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2002 Toyota Prius

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Prius do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 164.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

130 reports with mileage · 37 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

18 reports
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166,914 miles · Oct 18, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

HYBRID CIRCULATION PUMP FAILED. THREE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI #10917169

143,769 miles · Jan 13, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE I-75 RETURNING FROM EAST RIDGE, TN, AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND WARNING LIT-UP ON THE SCREEN PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY RIGID WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND I HAD TO CLASP THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY TO CONTROL THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559537

95,000 miles · Jan 3, 2013
Electrical System

THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HYBRID BATTERY CAUSES A LOT OF PROBLEM IN MANY OF THE SYSTEMS, ENGINE, COMPUTER ETC AND DON'T EVEN HAS A 100,000 MILES IT SUPPOSE TO HAVE A LONG LIFE , THE DEALER IS CHARGING BIG BUCKS IN ORDER TO FIX IT AND I DON'T SEE WHY IT GOES DAMAGE WITH SUCH A LOW MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490855

241,000 miles · Oct 6, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNDER SPEED LIMIT WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND AFTER FEW SECONDS I WAS AT A CURVE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN LEFT AND WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH AND COLLIDING WITH AN OBJECT. THE CAR GOT HUGE DAMAGE AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND STILL IN MY YAR…

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I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNDER SPEED LIMIT WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND AFTER FEW SECONDS I WAS AT A CURVE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN LEFT AND WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH AND COLLIDING WITH AN OBJECT. THE CAR GOT HUGE DAMAGE AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND STILL IN MY YARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478896

157,600 miles · Nov 10, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC HYBRID BATTERY COMPLETELY DISCHARGES CAUSING CAR TO LURCH WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. ONCE THE CAR IS OUT OF TRAFFIC THE BATTERY OVER CHARGES CAUSING THE BATTERY TO OVER HEAT AND CAUSE THE CABIN TO FILL WITH A SCARY SMELL OF BURNING. THE HYBRID BATTERY FAN IS ON. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP PAID NEARLY $…

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WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC HYBRID BATTERY COMPLETELY DISCHARGES CAUSING CAR TO LURCH WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. ONCE THE CAR IS OUT OF TRAFFIC THE BATTERY OVER CHARGES CAUSING THE BATTERY TO OVER HEAT AND CAUSE THE CABIN TO FILL WITH A SCARY SMELL OF BURNING. THE HYBRID BATTERY FAN IS ON. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP PAID NEARLY $300 FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY COULD FIND NO ERROR CODES RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. CALL CHP TO ASSIST IN TOW TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365308

100 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

CONSUMERS 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER MADE ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC MODULE EXCHANGE AND THE GAS TANK. HOWEVER, THE ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS AN ONGOING, UNRESOLVED PROBL…

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CONSUMERS 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER MADE ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC MODULE EXCHANGE AND THE GAS TANK. HOWEVER, THE ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS AN ONGOING, UNRESOLVED PROBLEM WITH VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND AT OTHER TIMES DURING COLD WEATHER. THE POWER STEERING WILL COMPLETELY CUT OUT AFTER HOURS OF OPERATION, ESPECIALLY DURING HOT WEATHER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10317566

68,500 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 65-75 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SUDDENLY, A STRONG BURNING ODOR CIRCULATED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 65-75 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SUDDENLY, A STRONG BURNING ODOR CIRCULATED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL, POWER WINDOWS SYSTEM AND CELLULAR PHONE POWER OUTLET BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSAXLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS AND EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10310513

108,000 miles · Feb 20, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LARGE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LARGE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE OUT-OF-WARRANTY DIVISION, BUT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10259448

83,000 miles · Jan 22, 2008
Electrical SystemSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BEGAN FLASHING A WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BEGAN FLASHING A WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILED. THE COST OF THE PART IS $1,800. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10215661

94,000 miles · Jan 2, 2007
Electrical System

INCIDENT: CAR ENGINE ON 2002 PRIUS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING AND DYING AFTER HAVING BEEN STARTED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE "ENGINE CONTROL UNIT" WAS SHOWING AN ERROR AND DUE TO A MANUFACTURING OR SOFTWARE PROBLEM, COULD NOT BE REPROGRAMMED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177550

Official recalls

2

11V304000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jun 1, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

06V266000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jul 19, 2006

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.