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.
Safety risk
LOSS OF POWER STEERING, PARTICULARLY WHEN AN OPERATOR IS ACTIVELY INTENDING TO STEER THE VEHICLE, MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR BOX.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Steering
26
109,000 mi
Tires
23
32,000 mi
Electrical system
19
43,200 mi
Vehicle speed control
18
70,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
12
36,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
7
63,932 mi
Steering: rack and pinion
7
30,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
7
45,385 mi
Suspension: front
6
3,000 mi
Service brakes
5
120,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
5
103,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack
5
60,649 mi
Tires: tread/belt
5
47,000 mi
Unknown or other
5
50,226 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery
4
74,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
4
37,700 mi
Equipment
3
35,974 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
3
48,000 mi
Service brakes, electric
3
113,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system
3
61,000 mi
Structure
3
42,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module
2
—
Engine
2
160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
2
—
Fuel system, gasoline
2
40,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
2
23,834 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
2
120,000 mi
Power train
2
104,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
2
—
Suspension
2
40,000 mi
Wheels
2
80,431 mi
Air bags
1
84,000 mi
Child seat
1
21,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
1
190,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring
1
70,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
1
—
Equipment adaptive/mobility
1
230,000 mi
Exterior lighting
1
—
Exterior lighting: turn signal
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
1
37,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
1
—
Fuel system, other: delivery
1
40,000 mi
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
1
159,700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
1
108,543 mi
Power train: axle assembly
1
—
Power train: axle hubs
1
90,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
1
175,000 mi
Steering: column
1
—
Structure: frame and members
1
—
Suspension: rear
1
1 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
1
—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
1
—
The 2000 model has 54 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.
