2002 Toyota Prius

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 167 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,400 milesMedian miles at failure

130 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,00030,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering57
101
Tires11
000
Electrical System9
120
Vehicle Speed Control8
502
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8
100
Steering › Electric Power Assist System7
000
Steering › Rack and Pinion6
000
Suspension4
000
Service Brakes4
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
102

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Electric Power Assist System11V304000
Filed Jun 1, 201152,377 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

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.

Remedy. 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling06V266000
Filed Jul 19, 200634,771 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER MOLDING OF THE RESIN BODY OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENOR INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, ENGINE OIL MAY PENETRATE THE SEAL AND ENTER THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY ATTACHED TO THE LOCKING TAB OF THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR.

Risk. ENGINE OIL INSIDE THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE EXPANSION DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE AND COULD DEFORM THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE CONNECTOR MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Jul 2, 2023CA

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

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 17, 2022TX

Anti-lock brake failure. Failing to pressurize.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Sep 22, 202065,395 milesCA

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 FENDER INTO PASSENGER REAR FENDER AND SIDE BUMPER. VERY FAMILIAR WITH CAR (19 YEARS DRIVING IT) AND VERY FAMILIAR STREET NEAR MY HOME; CONFUSION WAS NOT A FACTOR; NO AIRBAGS ON EITHER CAR ACTIVATED; I WAS ABLE TO STOP WHEN I WAS BEYOND THE STRUCK VEHICLE. I PLAN ON NOT DRIVING CAR FURTHER AND HAVE ASKED TOYOTA DEALER TO TAKE IT BACK FOR JUNK WITHOUT A DEFINITE REPLY SO FAR

Steering
Filed Sep 22, 2020145,139 milesCA

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.

Steering
Filed Feb 2, 2020251,929 milesMA

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 LOCKED UP AND THE TRIANGLE ILLUMINATED ON MY NAVIGATION SCREEN AND THE DREADED TROUBLE SIGN APPEARED. ONCE THIS APPEARED ON MY SCREEN THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LIKE IT HAD NO POWER STEERING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT, I NEED TO CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID, I RESEARCHED AND REALIZED THIS PRIUS IS COMPLETELY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. SO I ARRIVED AT MY DOCTORS AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, WHEN I CAME BACK AND TURNED IT BACK ON TO MY AMAZEMENT THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. THEN THE WEEK AFTER SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE MY OBD 2 READER WITH ME, SO AGAIN I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. I STARTED TO DO RESEARCH AND REALIZED THIS IS A SERIOUS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, THE COMPUTER CHIP THAT CONTROLS THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONS AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, SO I CAME HERE TO CHECK IF ANY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOT. THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY, THIS TIME MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING AND WAS GOING AROUND 45, SHE SAID SHE ALMOST CRASHED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND TOYOTA APPEARS TO BE BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL IN THIS AS I HAVE READ NUMBEROUS FORUMS OF THIS MALFUNCTIO

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 25, 2020104,000 milesCA

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 DEVELOP A FIX AND REPLACE THESE LENSES WITHOUT CHARGING THE VEHICLE OWNER.

Steering1 injured
Filed Nov 22, 2019112,000 milesNJ

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!!!! VERY DANGEROUS FAULT IN A CAR THIS IS THE 1 PART I RELY ON TO SAVE ME! CAN'T BELIEVE TOYOTA WON'T FIX IT!!! ALSO THIS HAPPENS A FEW TIMES EVERY WEEK THOUGH OUT THE ENTIRE WINTER! IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING ON WINDING ROAD AT 10-35 MPH AND SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT! I NEED ADVICE!

Steering
Filed May 20, 2019CO

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 VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER (LARRY H. MILLER LIBERTY TOYOTA COLORADO SPRINGS, 5115 NEW CAR DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80923, (719) 419-5832) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM A WARRANTY CAMPAIGN AND THE STEERING GEAR AND COMPUTER MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *AS

Steering
Filed May 13, 2019140,158 milesCA

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 RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THIS IS NOT THE FIRST KNOWN ISSUE.. THIS WAS VERY SIMILAR TO: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=RV-UL1PXJ1U VERY DISTURBING SITUATION TO BE IN - AT FIRST THE PS WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON THEN SAID PROBLEM SOLVED ONLY TO HAPPEN AGAIN (LESS PULL THE 2ND TIME BUT STILL NOTICEABLE.)

Steering
Filed Apr 14, 201985,500 milesNY

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.

