2002 Toyota Prius steering problems
Owners reported steering problems in 81 complaints for the 2002 Toyota Prius, 40% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 81 40% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 90,000 miles 72 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When steering problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 9 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 12 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 10 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 9 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Of the 72 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 90,000 miles, and 33% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury.
What owners wrote
My steering wheel starts shaking violently when driving under 32 degrees outside and locks up the ability to steer which can be deadly on the highway which I don't drive much luckily and toyota has no open recalls even though I'm not the only one with this. I've has to hurt my hands wrestling with it to pull over which is dangerous on some roads!!!! Very dangerous fault in a car this is the 1 part I rely on to save me! Can't believe toyota won't fix it!!!
The electronic power steering assembly malfunctions and stops providing assistance to the driver on a 2002 toyota prius, on one instance the gasoline motor stopped working and I was left driving at low speed with the assistance of the electric motor only. The latest incident occurred on may 31st, 2010 while driving at about 65 MPH on a freeway, the car lost the power steering operation, multiple warning lights came on the screen, the gas motor shut down and the speed of the car dropped to around 23 MPH.
Other problems reported for the 2002 Toyota Prius
- Brakes 22 complaints
- Electrical system 20 complaints
- Tires 18 complaints