Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Toyota Prius

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 123 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering3284,000 mi
Electrical system12108,000 mi
Tires818,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic6100 mi
Engine and engine cooling5107,000 mi
Service brakes585,377 mi
Steering: electric power assist system5100,970 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine471,000 mi
Vehicle speed control443,745 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3116,289 mi
Service brakes, electric383,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion342,000 mi
Unknown or other356,488 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)295,234 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline243,912 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility2115,000 mi
Power train261,716 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module2100 mi
Air bags1160,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Equipment166,627 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting168,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline143,745 mi
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Fuel/propulsion system1123,200 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift130,000 mi
Seat belts1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Structure: body1136,720 mi
Suspension116,000 mi
Suspension: rear119,940 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems110,719 mi
Tires: sidewall1—
Tires: tread/belt15,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control16,500 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about a fifth as many 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.