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Toyota Corolla Electric-Assist Power Steering (EPS)
I have a 2009 Corolla and I have been having problems with the steering. On highway speed, I feel that the steering wheel suddenly pulls to the right or left but more so to the right and it scares the heck out of me. I have taken it to the car dealership and the mechanic said that there's nothing wrong with it. How can he say there's nothing wrong with it when he only drove it for 7 miles back and forth? I have seen several complaints on the nhtsa.gov website and they all say the same thing. What is going on? I don't feel safe driving the car and I only have it for about 3 weeks now. Please help.
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Personally, I don't feel like I should have to adjust to get used to something that is drastically different (in a way that is a step BACKWARDS from Corollas past) from most other vehicles on the road, considering it is at least as expensive as its competitors, and often-times costs more when comparably equipped. If it was improved in handling and people were getting used to having more feel or sharper steering that'd be one thing, but this is reduced feel, reduced accuracy, and reduced confidence on the road. With such light steering, it has apparently become much more likely to get caught in road grooves or be pulled by the grade of the pavement to the left or right, and doesn't track as confidently as the previous model, or its competitors.
Just a note though, your car will naturally want to pull slightly to the side of the highway you on or lane your driving in due to the natural grading of the road. To explain, the road is not flat as most will think. To allow for drainage all roads are actually crowned shape to allow for the water to roll to each side. So if on the right side or right lane your car will want to pull slightly to the right because it's lower then the center or left wheel. And if your on the left side or left lane your car will want to pull slightly to the left because it's lower then the center or right wheel. This could be more evident with a car like the new Corolla with the very ease of the new EPS steering. Next time you on the highway see if this is how your car is reacting to the specific lane or side your driving on.
Sounds like someone's making excuses for Toyota. All the other systems out there manage to be light enough for gentle parking lot maneuvers (my 74 year old grandmother drives a Civic to the beauty shop weekly, so its certainly plenty light), but have feel, accuracy, and manage not to be thrown around the road like so many owners are complaining about. Sure, you can steer it with your pinky finger (assuming you aren't having to correct for the pull of the road), but then again, I don't consider that "driving."
I understand Toyota is in the business of selling cars, and it is selling Corollas just fine. Toyota also understand what its customers want (to be as isolated and coddled as possible). Every Toyota model emphasizes that by having little road feel, light steering, generally mushy brakes, and overly-lethargic throttle tip-in. To me, they've gone to far with this one though. The 03-08 Corolla rode nicely, had numb but better-weighted steering, and at least it didn't wander down the highway.
Only some Corolla owners might need to adjust to this new technology, others will not and neither will non-Corolla owners, right?
reduced accuracy, and reduced confidence on the road.
totally disagree, the steering of the new Corolla is more accurate then ever before. There are many ladies that post here that find themselves very confident with their new Corolla.
With such light steering, it has apparently become much more likely to get caught in road grooves or be pulled by the grade of the pavement to the left or right
Now when I said that it will pull to the grade in the road you said I was just making excuses for Toyota, all cars with quality, light feel steering will pull to the grade of the road.
Every Toyota model emphasizes that by having little road feel, light steering, generally mushy brakes, and overly-lethargic throttle tip-in.
Totally untrue, Toyota never emphasized they had any of the above. Why would they, that would be like cutting their own throats. Toyota quality and reliability speaks for itself and sells itself. That's why they're consistently in the top two in sales with their Corolla.
If anyone ever got theirs fixed, please let me know ASAP.
Thanks.
Older, yes. Heavier? Nope. Depending on the model, some version of the Corolla actually weigh more than my daily-driver Accord. The Corolla is the heavier one.
And, you've used the new technology bit pretty often. In my driveway is a 2006 Accord which has DBW technology, technologically advanced engine mounts, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, and a large number of electronic devices and advances over older models. None of them take away from the driving experiences though. I've put 46k miles on it, and haven't had to "adjust" to anything. It was made so as not to make people question the way it drove, meaning it actually HAD some steering feel, and wasn't overly light and disconnected feeling.
All "new technology" isn't necessarily good, especially when implemented and tuned in a way which I deem unsatisfactory. As I've stated, Toyota isn't the only company using EPS, but it sure has the absolute worst example of it I've experienced.
Anyway, some are saying that they can go into the computer and do something that would do away with the EPS or at the very least make it so you can turn it off and on. Maybe somebody can give you some more info. on this. I do think it was mentioned on another Toyota thread. I hope you get your car to work the way you want it to. Good Luck with your purchase. Nobody should be as unhappy as when they have spent almost 20 K on a new car and are now disappointed with it.
One test drive is plenty for me to know I shouldn't buy the car. Most people never make it to signing on the dotted line for something that they hate driving. Has that not crossed your mind?
