[Power Steering/Electrical/Warranty] Problems, could use some advice.

[Ajax969]

Hey all,

So here is the deal. My power steering will randomly shut off while driving and I won't know until I try and turn. So far it's happened 3 times, all while driving in normal conditions about 35-45MPH.

On top of this my USB port no longer works and my 12v port shuts off after about 10-30 seconds of use.

So here is the big concern, I have about 26,000 miles on my 2013 Scion FRS. A couple of key factors come into play here.

1. I live in Hawaii. I don't know why, but Scion is split into a separate company out here. Only Servco deals out here. On top of this they also have a different warranty.

2. The SOONEST I can get my vehicle in for servicing *With a loaner* is in October. I drive about 50 miles round trip each day for work, by the time they can even service my vehicle it might be out of warranty.

To me, this is a safety hazard. I used to own a restored 1978 280z without power steering, it's not terrible just kinda sucked for parking. For some reason when the power steering goes out on the FRS it's pretty difficult to turn even at speed. If for some reason I have to steer to avoid an object/car/person and I'm expecting this car to be operating at a certain level I can easily get into a wreck or seriously harm someone.

Servco Scion does not allow rental reimbursement, does anyone here have suggestions or am I just out of luck?

[Sigh-on-Rice]

Go to this website.
On the menu bar under "SERVICE/PARTS", fill out "Contact Us".
In the "Choose A Location" drop down box, select "Servco Toyota Honolulu".
Enter all the information and write your concern in the "Comment" text box.

Servco Toyota Honolulu is the one at Mapunapuna. Even if this location is inconvenient for you, I would recommend you to bring your car here for a problem like that. I too had a problem like you with the warranty when they only can schedule me for months away. But when I send them my concern here, they helped me "better". Better than month away, but nothing as close to the service you would get on the mainland. The service manager will call you after a few days. You explain your concern again over the phone to him and then he will explain to you what they can do.

Let me know how it goes. I've done this twice already. Once for this car and another time for my previous car.

Also, I don't know where you work at and what time, but they also have shuttle service. They will drop you off in the morning and pick you up in the afternoon. They leave at 7:30 am and 9 am.

[go_a_way1]

Hey. My buddy has a FRS with the same power steering issue!! He has been to the dealer 3 times about it and they say they can not duplicate it and call it normal operation.

As far as I am concerned it is a safety issue. Please keep us updated as he is desperate for a fix and is scared to drive sometimes because it happens about once a month.

Thanks!!

[humfrz]

Well, Ajax969, that is a scarry situation .....

Maybe the electric PS motor is overheating; since it's inside the cabin, do you run with your A/C ON ..... ??

Maybe the PS ECU (or whatever is controlling it) is defective ... ??

Maybe the PS motor itself is defective .... ??

If it were me, I'd take it in to be fixed ASAP ...... even if I had to rent a car on my own $ for a week.


humfrz

[phanguy]

When it happens do you get a bunch of other lights coming on your dash too?

During my install of a push to start/keyless entry system I did discover that if the ACC isn't connected while the car is running then you get no power steering and the lights on the dash wouldn't turn off(they are normally on when the key is set to On until you actually start the car). Maybe check fuses to start?

[go_a_way1]

I know on my friends car the power steering light will come on but if he turns off the car it resets. I dont think it is temperature related as it has happend both winter and summer time to him.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ajax969

Hey all,

So here is the deal. My power steering will randomly shut off while driving and I won't know until I try and turn. So far it's happened 3 times, all while driving in normal conditions about 35-45MPH.

On top of this my USB port no longer works and my 12v port shuts off after about 10-30 seconds of use.

To me, this is a safety hazard. I used to own a restored 1978 280z without power steering, it's not terrible just kinda sucked for parking. For some reason when the power steering goes out on the FRS it's pretty difficult to turn even at speed. If for some reason I have to steer to avoid an object/car/person and I'm expecting this car to be operating at a certain level I can easily get into a wreck or seriously harm someone.

Obviously a problem that is not restricted to the steering but more likely a larger electrical issue. Not a blown fuse or it would all just simply not work and wouldn't work intermittently.

This is a huge safety issue and I would put some pressure on Scion to deal with it in a more timely manner. It must truly suck to be caught in a monopoly like you are there.

[pantdino]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Obviously a problem that is not restricted to the steering but more likely a larger electrical issue. Not a blown fuse or it would all just simply not work and wouldn't work intermittently.

This is a huge safety issue and I would put some pressure on Scion to deal with it in a more timely manner. It must truly suck to be caught in a monopoly like you are there.

Yes, a huge safety issue. Doesn't the National Traffic Safety Board have a website where you can report dangerous defects? Maybe the state has one too?


I would document everything you have done and look into the above reporting avenues so if you hit someone you can shift the blame to Scion.


"Can't replicate issue" should not apply to safety problems.


I would say you should get it fixed even if you have to pay for the rental yourself, but if they can't replicate the problem they won't know what to replace.