2002 Toyota Prius problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (57) · Tires (12) · Vehicle Speed Control (10)
🧭 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
130 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 (136)
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 136 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-07-02 · Steering“i was driving on the 91 freeway west exit ramp to merge into the 57 freeway in orange county ca. when suddenly i lost all power steering on the car . we managed to get out the freeway on the first exit …”
2022-02-17 · Service Brakes“anti-lock brake failure. failing to pressurize.…”
2020-09-22 · Steering · 145,139 mi“driving up and down a slight incline, power steering suddenly goes out. only happened twice so far but i don't know what would prevent it from happening again. probably going about 15-20mph uphill and maybe 20-25mph downhill. happened on a city street.…”
2020-09-22 · Vehicle Speed Control · 65,395 mi · 💥 crash“driving speed less than 25mph on familiar surface street with need to stop for a car about 75 feet (estimate) in front; should have been an easy stop; applied brakes but car accelerated (i think only electric motor); further brake pressure did not stop the car, continued to accelerate (estimate 30 mph); fender bender crash of driver side front fend…”
2020-02-02 · Steering · 251,929 mi“i was driving on the highway and felt a jerking at my steering wheel a few months back, i thought ok maybe the steering wheel loose or something, i was going around 65 mph. fast forward to two weeks ago and the steering wheel completely locks up on me driving to a dr appointment i had to go to. i was going around 30 mph in traffic the steering lock…”
2020-01-25 · Exterior Lighting · 104,000 mi“the headlight lenses covers repeatedly clouds over to the point i can hardly see the roadway at night. dealer have cleanse the lenses how has last for about a month. the dealer now says these need to be replace at a cost to me for $750. i believe this is manufacture's defect and it is a serious safety issue for a recall. the dealer should devel…”
2019-11-22 · Steering · 112,000 mi“my steering wheel starts shaking violently when driving under 32 degrees outside and locks up the ability to steer which can be deadly on the highway which i don't drive much luckily and toyota has no open recalls even though i'm not the only one with this. i've has to hurt my hands wrestling with it to pull over which is dangerous on some roads!!!…”
2019-05-20 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. the contact stated that the electric power steering failed without warning. also, the steering wheel veered to the right, which caused the contact to drive over a curb. the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 11v304000 (steering); however, the…”
2019-05-13 · Steering · 140,158 mi“while driving on the freeway in stop and go traffic the steering wheel started to oscillate back and forth it subsided however a few min later as freeway speeds were approached the wheel tried turning hard left then vibrated center to left. if i had been unaware this would have resulted in hitting the center divider at freeway speeds. a brief res…”
2019-04-14 · Steering · 85,500 mi“when making a turn at slow speeds there is violent back and forth uncontrollable movement in the steering wheel. you have to bring the vehicle to a stop. the problem is your in the middle of a turn or intersection.very dangerous,there are no warnings when this occurs.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.