Steering
Filed Sep 28, 2018200,000 milesTN

WHILE DRIVING LOST OF STEERING MOMENTARILY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BUT THOUGHT IT WAS BELT SLIPPAGE. TODAY (9/28/ 2018) TOTAL LOST OF STEERING. WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUTOFF IGNITION SWITCH. STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN AND HAD NORMAL STEERING CONTROL AGAIN. AFTER REVIEWING RECALLS NOTICED THAT TOYOTA HAD TWO VOLUNTARY RECALLS ON SAME PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOW REMOVED THEM. WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR THIS PROBLEM. (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Steering
Filed Dec 29, 2017158,000 milesOH

VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO VIBRATE OUT OF CONTROL WHEN ATTEMPTING TURNS. THIS VIOLENT SHAKING POSES SERIOUS DANGERS TO DRIVER WHILE MAKING TURNS, AND CAUSES DRIVER TO PULL OFF OF ROAD AND COMPLETELY TURN CAR OFF. PROBLEM NOTICEABLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH INTERMITTENTLY BEFORE PROBLEM BEGAN OCCURRING WITHOUT FAIL EVERY SINGLE TIME VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. WHEN TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN BLOOMINGTON, IN, MECHANICS SAID ENTIRE RACK NEEDED REPLACING, ESTIMATING A TOTAL MUCH HIGHER THAN VALUE OF CAR ITSELF. NO RECALL FOUND FOR THIS PROBLEM, NO PAPERWORK PROVIDED TO CUSTOMER. ONCE CUSTOMER PAID FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES AND TOOK VEHICLE BACK, POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ARE PERMANENTLY ENABLED AND STEERING ASSIST IS COMPLETELY OFF, CAUSING TURNING TO CONTINUE TO POSE THREAT, ALTHOUGH STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT VIBRATE, YET.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 18, 2016166,914 milesMD

HYBRID CIRCULATION PUMP FAILED. THREE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.

Steering
Filed Sep 26, 20165 milesPA

I HAVE TOYOTA PRIUS 2002 I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY THE STEERING HAD BEEN MAKING LIKE A RUBBER-SQUEAK NOISE WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS.I WAS DRIVING, AND THE WHEEL STARTED TO SORT OF PULSE IN MY HANDS LIKE IT WAS GAINING/LOSING POWER ASSIST.ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, FAILED. BIG PS BUTTON ON DISPLAY, WITH THE RED TRIANGLE BY THE ODOMETER. THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN ALMOST HATE SOMEONE BECAUSE A LOST THE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THE STEERING WAS SHAKING.

SteeringCrash
Filed Apr 22, 2016100,060 milesWA

ON DEC 18, 2015, DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET WHICH CURVED LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2002 PRIUS BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND STRUCK A LARGE LANDSCAPING ROCK. THE CAR HAD $2233 IN DAMAGES TO THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER, FENDER, WHEEL AND TIE ROD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER REPAIR, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLICATE THE SHAKING. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PRIUS ON RARE OCCASION HAD BRIEF EPISODES OF STEERING WHEEL SHAKING, ONLY WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON COLD MORNINGS. IN EARLY JAN 2016 THE STEERING VIBRATION OCCURRED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND COULD BE STOPPED ONLY BY TURNING THE CAR OFF. WE CEASED DRIVING THE CAR. I TALKED TO OUR TOYOTA DEALER AND WERE ADVISED THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND TO CONTACT TOYOTA. I COMMUNICATED BY PHONE, EMAIL AND LETTER WITH TOYOTA, PROVIDED A VIDEO OF THE SHAKING, AND REQUESTED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I GOT A CASE NUMBER AND WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN INSPECTION BY TOYOTA AT THE DEALER. TOYOTA BY LETTER ON 3/22/16 STATED 'WE DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF ANY TYPE OF MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT.' WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE VIOLENT STEERING SHAKING OCCURRED IN THE DEALER'S PARKING LOT AND WAS WITNESSED BY THE TECHNICIANS. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO TOYOTA. IN 2011 WE RECEIVED BOTH A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE THE EPS PINION NUTS AND A NOTICE OF WARRANTY EXTENSION

Steering
Filed Apr 15, 2016170,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V285000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Steering
Filed Nov 16, 2015140,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK IN VERY COLD WEATHER, BUT OPERATED NORMALLY ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 3, 2015147,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING TURNS OR REVERSING AT A SLOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Mar 13, 2015197,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V304000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

Steering
Filed Mar 6, 2015137,000 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING ONTO THE FREEWAY, TURNING RIGHT ONTO THE RAMP THAT CIRCLED INTO THE SOUTHBOUND INTERSTATE WHEN THE A RED HAZARD TRIANGLE POPPED UP AND THE SCREEN ON MY CAR STATED PS ERROR. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED FOR A BIT BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS STILL ABLE TO STEER. I GOT OFF ON THE NEXT EXIT AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LOOKED UP THE ERROR CODE TO FIND OUT IT WAS POWER STEERING, I CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND EVERYTHING WAS OK. TURNED ON THE CAR AND THE PS ERROR HAD DISAPPEARED, IT DROVE NORMALLY THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. *TR

20 of 167 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20265100Routine
202516200Routine
202424400Routine
202319401Fatalities reported
202224100Routine
20216000Routine
202014000Routine
201930300Routine
201836100Routine
201791320Routine
2016154500Routine
2015165113Fatalities reported
2014207310Above average
2013409330Above average
2012422620Above average
2011518670Above average
20102,82210132Fatalities reported
2009502642Fatalities reported
20081,497467Fatalities reported
20072,003491Fatalities reported
20061,439651Fatalities reported
20051,051641Fatalities reported
2004610620Above average
200399100Routine
2002 — this page167245Fatalities reported
2001165330Routine
20004000Routine

Compare every Prius year →

Reading this record

5 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 1, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.