2001 Toyota Prius: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 165 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 degree around. The rear right bumper hit the concrete barrier. Lucky there was no other cars around me.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2019
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2019
“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 wall which deployed the bags. After reading online about these vehicles, the acceleration surging is a common problem.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 sprague ave, tacoma, wa 98409). The vehicle was not declared destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2017
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2017
“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 was approximately 13,620.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2015
“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 on the power steering unit in the past. I believe the previous owner had the recall service done, but I do not understand that if the service was performed why my vehicle is having this issue with my prius. *tr”Owner report · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, the breaks failed without warning. The breaks pedal traveled to the floorboard with no response. The contact then crashed into another vehicle and the air bag did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to salvage lot for further inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2014
“A renter from relayrides.com was driving my vehicle, the brake pedal went to the floor and the ABS, traction control and brake lights came on. Luckily he didn't have to stop immediately and was able to slowly get the car to stop with the bare little brakes left. There was very little braking power left, even with pumping. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. The contact received the recall notice associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11v304000 (steering:electric power assist system). An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed that they would inspect the vehicle before performing repairs. The contact stated that according to the recall notice, the dealer was supposed to repair the vehicle if it was included in the recall. The manufacture was notified and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not yet taken to the dealer to find out whether or not repairs were needed. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL CONTACT CAN OCCUR IN THE TORQUE SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE POWER ASSIST OPERATION OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GEAR BOX. THE TORQUE SENSOR COULD SEND IMPROPER ELECTRICAL SIGNALS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR BOX.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Prius by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Toyota Prius reliable?
NHTSA has 165 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Toyota Prius. The most complained-about area is steering (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Prius problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,825 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Toyota Prius have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.