Toyota has initiated a campaign to replace the entire power steering rack in 72,400 Hybrid vehicles. This campaign affects 47,900 2006 and 2007 model year Highlander Hybrids and 24,500 2007 Camry Hybrids. The replacement is covered under warranty.

“In certain 2006-2007 model year Highlander HV and 2007 model year Camry HV’s, due to insufficient adhesion between the permanent magnets and the rotor of the EPS, the motor may gradually loose torque when the wheel is turned to the complete left or right position. If this condition occurs, customers may experience a noticeable gradual increase in the steering effort necessary at low speeds. This condition may be most perceptible when parking the vehicle”

VIN # of affected vehicles:

2006 Highlander Hybrid
JTEDW21A – last 7 digit ranges =>0001012-0016484 and 0016485-0017903
JTEEW21A - last 7 digit ranges =>0001052-0033953 and 0033956-0036624

2007 Highlander Hybrid
JTEEW21A - last 7 digit ranges =>0001052-0033953 and 0033956-0036624
JTEGW21A - last 7 digit ranges =>0016486-0017906
JTEHW21A - last 7 digit ranges =>0033954-0036620

2007 Camry Hybrid
JTNBB46K - last 7 digit ranges =>3000151-3026447

 

Production range of the recall:

2006-2007 Highlander HV - Mid February 2005 through mid September 2006
2007 Camry HV - Early March 2006 through Late September 2006

The recall also affects 153,900 Lexus vehicles in the US as follows:

2006 GS300 - 43,800
2007 GS350 - 4500
2006 through 2007 GS430 - 7600
2007 GS450 - 1800
2006 through 2007 IS250 -40,600
2006 through 2007 IS350 - 17,500
2006 through 2007 RX400h - 38,100

 

Don R, Thanks for the excellent info.

 

Thanks.

 

Thanks for the info. Dropping mine off this Friday.
Premier Toyota in Amherst, Ohio is providing a loaner.

UPDATE:
Got the car back in 5 hours and the steering seems fine. Gave me a brand new (47 miles) Corolla for a loaner.
So far very satisfied. Will advise if there are any problems.

 

Whew! My VIN is about 40 off - looks like they took care of it before they got to my car. No wonder I haven't gotten a letter.

 

I just dropped my 2007 TCH to have the SSC - 90A done on it (luckily, toyota dealer had 5 of the Camry HV EPS Link Assembly in stock when I called.) This will be the first mechanical issue the Toyota dealership has to perform on my TCH after a bit over 34k problem free miles. As an FYI, I still have not received a letter from Toyota, so thank you so much for posting the issue, as I had no idea about it, and hopefully no other issue comes up after the fix and they get the alignment good in the first attempt...

 

Wow, I am totally impressed and satisfied with the dealership as I took my TCH after they aplied the SSC - 90A fix also got the alignment right the first time and for sure steering feels tighter now and hopefully it will improve my 48.2 MPG (previous recorded full tank was 45.3MPG both computer recorded.) thanks again for this valuable info...

 

I can't help but wonder if there is more to it than what the description provides. The cost of replacing tens and tens of thousands of power steering racks must be huge, all to make it a bit easier to park in tight spaces?

Somewhere in between the lines should I be reading steering system failure?

Not that it makes me unhappy or concerned. My 04 Sienna was a new model year early production vehicle too, just like my 07 Camry and it went thru a bunch of recalls. In fact, it is also going in this week for another recall itself (console panel might dislodge and trap gas pedal, previous ones gas tank, power steering hoses, seat belt). This is the first for the Camry so not bad, and both vehicles have been A1 reliable. Sounds like Toyota is being reasonably proactive for the "early adopters". My only experience with another recall, one on a GM vehicle went something like this "we used crappy spark plugs and wires, if you ever experience misfiring present this letter". Well yes, it happened and what did I get, 1 free new spark plug and 1 free new wire and a bill for $30 to reset the check engine light. 2 months later, you guessed it, one of the other "crappy" wires or plugs failed. Why they didn't replace the whole set? Because they suck.

In any case, my appt is for Monday... Sounds like a big job, they want the whole day...

 

I think it is interesting how Toyota trys to minimise the worry factor by carefully wording the recall. They apparently will completely replace the rack and pinion steering assembly due to one of the 2 motors having problems with the rotor magnets coming loose from the motor shaft they are supposed to turn. So really no cause for concern, due to the backup motor still working.