June 1, 2011 — Toyota Motor Sales USA announced Wednesday a voluntary recall of 52,000 2001 to 2003 Prius vehicles to replace the electric power steering pinion shaft attachment nuts.

Toyota dealers will install a new nut to secure the pinion shaft at no charge to the vehicle owner. If the original nut is not replaced, it will loosen and drivers will notice it takes increased steering effort to make a left turn. Toyota will send out letters of notification to vehicle owners starting in July.

For more information on the recall, visit toyota.com/recall.