VehicleVerdict

2001 Toyota Prius engine problems

The 2001 Toyota Prius has 20 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

20

Engine complaints

9%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Prius engine complaints by model year173 complaints2001: 20 complaints2002: 11 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 104 complaints2005: 80 complaints2006: 45 complaints2007: 54 complaints2008: 65 complaints2009: 27 complaints2010: 173 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 31 complaints2013: 37 complaints2014: 17 complaints2015: 7 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 14 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 6 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 3 complaints
Prius engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2001 Toyota Prius have?

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 2001 Toyota Prius engine — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Toyota Prius engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 06V266000.

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.