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 2003 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate with an unknown message displayed on the instrument panel. As the failure persisted, the message disappeared, and the contact was able to drive to her destination. Upon restart of the vehicle, the contact received a do not drive message on the instrument panel with the steering wheel vibrating. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective steering sensor. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V304000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.
We purchased a 2003 Toyota Prius in June of 2018. It has approximately 140,000 miles on it. When the weather started getting colder in October of 2018, the car exhibited the following problem: car steering wheel shakes violently for several seconds while exiting the driveway usually as we are turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was in motion when the shaking occurred and it was often after making a turn and/or straightening the steering wheel. In order to stop the shaking, the car has to be stopped. We have done some searches online and it appears that this problem is common for the 2003 Toyota Prius. However, we called 3 dealers and they all say they don't know about it and they have to see the car as it is shaking to determine the cause of the issue. Since the weather is now warmer, it is unlikely it will occur unless we get a cold morning. …
This has happened several times intermittently; the steering wheel shakes when backing out of the garage turning into the "turn-around" spot, it has also happened while turning into my driveway. Mostly at slow speeds, there is a noise, grinding type, coming from the steering column. The dealer said the brakes could be doing it, so they replaced the front pads and re-surfaced the rotors, (after the $175) the problem persists. When I put my VIN into the NHTSA website, they tell me there is no recall but on .NHTSA.gov/recalls#vehicle it is included, by year and it must have been made before 12-31-2002 because that's when we got it. Most recently on 02/27/2017, but has been going since nov. Of 2016
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius. While driving approximately 35 MPH, an unknown warning message displayed and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted and functioned as normal. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V304000 (steering). The failure mileage was 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius. While driving 10 MPH, and making a left turn, the steering wheel shook violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be found. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V304000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel shook intensely. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 11V304000 (steering), but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.
It's mostly when I'm turning right the power steering warning light will come and there will be no power steering. I have see a lot of complaints with the same problem. Sometimes as I was driving in the city or just as I'm starting to drive
My tires were worn to the cords, all four of them, on both sides, the inside was worse. I took it to the dealer (Toyota of glendora) and asked them to check it and the alignment, among other things. I had just 22,667.0 miles on it. They called me and said the tires were just "worn out" and that there was nothing wrong with the alignment. I took it to Firestone (who warrantied the tires) and was told by 3 different professionals there that the tires were not worn out, that the side walls were destroyed due to faulty alignment. I had to pay for 4 new tires and an alignment. I wrote to Toyota who referred me back to Toyota of glendora. Toyota of glendora contacted me by phone and denied ever telling me there was nothing wrong with the alignment. They claimed they couldn't fix the alignment because all 4 tires were bad. …
I currently own a 2003 Toyota Prius with about 76,000 miles. I am active duty military currently stationed in Germany. I have encountered a steering problem where the steering wheel shutters and shakes as if you are driving on rough terrain. It usually occurs between 5 MPH and 30 MPH while in a turn. When this occurs you temporarily lose control of the steering and potentially, the car. After doing some cursory research on line this appears to be a recurring problem with the Toyota Prius (http://priuschat.com/forums/care-maintenance-troubleshooting/36358-03-power-steering.html ) I think it has also been an issue with the 2001-2002 models that have been recalled for this problem but not for the 2003 and beyond. I believe that this does affect the ability for the car to be driven safely. …
2003 Prius hybrid; steering wheel shudders quite frequently; this shuddering happens backing up and turning corners; sometimes it shakes so violently the steering wheel is pulled from your hands; we contacted Toyota and several dealerships; no recalls on this vehicle for this problem because they said it was fixed on the 2002 models; our vehicle only has 33K miles on it and there is a part failure with the potential for causing a life threatening incident to take place; Toyota and dealership reps take no responsibility for this safety issue; told we can have steering replaced for about $3K even though car only has 33K miles on it; May not fix the problem they said; we are afraid to drive the car and to sell it to someone else because of this safety issue; this is a serious problem with cases listed all over the internet; Toyota rep said there have been no complaints; they know it …
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 2003 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Toyota Prius, 39% of the model year's 99 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 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 2003 Toyota Prius steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.