The Lemon IndexAll cars · Toyota Prius · 2003
2003 Toyota Prius. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,000 and 43,912 miles. Median 19,940, from 16 complaints with a mileage.
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Tires | 39% |
| Engine | 17% |
| Steering | 13% |
| Electrical | 13% |
| Speed control | 9% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 1
11V304000 Jun 2011 Steering / Electric Power Assist System
Defect. 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. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Pedestrian alert sounds | 2023 | 2023 |
Manufacturer communications 133
Toyota filed 133 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Mil on condition if an abnormally low engine power output or failure
- Unusual steering wheel vibration when the driver releases the steering wheel
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Optional | No | No |
Engines and drivetrains 1
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios) | FWD | 42 / 41 / 41 | Regular | $1,500 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
YouTube repair topics
200 videos about the 2001–2003 Toyota Prius, 1.8M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 8 | 198K |
| Spark plugs & ignition coils | 2 | 126K |
| Starter, alternator & belts | 1 | 94K |
| Intake, EGR & engine sensors | 2 | 91K |
| Fuel pump, filter & tank | 3 | 73K |
| Cooling system | 3 | 35K |
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 2 | 29K |
| Brakes & ABS | 2 | 17K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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