[Caryseller7]

2020 Camry SE 4 cylinder. Power steering stops working intermittently with error light in cluster and a warning on the display. Warning is Power Steering Problem: Low Fluid. Toyota service can’t find an issue and I get a different story each time. 1) it’s all electric with no fluid. 2) it’s electric but uses fluid in a closed system not serviceable by owner, probably not safe to drive it until repaired but no idea what to fix 3) they think it is normal. Each service tech has given me a different answer. One told me the computer stores all warnings in addition to OBD2 codes so they’d be able to see the warnings then another told me that was untrue. Appears to be untrue. Worried that it will have a hard failure after warranty expires. Power steering control unit is very pricey. When it happens the power steering does fail but returns by stopping and restarting car.

 

[new echo owner]

Did they provide you with the failure codes?

 

[Caryseller7]

Did they provide you with the failure codes?

No. No failure codes found. Intermittent issue that lights the power steering failure light in cluster but does not turn on Check Engine light or results in OBD2 failure code. So hard to investigate. Might go a month between happening. Hard to replicate

 

[new echo owner]

Uusually when there is a warning light, there would be codes stored; since it is not emission or engine control related, it would not be under regular OBDII.
Have you had any alignment work done recently?

 

[invader]

Original 12V battery?

 

[Atombum65]

Original 12V battery?

I wondered the same thing. The gen 8 Camry is known for acting crazy when the battery starts getting weak.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

If it's not just your battery going bad then it's the electric power steering rack going bad. Insist the dealer check the battery or better yet go to a car parts store and get a free test at O'reillys, Autozone etc. Always insist the dealer use Techstream and scan for ALL DTC codes and give you a printout. Sounds like you have a nutty dealer with bad service techs--go to a different dealer. The steering rack is an EXPENSIVE repair and you WANT to get it done free if you are still under warranty. Don't delay on this, You don't want to lose your steering when going 70 MPH on the highway.

 

[invader]

2020 Camry SE 4 cylinder. Power steering stops working intermittently with error light in cluster and a warning on the display. Warning is Power Steering Problem: Low Fluid. Toyota service can’t find an issue and I get a different story each time. 1) it’s all electric with no fluid. 2) it’s electric but uses fluid in a closed system not serviceable by owner, probably not safe to drive it until repaired but no idea what to fix 3) they think it is normal. Each service tech has given me a different answer. One told me the computer stores all warnings in addition to OBD2 codes so they’d be able to see the warnings then another told me that was untrue. Appears to be untrue. Worried that it will have a hard failure after warranty expires. Power steering control unit is very pricey. When it happens the power steering does fail but returns by stopping and restarting car.

If it's a 2020 Camry SE 2.5, there is no power steering low fluid warning. It would actually be "Steering Power Low. Visit your Dealer".

Your electric power steering rack is fine. You just need a new battery... Original battery is relatively weak compared to aftermarket ones. You likely have a deteriorated 565CCA H5/Gr47 battery. Many have already upgraded to a 650CCA H5/Gr47, a 730CCA H6/Gr48, or even a 760CCA AGM H6/Gr48 battery.

2019 LE battery size

Hello all.I was looking at my battery and it is a size LN2 565CCA,i believe its equivalent to a group H5 battery.From what I see all the battery manufacturers say the LE standard battery is a group H6.I live in Canada and it being cold in the winter i'm wondering what gives with the smaller battery.

www.toyotanation.com

ACDELCO 48AGM AGM; BCI Group 48; CCA 760

$161.79

Electrical > Battery > Battery | RockAuto

 

[Pvt-Public]

Don't delay on this, You don't want to lose your steering when going 70 MPH on the highway.

You will only lose the “power” steering. You can still steer although it will require more effort, and at 70mph still easy to control. At parking lot speeds a Lot of effort will be needed.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

You will only lose the “power” steering. You can still steer although it will require more effort, and at 70mph still easy to control. At parking lot speeds a Lot of effort will be needed.

That is completely true. However an elderly person; a feeble,sick or weak person; a young woman; an inexperienced and easily startled driver will ALL be terrified and may lose control if the power steering fails at highway speeds.

 

[Caryseller7]

Uusually when there is a warning light, there would be codes stored; since it is not emission or engine control related, it would not be under regular OBDII.
Have you had any alignment work done recently?

No alignment work. One service rep said warning codes are stored and one said they were not (warning not OBD2 codes). Service tech said no.

