2001 Toyota Prius Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2001 Toyota Prius recalls

Most common 2001 Toyota Prius problems

Problem areas named in the 165 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Steering	49
Tires	28
Electrical System	28
Vehicle Speed Control	25
Engine And Engine Cooling	18
Suspension	9
Fuel System, Gasoline	9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	8
Power Train	5
Unknown Or Other	5

What owners report

2019-12-12, Steering
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 FRONT CAR THE CONCRETE BARRIER, AND THE CAR TURN 360 DEGREE AROUND. THE REAR RIGHT BUMPER HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER. LUCKY THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME.

2019-09-10, Steering
STEERING RECALL I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO IT AND IT SAYS ONLINE IT'S GOOD FOR 10 YEARS AFTER RECALL DATE.

2019-01-05, Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGH SPEED ON IT'S OWN IN A PARKING LOT AND RAMMED ITSELF INTO THE WALL DEPLOYING AIRBAGS. MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING AND WAS SENT TO THE E.R. SHE WAS SLOWLY BACKING UP WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED FIRST IN REVERSE HITTING A WALL AND THEN SWITCHED IN DRIVE ON IT'S OWN WITH HIGH ACCELERATION RUNNING INTO THE OPPOSITE WALL WHICH DEPLOYED THE BAGS. AFTER READING ONLINE ABOUT THESE VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATION SURGING IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

2018-09-11, Electrical System
MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING WHAT IS KNOWN ONLLINE AS "THE BIG HAND SYNDROM". WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHANGES RESISTANCE AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE GRABS THE CAR AND IT DRAMATICALLY SLOWS. YOU THEN HAVE TO PRESS HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED. WELL ONE DAY, THE CAR STOPPED WORKING, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL IT WOULD NO ACCELERATE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED THE PEDAL AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES, AND REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN. I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUSES AND THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THERES NOT

2017-09-18, Service Brakes
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 TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (TITUS-WILL TOYOTA, 3506 S SPRAGUE AVE, TACOMA, WA 98409). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

2001 Toyota Prius questions

Does the 2001 Toyota Prius have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2001 Toyota Prius: Steering:Electric Power Assist System; Engine And Engine Cooling; Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion). Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Prius?

Based on 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Steering (49), Tires (28), Electrical System (28).

How do I check if a recall on my 2001 Toyota Prius has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.