This item is not a total failure yet but is headed in that direction. the power steering hose is leaking fluid where it joins the rack and pinion steering assembly. when the fluid all leaks out i will have no power assist in my steering and it could come at any moment. my local toyota dealer ( del toyota in thorndale, pa) reported this problem to me while this car was being serviced for an oil change. i have not had it repaired yet. a neighbor of mine told me that he experienced the same problem with his toyota avalon which was a couple of years older than my car. i am reporting this problem because maybe toyotas in my age region are also experiencing this same problem and toyota is not admitting to a component weakness in the power steering area and might eventually agree to fix it. i have noticed recalls of cars up to around 10-15 years old where the problems manifest themselves over extended time periods.