Known Recalls

Model year record

2001 Toyota Prius

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 215 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V304000

Steering: electric power assist system

Component
Steering: electric power assist system
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
52,377
Reported to NHTSA
2011-06-01
Owners notified
2011-07-08

Defect description

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V266000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
34,771
Reported to NHTSA
2006-07-19
Owners notified
2006-07-26

Defect description

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V285000

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Component
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,772
Reported to NHTSA
2000-09-21
Owners notified
2000-10-27

Defect description

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.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering26109,000 mi
Tires2332,000 mi
Electrical system1943,200 mi
Vehicle speed control1870,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1236,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic763,932 mi
Steering: rack and pinion730,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal745,385 mi
Suspension: front63,000 mi
Service brakes5120,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)5103,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack560,649 mi
Tires: tread/belt547,000 mi
Unknown or other550,226 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery474,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine437,700 mi
Equipment335,974 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly348,000 mi
Service brakes, electric3113,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system361,000 mi
Structure342,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Engine2160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2—
Fuel system, gasoline240,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery223,834 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2120,000 mi
Power train2104,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Suspension240,000 mi
Wheels280,431 mi
Air bags184,000 mi
Child seat121,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1190,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring170,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Equipment adaptive/mobility1230,000 mi
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump137,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, other: delivery140,000 mi
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter1159,700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1108,543 mi
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle hubs190,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1175,000 mi
Steering: column1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: rear11 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

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.