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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (3)
Steering: electric power assist system
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: LOSS OF POWER STEERING, PARTICULARLY WHEN AN OPERATOR IS ACTIVELY INTENDING TO STEER THE VEHICLE, MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy: 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.
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR BOX.
Canadian recalls (3)
Show 3 Canadian recalls
Steering
2011-06-01 · campaign 2011-212 · 940 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the nuts which secure the pinion shaft inside the steering gear box may not have received adequate tightening torque during the assembly process. If the steering wheel is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full-lock position, the nuts could loosen, allowing the pinion shaft to become unstable. This could cause a loss of steering power assist when making a left turn, which may result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace both pinion shaft nuts with improved versions.
Engine
2006-07-18 · campaign 2006-181
On certain vehicles, improper manufacturing of the Crankshaft Position Sensor body could cause engine oil to penetrate the seal and enter the sensor wiring connector. In addition, the wire harness connector may not be sufficiently attached to the locking tab of the sensor wiring connector. Engine oil inside the sensor wiring connector could cause expansion due to the heat of the engine and could deform the sensor wiring connector. In the worst case, the connector may become disconnected, which could cause the engine to stall while driving and not be able to be restarted. Correction: Dealers will replace the Crankshaft Position Sensor.
Steering
2000-10-05 · campaign 2000-220 · 159 vehicles
On certain vehicles, insufficient electrical contact may occur in the torque sensor which controls the power assist operation of the electric power steering gear box. This could possibly cause the power steering warning icon to be displayed and the driver would experience higher than normal steering effort. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, electric steering box will be replaced.
Owner complaints (165)
Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Prius (13 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries reported). Among 27 model years of this model, it ranks #14 for the most complaints (median 165).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Steering | 45 | |
| Tires | 27 | |
| Electrical system | 27 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 25 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 18 | |
| Suspension | 9 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 9 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 8 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Toyota Prius.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2001 Toyota Prius 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2001 Toyota Prius version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Prius 1.5 L Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 42 | 41 | 41 | $1,650 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.