 

[Caryseller7]

If it's not just your battery going bad then it's the electric power steering rack going bad. Insist the dealer check the battery or better yet go to a car parts store and get a free test at O'reillys, Autozone etc. Always insist the dealer use Techstream and scan for ALL DTC codes and give you a printout. Sounds like you have a nutty dealer with bad service techs--go to a different dealer. The steering rack is an EXPENSIVE repair and you WANT to get it done free if you are still under warranty. Don't delay on this, You don't want to lose your steering when going 70 MPH on the highway.

Thank you for the recommendation on Techstream. Battery tested good. It seems to turn over the engine quickly during start also. But they did test it.

 

[Caryseller7]

That is completely true. However an elderly person; a feeble,sick or weak person; a young woman; an inexperienced and easily startled driver will ALL be terrified and may lose control if the power steering fails at highway speeds.

It’s the normal power steering is out feeling. Prettier hard to make a turn. Takes some muscle. I’m ok with it but would really like to get it repaired while it’s still under warranty.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

Thank you for the recommendation on Techstream. Battery tested good. It seems to turn over the engine quickly during start also. But they did test it.

So the problem MUST then be the electric power steering rack. You should get a hard copy print out from the dealer (and store it safely) stating your concern over the power steering warning AND stating that no DTCs were found BEFORE your warranties expire. Then if the steering rack fails out of warranty you can make a case with Toyota Customer Service to repair it free or give you a discount. The rack is expensive and the repair is going to take many labor hours. The car will be in the shop for several days.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

One service rep said warning codes are stored and one said they were not (warning not OBD2 codes).

All DTCs are stored--unless the Tech deletes them. Some will be "active" and some will be "in memory" meaning they were transient. Techstream can see them all. Your dealer's mechanics sound like they are incompetent. You don't get a MID screen warning without a DTC or malfunction of some sort. You really should go to a better dealer. Use Yelp and read the reviews for Toyota dealer service centers in your area. Only go to a dealer that sells Toyotas--not multiple manufacturers. You don't want a Chevy guy working on your car.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

One service rep said warning codes are stored and one said they were not (warning not OBD2 codes). Service tech said no.

The MID screen warning messages may or may not be stored--usually not. If you check the "Alert History" on the touch screen sometimes they may be there. DTC (OBD2 codes) are always stored unless expressly deleted with a scanner.

 

[Caryseller7]

If it's a 2020 Camry SE 2.5, there is no power steering low fluid warning. It would actually be "Steering Power Low. Visit your Dealer".

Your electric power steering rack is fine. You just need a new battery... Original battery is relatively weak compared to aftermarket ones. You likely have a deteriorated 565CCA H5/Gr47 battery. Many have already upgraded to a 650CCA H5/Gr47, a 730CCA H6/Gr48, or even a 760CCA AGM H6/Gr48 battery.

2019 LE battery size

Hello all.I was looking at my battery and it is a size LN2 565CCA,i believe its equivalent to a group H5 battery.From what I see all the battery manufacturers say the LE standard battery is a group H6.I live in Canada and it being cold in the winter i'm wondering what gives with the smaller battery.

www.toyotanation.com

ACDELCO 48AGM AGM; BCI Group 48; CCA 760

$161.79

Electrical > Battery > Battery | RockAuto
View attachment 405923

Thanks for the comment. This started at 1 year of age and has continued through 2 years of age. Battery tests good, but interesting comment

 

[Caryseller7]

So the problem MUST then be the electric power steering rack. You should get a hard copy print out from the dealer (and store it safely) stating your concern over the power steering warning AND stating that no DTCs were found BEFORE your warranties expire. Then if the steering rack fails out of warranty you can make a case with Toyota Customer Service to repair it free or give you a discount. The rack is expensive and the repair is going to take many labor hours. The car will be in the shop for several days.

Yes I am afraid this is exactly what will happen. They said they made a record of it but I’ve had really mixed results with this dealership. You ask 3 people the same thing and get 3 answers to a question you’d expect them to know. I have no confidence they truly made a record. I’ll go back and get something printed.

 

[Caryseller7]

The MID screen warning messages may or may not be stored--usually not. If you check the "Alert History" on the touch screen sometimes they may be there. DTC (OBD2 codes) are always stored unless expressly deleted with a scanner.

So how do you get to Alert History. I tried every menu option but did not see this.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

So how do you get to Alert History. I tried every menu option but did not see this.

Press the raised "Menu" button on left side of touch screen. Then touch "Info" on the screen. Two things then appear on the 5th gen RAV4 and your 8th generation Camry should be the same: there will be a "Eco" (which records MPGs and trips) and the "Alerts". Press "Alerts".