Oxidation/rust of engine parts in 2017 Yaris

[06YarisRS]

Originally Posted by jowii

Thanks. The dealership drove it around and said they compared it to other vehicles and said it was similar... I called Toyota's main customer support and they couldn't give an answer and they told me that they leave it to the dealer to decide. I asked if since I have a ticket created for the concern, if it would be honored under warranty if it does become an apparent issue after the warranty expires, and I think the answer is no...

I've attached an audio file with what I'm hearing (startup and then steering about halfway through until end). Unfortunately when I record a video with my phone, the cheap phone mic and audio compression in the video make it sound much worse than it is.

Some folks tell me it sounds like power steering fluid being low, which the Yaris doesn't have right? Or maybe it's just a noisy EPS motor or things are easier to hear in the Yaris. Which by the way, when I'm driving around I do find myself freaking out more than I did in my other car, because everything starts to sound like it's coming from the car (other people's cars, the texture of the road, etc.) lol

I heard it. It's the 3 sort of scraping sounds? Is it happening as you cycle the steering wheel back and forth? Is it smooth when you turn the wheel, or any roughness?

I'll go out in a bit and cycle the steering wheel on my '08 and see if I have any noise. Mine is a lot older, so it may not be an apples to apples comparison.

[jowii]

Originally Posted by 06YarisRS

I heard it. It's the 3 sort of scraping sounds? Is it happening as you cycle the steering wheel back and forth? Is it smooth when you turn the wheel, or any roughness?

I'll go out in a bit and cycle the steering wheel on my '08 and see if I have any noise. Mine is a lot older, so it may not be an apples to apples comparison.

Thanks I appreciate it.

Yeah it's those sounds when moving the wheel any amount. It feels smooth, just makes sound. And it comes directly from the steering wheel column area. Doesn't make the sound when the car is off and I can move the wheel little bits, so I'm sure it's not something actually scraping in the column. Sounds a bit mechanical/electronic I guess. Maybe similar in ways to what I might hear in other vehicles with conventional power steering when turning the wheel all the way "full lock", but maybe more subtle. Not really sure how to best describe the sound.