You can't get more "natural" steering then the new Toyota Corolla!
That's quite possibly the funniest thing I've heard today, boss. :shades:
Ford should take note from Toyota on how to make a great EPS steering and maybe they wouldn't be in the shape their in.
Wait... nope. THAT'S the funniest.
BTW, it's not a Corolla.
Decades ago, hydraulic power steering systems were very light. There's a reason that, with time, automakers have put some weight back into the steering. I'm glad you've found the Corolla though, it's the ultimate riding machine
This is my 3rd corolla, put 400,000 km (250,000 mi) each on a 1989 and a 2002, have 20,000 on this one so far. Each one has been bigger, nicer riding and more well equipped, unfortunately they also seem to each get lower in quality and worse in real-world fuel economy.....
but it doesn't. toyota screwed up on this one. anyone that works for toyota should have nothing to say here. A BIG CONFLICT OF INTEREST. who ever does is liable for lawsuits.
MNF
You might be interested in the 2009 Corolla review by the Edmunds' editors. Here is part of the review:
Body roll is decently controlled, but the electric steering on non-XRS models provides so little feedback, you may find yourself making corrections simply to keep the car traveling in a straight line. Toyota retuned this setup for the XRS, and indeed its steering feels crisper and weightier. Driven on a back road, the Corolla XRS is undeniably a capable compact sedan, but compared to rivals like the Mazda 3, Civic and Lancer, it's not a very entertaining one.
In any case, getting back to the discussion at hand - we all need to be careful not to make differences of observations and opinions into personal issues. Let's just talk about the EPS experiences here and not each other.
If it is a drastic problem, should I start looking for another vehicle?
and also, what is a good OTD price range for the toyota corolla le sedan?
To clarify: I find my 09 to be effortless to steer around town, a little vague maybe but not too bad. Definitely less effort than my previous 2 corollas. The issue I have could be described as a floating, wandering, aimless sensation when running at real-world expressway speeds - sorta like my long-ago Ford Torino with bald tires and bad shocks. Problem is I commute an hour each way daily at those speeds so it gets tiresome, and I'm not sure I will be able to live with it for hundreds of thousands of kilometers. I'm not saying I expect superb, crisp, agile handling - if that was the case, I'd have bought an Acura....
What I'm looking for is, has anyone had success getting this corrected?
For pricing assistance, try the Corolla Prices Paid and Buying Experience discussion.
Good luck to you!
Let's ALL relax and just deal with the topic at hand, which does not include each other.
I agree that it can be fatiguing keeping the corolla on the road during extended drives the steering has no "dead zone" like hydraulic, (i have no idea im just guessing lol.) if its really that tiring you should try driving a lifted truck with 35's.... just change ur hand position on the wheel often on extended trips and it will help a lot.
I think toyota should look at implementing a little leeway in the straight position( maybe the electric motor has a arresting device/less sensitive when in straight driving position give or take 2-3 degrees or so from middle position above 60 mph or highway speeds?!) Im just worried ill get pulled over for swerving and a cop thinkin im drunk or something. It isnt faulty imo it is just a real hassle, this car is perfect other than this little hiccup. It's almost better to just rest ur hands on the steering wheel, for example, (in my experience, like resting arms on lap and just holding on with index finger and thumb) and just fix your position in the lane rather than steer it like normal, if that makes any sense lol.
I would be willing to pay like maximum 100-200 bucks if they could come up with a good fix for it. but free would be awesome too!
if anyone has a link to a statement from toyota about this subhect or anything link it for me plz. Also has anyone peeled out in some water or whatever and controlled this thing? LOL the steering gets so stiff like old cars w/o power steering. im scared to fully fish tail this [non-permissible content removed] full throttle cuz i dunna if this AI alien steering will let me control my car lol. dont flame me if yall think there no problem plz.
Eric
There response ( they both drove it) was great fun to drive and after three days of going all over the gas gauge was slow to move. I then asked if they noticed anything differant about the steering the one said it felt tight but no complaints that nothing jumped out. He asked why so i explained on what some have noticed he said he didn't notice any thing that would make him take notice. He owns a 2007 Subaru WRX STI and scares me when i ride with him and she owns a 2007 Honda Accord. This not to discredit other posts but to show that everyone has a differant experience when driving the Corolla.
MNF
On the brighter side.... Yesterday, 120 km highway run at 115 km/hr, nice warm 25 Celsius day, the dash readout says I averaged 5.5 l/100 km = 51 mpg Canadian = 43 mpg US!! Bought the car in January, was quite disappointed at mileage in the winter months. It would appear that this car likes to run hot and not too far above the speed limit.
MNF