Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
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. …
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.
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.)
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!
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. ([redacted]) 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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Related recalls
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.
Steering complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2002 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Toyota Prius, 48% of the model year's 167 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Prius steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-304 (electric power assist system, Jun 1, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Prius steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.