2001 Toyota Prius problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (24) · Tires (22) · Vehicle Speed Control (17)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Prius model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
106 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2011-06-01 · campaign 11V304000 · 52,377 vehicles
Defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2003 PRIUS PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 28, 2000, THROUGH MAY 30, 2003. THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY LOOSEN, RESULTING IN REDUCED ELECTRIC STEERING ASSISTANCE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN.
Risk: LOSS OF POWER STEERING, PARTICULARLY WHEN AN OPERATOR IS ACTIVELY INTENDING TO STEER THE VEHICLE, MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUTS IN THE STEERING LINKAGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Service bulletins (154)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Showing the 6 most recent of 154 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-12-12 · Steering · 165,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was getting off the freeway and driving 40 mph on the off ramp, when the 2001 toyota prius did a unwanted left turn of the steering wheel, i tried to turn the steering wheel back to correct the car angle, but he steering force was too strong for me to correct back to straight ahead, the left front car the concrete barrier, and the car turn 360 de…”
2019-09-10 · Steering“steering recall i called toyota they said they couldn't do it and it says online it's good for 10 years after recall date.…”
2019-01-05 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“the car accelerated without warning at high speed on it's own in a parking lot and rammed itself into the wall deploying airbags. my mother was driving and was sent to the e.r. she was slowly backing up when the car accelerated first in reverse hitting a wall and then switched in drive on it's own with high acceleration running into the opposite wa…”
2018-09-11 · Vehicle Speed Control · 189,000 mi“my car is experiencing what is known onlline as "the big hand syndrom". while driving, the accelerator pedal changes resistance and it feels like someone grabs the car and it dramatically slows. you then have to press harder on the accelerator pedal to maintain speed. well one day, the car stopped working, no matter how hard i pressed on the pedal …”
2017-09-18 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. while driving 20 mph, the vehicle lost complete power and braking ability without warning. as a result, the contact drove over the median aand crashed into a pole. the air bags deployed. a police report was filed. there were no injuries. the vehicle was towed to the local dealer (titus-will toyota, 3506 s s…”
2017-02-10 · Steering · 143,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. while driving 65 mph, the steering wheel shook violently without warning. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was invalid. the failure mileage was 143,000. …”
2016-10-22 · Steering“ps warning light display, car will not start. parked in home drive way.…”
2015-11-16 · Steering · 13,620 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. the contact stated that the steering wheel became stiff while making a left turn and the power steering light illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 11v304000 (steering). the failure mileage…”
2015-06-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 159,700 mi“the car suddenly lost power without any warning while driving 65+ mph on the freeway. the check hybrid warning light came on. the car became dangerously unresponsive, luckily we were near an exit and were able to coast to safety. the hybrid system was expecting information from the accelerator, and when it doesn't receive it, either the gas engine,…”
2015-01-23 · Steering · 230,000 mi“i have started having an intermittent power steering issue. as i am driving the steering wheel begins to shake and i receive an error message that there is an issue with the power steering system. then the error clears and says the problem is solved. this issue happens intermittent and sometimes lasts longer. i know in the past there was a recall o…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.