VehicleVerdict

2001 Toyota Prius steering problems

The 2001 Toyota Prius has 49 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 23% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

49

Steering complaints

23%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Prius steering complaints by model year81 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 49 complaints2002: 81 complaints2003: 41 complaints2004: 10 complaints2005: 40 complaints2006: 22 complaints2007: 33 complaints2008: 18 complaints2009: 13 complaints2010: 30 complaints2011: 7 complaints2012: 13 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 8 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 7 complaints2023: 1 complaints
Prius steering complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 2001 Toyota Prius have?

NHTSA has 49 complaints about the 2001 Toyota Prius steering — 23% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Toyota Prius steering?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the steering: 00V285000, 11V304000.

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.