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exact model and see every recall for it.
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 (1)
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.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
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.
Owner complaints (99)
Owners filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Prius (5 crashes, 5 injuries reported). Among 27 model years of this model, it ranks #16 for the most complaints (median 165).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Steering | 39 | |
| Electrical system | 13 | |
| Tires | 11 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 8 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | |
| Power train | 5 | |
| Service brakes | 5 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Toyota Prius.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Toyota Prius 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 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.