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Sedans Toyota Corolla Toyota Corolla Electric-Assist Power Steering (EPS)
98 messages, Last post on Oct 29, 2009 at 2:09 PM
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Replying to: dantz (Aug 05, 2009 2:19 pm) It's definitely a problem with the Corolla (and yes, the problem carried over to the 2010 models. (For some reason Toyota changes model years in February before). I believe Toyota will fix the steering on 2011. If you read comparisons, you will see that there is really no reason you should not consider other cars. Besides the steering issue, the Corolla is overpriced. Try the Hyundai Elantra - even Consumer Reports favors it over the Corolla - it's cheaper, gives you more features (heated mirrors standard on all models!!), it's bigger and more roomy, and is also very reliable, and offers much better warranty.
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Replying to: samnoe (Aug 06, 2009 12:30 pm) I don't believe it is a "problem" and I don't agree that it needs "fixing" I'm sure the steering is pleasurably responsive by design. Perhaps you just can't adjust to such responsive steering. I think it's just a personnal preference thing that you just don't prefer to old fashion hydraulics.
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Replying to: terceltom (Aug 06, 2009 1:28 pm) Oh, really? We hadn't picked up on that.  If I have to change my driving style to the point that it makes me nervous to drive at high speeds (and I don't drive particularly sporty cars, but DO drive 3,000 miles a month as a courier in a metro area), its a problem. I've driven cars that are known for being lackluster handlers - Camry for one - and while its lacking in feel, its definitely not nerve-racking to drive. The Corolla appears to have serious issues. Is it because it is EPS? Nope. Other vehicles have been using EPS lately with straight-tracking and, in some models, delightful handling. It's Toyota's particular tuning (or lack therof) of the EPS in the Corolla. It is too light, too darty, and too reluctant to find straight-ahead.
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Replying to: thegraduate (Aug 06, 2009 2:09 pm) The car was purchased as a "future car" for my 13yo daugher - and will also be driven by her older sister who's turning 18 and headed to college... I am now regretting that decision. The lack of stability at higher speeds is a serious concern - especially if you have an inexperienced driver behind the wheel. Everything that "The Graduate" and the others describe is true. I described the situation as needing to "actively drive" the vehicle. If you do not pay attention at high speeds, you will easily "drift" or worse...The Graduate said the vehicle was "darty" and "reluctant to find straight-ahead" - excellent descriptions. I realise that Terceltom is saying that you need to "get used to" the switch from hydraulic to EPS - that may be partly true. But if you still think there's a problem then obviously you can't adjust and it must be the operator? - I disagree. The steering "is what it is" - The vehicle is built either naturally "positively stable, or negatively stable". Meaning that the vehicle wants to return to a stable condition without your input, or it needs your active participation to remain stable. I fly for a living - a Cessna 172 is "positively stable" - for the most part, the plane "flies itself". That's why people learn in this plane. The other end of the spectrum is advanced aircraft like the Stealth fighter - if you lose the computer, no matter how good you are, you cannot keep up with the control inputs required to keep the airplane flying. Does the Corolla need a computer? No. The Corolla in my opinion is in between these two extremes. You can "learn" to gingerly control the steering at high speeds. You may like to actively drive the vehicle. I will caution prospective buyers that if you need to rapidly change lanes at high speeds, you are going to have your hands full. I prefer not to have a vehicle that requires this much attention - especially for a young driver. I'm not putting my daughter in an advanced aircraft "control wise" when she needs a stable trainer.... If this problem started when "EPS" was used, then it needs to be tuned / fixed. I've driven several types of cars over the years, and I do not recall ever having a vehicle this unstable... I am in the process of determining how large of a hit I will take when trading it back to a dealer for a different vehicle - might have to sell private party for less of a loss. Sad...it's a nice car otherwise.
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Replying to: spikejr1 (Aug 10, 2009 10:44 am) I think the Corolla is available as a rental, e.g. from Hertz and maybe others. I think at least some Toyota dealers rent cars also. Might be a good idea for anyone who is concerned about the steering feel to rent a Corolla and live with it for a few days. |
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I bought a 2010 Corolla XLE in beginning of August 2009. It has larger/wider factory alloy rims/tires than the CE and most S models. I am sure this makes a huge difference in steering feel in comparison to the narrower tires on the CE and most S models. This is why XLE owners do not notice the wander as much. On my first 2 hour driving trip between Los Angeles and San Diego, I noticed the tendency for the car to drift. When I returned, I checked the tire pressure and found one rear tire to be a 1/2 lbs lower than the other tires. Letting the car sit overnight in a garage, I carefully adjusted the tire pressure to 32 lbs using a tire gauge to exactly the same visual spot on the gauge on all 4 tires. Steering confidence increased significantly. Now I check my tires weekly and I find I have to make minute corrections using my 12v cigarette-lighter electric tire inflator I carry in the trunk. I think some grooved roads are going to be more uncomfortable to drive than un-grooved roads. The Corolla is a light car. I went from a 98 Toyota Short Bed 4x4 with large tires to the Corolla. Of course, this car is going to be thrown around a lot more because of the shorter wheel-base, small tires and light weight. On my normal commute on the freeway/city streets, I don't have a problem. On one stretch of the north-bound 405 freeway in Irvine and a curvy portion of south-bound 405 freeway around Hughes Center/Westchester/LA area I have to pay attention, but I had the same squirreliness (?) in my truck, also. I have always hated an out-of-align front-end. I think mine might be slightly out-of-align and I think this is what some car owners might be experiencing. I am not saying that the steering has the best characteristic, but exact tire pressure and out-of-alignment will magnify the tendency for the steering to have that wandering feel. Let's not forget wider tires can make a big difference on steering feel also. |
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Replying to: denvecsr (Apr 16, 2009 8:49 am)
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| I forgot to mention, I generally get 80,000 to 100,000 miles on my vehicle tires. I'm exterminely aware of tire pressure, alignment, driving habits and road conditions. All that being said, all new Toyota Corolla owners need to document their steering problems. | |
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