The defect
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 21, 2011, through August 31, 2011. A relay in the Power Steering Control Module of the electronic power steering system could experience a short circuit due to insufficient distance between terminals in the relay and moisture contamination of relay coil windings. A short circuit in the relay could disable power steering assistance.
The risk
If the power steering assistance shuts off, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering control module. The recall began on July 31, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris | 2012 |
Components: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris | 2012 | 35 | 5 |
Other steering recalls in 2013
20 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the steering; Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing filed 245 campaigns in all.
| 13V653000 12 Dec 2013 | Newmar Corporation |
| 13V605000 29 Nov 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V603000 29 Nov 2013 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 13V588000 20 Nov 2013 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 13V529000 6 Nov 2013 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 13V528000 6 Nov 2013 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 13V527000 6 Nov 2013 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 13V531000 25 Oct 2013 | Spartan Motors, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013