VehicleVerdict

2001 Toyota Prius problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2001 Toyota Prius sits mid-pack among Prius years: 215 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 211, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (49), tires & wheels (31), and electrical system (28), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

215

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Prius years?

Prius NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted3,482 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 215 complaints2002: 201 complaints2003: 123 complaints2004: 737 complaints2005: 1,298 complaints2006: 1,690 complaints2007: 2,451 complaints2008: 1,894 complaints2009: 644 complaints2010: 3,482 complaints2011: 662 complaints2012: 537 complaints2013: 533 complaints2014: 273 complaints2015: 210 complaints2016: 215 complaints2017: 127 complaints2018: 45 complaints2019: 51 complaints2020: 23 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 28 complaints2023: 25 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 28 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Prius NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prius years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Toyota Prius problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering4923%
Tires & Wheels3114%
Electrical System2813%
Speed Control2512%
Engine209%
Brakes178%
Fuel System136%
Suspension94%
Other94%
Transmission52%
Body & Structure42%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers10%
Child Seat10%
Airbags10%

Does the 2001 Toyota Prius have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V304000SteeringJune 1, 2011 · 52,377 units

Defect

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

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.

06V266000EngineJuly 19, 2006 · 34,771 units

Defect

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

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.

00V285000SteeringSeptember 21, 2000 · 1,772 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING ICON WILL BE DISPLAYED ON THE CENTER PANEL, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE HIGHER THAN NORMAL STEERING EFFORT DEPENDING UPON VEHICLE SPEED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR BOX.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 11, 2019 · crash

“MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS CONSISTENTLY WORE OUT THE FRONT TIRES ON THE INSIDE PART OF THE TREAD, NOT EASILY VISIBLE FROM THE STREET. THE TIRES WORE DOWN TO THE CORDS IN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR IN TIME TO AVOID IT. MY YOUNG DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 11, 2006 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WALKED OUTSIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WINDOWS WERE BLACK. SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND SMOKE BILLOWED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE SHUT THE DOOR AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE WEATHER WAS DRY AND SUNNY. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 3, 2007 · fire

“DT: VEHICLE STALLED/DIED, AND LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THROTTLE BODY MODULE FAILED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL BUT THIS INVOLVED A CHEMICAL IN THE PRUIS CAR BATTERY.*AK L. YES. CAR HAS BROKE DOWN SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. THE STALLING IS STILL A PROBLEM. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 25, 2005 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THE MEDIAN AAND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 16, 2017 · crash

2001 Toyota Prius — common questions

Is the 2001 Toyota Prius reliable?

It is close to typical for the Prius: 215 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2001 Prius problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (49 complaints), tires & wheels (31 complaints), electrical system (28 complaints).

Does the 2001 Toyota Prius have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Toyota Prius. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Toyota Prius under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Prius years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Prius years to avoid are 2010, 2007, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2011, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. The cleanest record among Prius years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.