KnownCarProblems2001 Toyota Prius Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Prius, most often about the steering (27% of complaints, typically around 67,500 miles). It is 14th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2001 Toyota Prius problems
Steering
45 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, gear box (other than rack and pinion), electric power assist system, hydraulic power assist system.
Check engine light came on in vehicle. Took to dealer for service and was told the power steering rack had a malfunction and needed replaced. They replaced the rack and electric link assembly and did a front end alignment at a cost to me of $1500 dollars. The service advisor told US that this was the third time this…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Prius. While driving at any speed, the steering wheel vibrates. The failure worsens when making left and right turns. The failure has occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer. The current mileage was 69,110 and failure mileage was 69,012.
Wheels and tires
30 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
While driving the vehicle at 35mph, the front passenger tire blew out. (size # p175/65r14) (dot # unknown.) the manufacturer has been contacted. Please provide further information. Tires were rotated when the oil was changed. Dealer stated tires failed due to lack of rotation. On one occasion, consumer thoroughly…
Bridgestone potenza tires, p175/65r14- on july 28, 2003 had to replace tires on the 2001 Toyota Prius. One tire was flat. I noticed that the tire had a big crack and the cords were visible. I looked at it closer and noticed that there were cracks halfway around the tire. I looked at the other 3 tires and noticed that…
Electrical
27 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.
I have had problems with my 2001 peius for the past year with the engine stoping at freeway and local highway speeds. My car has now set at stanger Toyota in st. George for the past month with no cure for the problem. The dealership has installed a new inverter, traced all wiring, reset codes and still we have the…
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. L. Yes. Car has broke down several times since. The stalling is still a problem.
Speed control
25 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
I own a 2001 Toyota Prius. Several times in the last few months I have experienced a loss of power combined with my dash warning lights. I had one similar incident last year. The dealership claims their diagnostics find no problem (no codes = no problem). Therefore nothing is resolved and the car remains prone to loss…
2001 Toyota Prius: accelerator sensor failure for several weeks leading up to the failure, there was a slight (but definite) sensation of deceleration when trying to maintain steady speed. At the time of failure, the vehicle hesitated/stalled and the "master warning light" came on. Local dealer (355 Toyota, rockville…
Engine
20 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Problems started in november 2003. Had oil changed and an hour later all the warning lights came on in the vehicle. Immediately returned to the dealership where it took 2 weeks to replace the fuel pump (37,000 miles). Since then the car has been back to the dealership an additional 9 times to the current date (may…
My 2001 Prius has always been stalling (at least 30 times), usually upon startup, (and especially in hot weather when AC is on at startup) but on 4 occasions, stalls occurred during critical driving in dangerous areas resulting in total power loss and near death experiences. I informed Toyota president watanabe, and…
Brakes
14 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 125,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, foundation components.
Car rapidly accelerated without my foot on the gas pedal and did not slow down until my foot hit the brake. Brought the vehicle to mcgee Toyota and they replaced the gas pedal. It was a $600.+ repair. Within the year the news reported abnormal acceleration with the Prius line and I quickly contacted Toyota management.…
A renter from relayrides.com was driving my vehicle, the brake pedal went to the floor and the ABS, traction control and brake lights came on. Luckily he didn't have to stop immediately and was able to slowly get the car to stop with the bare little brakes left. There was very little braking power left, even with…
Fuel system
12 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
Ongoing and getting worse. 2001 Toyota Prius fails to start properly, stalls while driving, and more often than not features an engine warning light.
I own a 2001 Prius. My car has the same problem for which the NHTSA issued a safety alert in 2005, failure of the main computer, resulting in the gasoline engine's shutting itself off. The computer failed after one year of service. It took Toyota 18 months to identify the problem. I have invoices documenting all the…
Suspension
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The steering wheel on my 2001 Toyota Prius suddenly starts shaking violently when I start up the car. It seems to occur during cold weather. I have to stop the car when it happens because steering is no longer possible when the shaking happens. This shaking has occurred at least 5 times. If I let the car warm up for a…
The vehicle lost power when the consumer attempted to accelerate. Also the vehicle pulled to the right the tires were replaced several times and the vehicle had numerous alignments. The rack and pinion was replaced and the fuel tank assembly was replace.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Toyota Prius recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: Loss of power steering, particularly when an operator is actively intending to steer the vehicle, may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will repair the electric steering gear box.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2001 Toyota Prius
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Prius?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (45 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); wheels and tires (30 complaints, typically around 35,000 miles); electrical (27 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Prius have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 1, 2011 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Toyota Prius?
- It is 14th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints, with 165 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.