KnownCarProblems2002 Toyota Prius Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 167 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Prius, most often about the steering (48% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is 12th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Toyota Prius problems
Steering
80 complaints · 48%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, electric power assist system, hydraulic power assist system, linkages.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH when the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack would need to be replaced. The dealer deemed as unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius which was purchased in january 2002. He stated that there was excessive shaking in the steering wheel. While driving approximately 25 MPH, a warning light illuminated indicating that there was a loss of power steering. Intermittently the steering wheel becomes difficult to control…
Electrical
18 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 88,500 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
Incident: car engine on 2002 Prius having trouble starting and dying after having been started. We were told that the "engine control unit" was showing an error and due to a manufacturing or software problem, could not be reprogrammed and had to be replaced.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius hybrid. While driving 55 MPH, the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel and began flashing a warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they informed the contact that it was safe to continue driving. The following day the vehicle was taken to another dealer…
Wheels and tires
18 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 23,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, sidewall, pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
Two bridgestone potenza re92 [p175/65 r14 84s, dot el(pjdh4801] tires failed on my 2002 Prius within one week. These are the tires installed on the vehicle when we bought it. Our vehicle currently has slightly less than 25,000 miles on the odometer and is driven primarily for commuting on freeways. We discovered the…
Several months ago I had a blow out on my left rear tire. Those things happen- so I replaced the tire, glad that there were no injuries or damage. Two weeks ago the same thing happened on the left front. Whn I went to the dealer I was advised to keep the tires inflated to 45lbs though the owner's manual (on my 2002…
Brakes
18 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
I believe Toyota has known of the braking problem all along. I purchased new, a 2002 Prius. In 2008 my anti-locking brake system went out. The service mgr. Told me it needed a new relay, and he could fix it for $1700. I have never in my life seen a relay costing $1700. My brakes still worked, just not properly so I…
While decelerating and driving over speed bump/raised cross walk, brakes feel like they release and the car surges forward. Has happened on a regular basis when similar conditions exist (pot holes, or anything that might cause loss of traction on 1 wheel). Dealer insists that this is "normal" for anit-lock brakes.…
Speed control
12 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
I had just left one area of a parking lot and was traveling to another at a low rate of speed (5 to 15 MPH) so my 2002 Toyota Prius was running under electrical power. I turned right to pull into a parking space between two suvs, coasting in with my foot over the break pedal. When I was more than halfway into the…
I believe Toyota has known of the braking problem all along. I purchased new, a 2002 Prius. In 2008 my anti-locking brake system went out. The service mgr. Told me it needed a new relay, and he could fix it for $1700. I have never in my life seen a relay costing $1700. My brakes still worked, just not properly so I…
Engine
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Nhtsa released a report on Toyota Prius 2002 recall last july 06 and Toyota will recall this by aug 06, but there not doing it. Vehicle safety defect/noncompliance notices received during july ... ... 34,771 my 2001-2002 echo and Prius passenger vehicles. ... Which could cause the engine to stall while driving ... The…
The check engine light on my car came on and the engine stalled. The car had to be towed to the dealer. The car was repaired at a cost to me of $1100. The throttle body had to be replace, and also the ECM. The car only has 75000 miles.
Transmission
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact was driving approximately between 65-75 MPH on normal road conditions when all of the warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Suddenly, a strong burning odor circulated inside of the vehicle and the engine began to overheat. The warning indicator…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the steering wheel jerked violently when making sharp right and left turns. During this failure the power steering indicator dimmed. The dealer stated that the torque converter sensor provided abnormal readings. The current mileage was 103,000, and failure…
Suspension
8 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: rear, front.
Severe vibration in the steering wheel. This occurred when vehicle was in reverse at low speeds. Dealership was unable to resolve the problem.
Complaint and request for repair without charge for leakage of rear shocks on 2002 Prius. The consumer requested reimbursement.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 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.
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 2002 Toyota Prius
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Prius?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (80 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); electrical (18 complaints, typically around 88,500 miles); wheels and tires (18 complaints, typically around 23,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Prius have?
- 2 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 2002 a bad year for the Toyota Prius?
- It is 12th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints, with 167 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.