2003 Toyota Prius problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (30) · Tires (8) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (6)
🧭 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
81 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 (133)
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 133 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-10-26 · Steering · 176,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 toyota prius. the contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the steering wheel began to vibrate with an unknown message displayed on the instrument panel. as the failure persisted, the message disappeared, and the contact was able to drive to her destination. upon restart of the vehicle, the contact received a do not driv…”
2020-08-31 · Service Brakes“occasionally, when braking, the car will begin to brake, then lurch forward a little, and then brake again properly. it's disconcerting at best and scary and dangerous at worst. i've had this brake problem for years but finally realized that it's a significant toyota flaw with the abs, and that newer priuses and lexuses were recalled because of a…”
2020-07-10 · Service Brakes · 151,000 mi“for no apparent reason when driving, the emergency brake will engage, without pressing the e brake pedal. also, intermittent once car is parked and doors locked, alarm will just start going off for nonreason.…”
2020-01-26 · Steering · 136 mi“it's mostly when i'm turning right the power steering warning light will come and there will be no power steering. i have see a lot of complaints with the same problem. sometimes as i was driving in the city or just as i'm starting to drive…”
2019-05-29 · Steering · 130,000 mi“we purchased a 2003 toyota prius in june of 2018. it has approximately 140,000 miles on it. when the weather started getting colder in october of 2018, the car exhibited the following problem: car steering wheel shakes violently for several seconds while exiting the driveway usually as we are turning the steering wheel. the vehicle was in motio…”
2017-07-31 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 123,200 mi“there is no thermostat gauge in a 2003 toyota prius , the car over heats and you don't know until your in the middle of traffic nearly getting killed. toyota was contacted, but say not a recall and they don't honestly car cause car is old . that's not right , anything you still use from cars or even medicine have later come back to hurt or killed…”
2017-02-27 · Steering · 174,000 mi“this has happened several times intermittently; the steering wheel shakes when backing out of the garage turning into the "turn-around" spot, it has also happened while turning into my driveway. mostly at slow speeds, there is a noise, grinding type, coming from the steering column. the dealer said the brakes could be doing it, so they replaced the…”
2016-07-01 · Unknown Or Other“i have no vehicle problems, but the safercar.com website won't let me enter my vin [xxx] , saying that i had to follow the format, even though a year or two ago it worked! what can i do??? information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr…”
2016-06-17 · Steering · 100,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota prius. while driving 10 mph, and making a left turn, the steering wheel shook violently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be found. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 11v304000 (steering). the manufacturer was not notified of the …”
2015-10-20 · Steering · 162,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota prius. while driving at approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel shook intensely. the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 11v304000 (steering), but the failure persisted. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vin was not provided. the approximate failure mileage was 162,000. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.