Most common 2001 Toyota Prius problems
Share of the 165 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Prius complaints by model year
Best Prius years: 2021, 2020, 2018. Years to avoid: 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2001 Toyota Prius recalls (3)
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
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 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.
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2001 Toyota Prius:
Pedestrian alert sounds
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.
What 2001 Toyota Prius owners say
Steering all 45 →
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.
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.
Wheels & tires all 30 →
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. I then found myself in a counterclockwise skid across the pavement as I left the pavement I felt the rear of the vehicle drop. Now spinning I bounced off a tree and into a drainage ditch with about 1 and 1/2 foot of mud and water. It was then I noticed that one of the wheels (left rear) had separated from the vehicle and was on the other side of the ditch. It all happened so fast I have no idea of the actual cause. The studs which hold the wheel to the axel shearedoff, ans axle snapped, the undercarrage and supports were tangled. Fhp officer at site indicated it could have been mechanical malfunction of some sort. Because of conditions I contacted Toyota as well as insurance co (progressive). …
This is the 3rd set of tires I have had to put on the car due to uneven wear. I only have 48000 miles on the car. The tires wear as though they are under inflated, but I am careful to be sure that I am following the manufacturers recommendation for tire inflation. Since this is the only tire useable on this car, I am very disappointed in Toyota's response to the problem. Since Toyota probably gave the specs to Bridgestone to manufacture the tire, it is Toyota's responsibility to assure that the tire was designed to be to have a normal tread life as well as help the car function efficiently. It is really tough to have to pay $80.00 a tire and have it only last 25000 miles. Yes I have had the dealer servicing the car and rotating the tires and the alignment is fine. The problem is the tire that Toyota requires to be used on the Prius.
Electrical system all 27 →
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Prius. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost all power and all of the instrument panel lights illuminated. The vehicle began to lose speed and the contact was able to safely maneuver it to the shoulder. While on the shoulder, the vehicle restarted without warning and reversed full throttle into the guard rail. The contact sustained head and eye injuries and a broken rib. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they performed a diagnostic, which did not produce any error codes. The failure could not be duplicated. The body damage was repaired at the cost of $500, but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer stated that if a failure occurred, the vehicle would correct itself and would not display any failure codes to determine the cause of the failure. …
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. You then have to press harder on the accelerator pedal to maintain speed. Well one day, the car stopped working, no matter how hard I pressed on the pedal it would no accelerate. I was on the highway. I took my car in to the local authorized Toyota dealer and was told that the accelerator pedal was bad and needed to be replaced. We replaced the pedal and experienced the same issues, and replaced the accelerator pedal again. I'm still experiencing the same issuses and the Toyota dealer said theres nothing they can do except keep replacing the pedal cause thats the code it is throwing up. This is a major safety issue for my vehicle as I can and do lose acceleration at any given time. …
2001 Toyota Prius engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 42 / 41 / 41 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Toyota Prius a good car?
Based on 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Prius rates better than average: 53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Prius at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Toyota Prius?
The steering — 45 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rack and pinion. Next are the wheels & tires (30) and electrical system (27).
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Prius have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2001 Toyota Prius, the most recent from June 1, 2011 (electric power assist system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Prius?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2020 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006 and 2008. See the full Toyota Prius years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Prius problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 61,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.