2001 Toyota Prius problems
Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Prius. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 23% of complaints. After that come electrical system (13%) and tires (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 215 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 23% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 23 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 10 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 61,000 miles 134 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 9 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 27 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 25 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 22 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 9 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 6 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 134 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 61,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 68,000 miles (32 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 23 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 10 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2001 ranks 13th most-complained-about out of 23 model years of the Toyota Prius with enough data (130 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. While driving between 65-70 MPH, the vehicle did not respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. All of the instrument panel indicators illuminated and the engine suddenly stalled. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and the engine failed to restart. While the gear shifter was placed in park, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly and crashed into a guardrail. The driver sustained a whiplash and a police report was filed.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost all power and all of the instrument panel lights illuminated. The vehicle began to lose speed and the contact was able to safely maneuver it to the shoulder. While on the shoulder, the vehicle restarted without warning and reversed full throttle into the guard rail. The contact sustained head and eye injuries and a broken rib. A police report was filed.
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 few minutes before driving it seems to reduce the occurrence of the shaking.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, an unknown warning light illuminated and the steering wheel immediately became stiff and hard to control. The failure would occur intermittently and when doing so, the steering wheel would also shake abnormally. The contact would shut off the vehicle and when restarting, the steering would resume normal operation.