I was driving about 70mph along the beeline highway outside of phoenix AZ and negotiating a gentle curve in the road. It was about 1:30pm on a clear day. I felt a strong lurch (thought I had been hit from behind although I knew there were no cars around me) almost immediately I attempted to straighten the wheel and found myself unable to turn the steering wheel. The car mounted the median road divider, came down, spun 360 degrees and gently drifted to the side of the road. I was not injured but the car was totaled. I looked on line after the accident and did find some accounts of this kind of frozen wheel scenario with the lurch that I felt but also at much lower speeds. As I understand you keep statistics on vehicle malfunctions I feel it important to report this unusual accident to your Agency.

- Edgewood, NM, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Matrix. While driving between 25 mph and 78 mph the power steering would fail. Also the accelerator pedal remains applied, even after application. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the technician was unable to remedy the failure. The regional master tech sent by the manufacturer could not locate the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted again, but no assistance was provided. The current mileage was 26,000. The failure mileage was 2,000. The consumer stated whiled driving, she could no longer feel the tension in the steering that dictates the movement of the wheels. Updated evoq 05/27/10

- Santa Fe, NM, USA