The Lemon Index
200120031st generation
Avoid · most complaints: tires
47 owner complaints, first 3 years 41 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 542002 Volkswagen Jetta 2822002 Ford Focus 193
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Toyota Prius
- Steering rack / power steering34 complaintsmostly at 55,000–120,000 miles (89,000–193,000 km)
- Engine stalling9 complaintsmostly at 24,000–75,000 miles (38,000–121,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Prius (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 19,000 and 29,000 miles (31,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 47 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 11V304000 (steering) and 06V266000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Toyota sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Unusual steering wheel vibration when the driver releases the steering wheel”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 47 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 19K to 29K miles (31K to 47K km) on the car (29 of all 47 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Vehicle refuses to start. Towed vehicle . Replaced battery , problem re0ccurred. A
2002 Toyota Prius owner · NHTSA complaint 8012973
More owner reports
While driving in heavy traffic vehicle completely shutsdown. When this occurs check engine o/ battery lights illuminate. Please give furhter details.
NHTSA complaint 8004689
Two front tires wore out prematurely. Dealer says the remedy for this problem is to rotate the tires and keep the appropriate tire pressure.
NHTSA complaint 10034551
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 1.8M views · 2001–2003 Toyota Prius
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical198K views
Removing Toyota Prius 2001-2003 HV batteryTim Razumovsky · 120K views · 8 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors91K views
How To Replace a MAF Sensor on a 2003 Toyota Prius ( P3191 Code)sam1174 · 49K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank73K views
Toyota Prius 2001, Master Warning Light / Check Engine Light fuel pump problem ODB Code P3191John .Mitch · 66K views · 3 videos - Cooling system35K views
DIY How to change Prius Inverter Coolant Pump! On my Gen1 2003 Toyota Prius.RacecarAndChill · 20K views · 3 videos
Show 1 more
- Brakes & ABS17K views
2002 Prius brake pad and rotor repairWisco464 · 12K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2002 Toyota Prius Review, Walk Around, Start Up & Rev, Test Drivexoquixxoqafxo · 50K views
2002 Toyota Prius Hybrid Gas & Electric ReviewAuto Ad Builder · 50K views
2001 Toyota Prius review.Austin Kinser · 42K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2002 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Unusual steering wheel vibration when the driver releases the steering wheel
- Hv batteries have liquid filled cell modules, to prevent leakage from cells, it is very important
- HV Batteries have liquid filled cell modules, to prevent leakage from cells, it is very important
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Steering · recall issued 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2003 PRIUS PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 28, 2000, THROUGH MAY 30, 2003.
- Engine · recall issued 2006
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
Every Toyota Prius year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 24 Toyota Prius years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-prius/?y=2002" title="Toyota Prius reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="767" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-prius/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Toyota Prius reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Toyota Prius reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 229; 100 is average, lower is better). The Toyota Prius year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2021.
What are the most common 2002 Toyota Prius problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (32%), electrical (21%) and steering (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Prius have?
2 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Prius get?
41 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Prius problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 19,000 and 29,000 miles (31,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 47 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Toyota Prius have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Toyota Prius cost in fuel a year?
About $1,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Toyota Prius have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Prius year is better than the 2002?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works