2001 Toyota Prius

▲ Better than typical

2001 Toyota Prius
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:38:43.747Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2001: 165 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2000	4
2001	165
2002	167
2003	99
2004	610
2005	1051
2006	1439
2007	2003
2008	1497
2009	502
2010	2819
2011	515
2012	419
2013	398
2014	202
2015	159
2016	154
2017	91
2018	35
2019	28
2020	14
2021	6
2022	23
2023	18
2024	22
2025	15
2026	5

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 16%

16% of complaints: steering — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20191212

TIRES 13%

13% of complaints: tires — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

EXTREME TIRE BLOW OUT(ONLY SHREDS LEFT)HESITATION RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC/GAS PEDAL SENSOR?*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030805

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

2001 PRIUS WAS PARKED IN GARAGE ~6HRS, FIRE STARTED AND SMOLDERED, APPARENTLY USING UP OXYGEN INSIDE THE CAR. I WENT IN THE GARAGE FOR SOMETHING ELSE, NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON AND OPENED THE CAR DOOR TO TURN THEM OFF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140219

MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING WHAT IS KNOWN ONLLINE AS "THE BIG HAND SYNDROM". WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHANGES RESISTANCE AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE GRABS THE CAR AND IT DRAMATICALLY SLOWS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180911

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%

11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190105

AT 45MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT, CLEAR WEATHER CONDITIONS I DISENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL BY TAPPING BRAKES. SO THAT I COULD ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010827

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20001027 — steering

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR BOX.

Campaign 00V285000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060726 — engine and engine cooling

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 C

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.

Campaign 06V266000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110708 — steering

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

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.

Campaign 11V304000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230127 — DP (closed 20230807)

Pedestrian alert sounds