exchanged to
the measure item, tightening volt/bolt of
ƒCƒ"ƒ^ƒ~ƒGƒNƒXƒeƒ"ƒVƒ‡ƒ"ƒVƒƒƒtƒg is
tightened by stipulated torque.

[snip affected vehicles - I'll include the affected Prius list below]

Note:
1. Because also the vehicle which does not become the object is
included in the range of the under carriage number where the object
car is included, please inquire at the Toyota store of the vicinity
concerning details.
2. Production period of the object car differs from the time of
purchase.


Doing to apply annoyance, there is no excuse truly in everyone of
regular use, but making guide from the Toyota store, because it
receives, ahead of time, it comes to the regular use car handling
store of the vicinity and reservation receives store day and time,
inspection repair (no charge) to receive that it receives, it asks.

We apologize to everyone of regular use from thing and the heart
which very much applied annoyance.
</quote>

Prius
NHW20 model (This is found in your driver's door jamb plate, and
should also be on your window sticker. The NHW20 is the 2004-current
hatchback version of the Prius.)

VINs ending in: 0001043 - 0133242
Production period: 2003 August 1st - 2004 October 13th
Quantity affected: 64,436

VINs ending in: 3000002 - 3130009
Production period: 2004 September 30th - 2005 November 8th
Quantity affected: 31,254

VINs ending in: 7000000 - 7058792
Production period: 2004 October 6th - 2005 November 7th
Quantity affected: 17,545