2001 Toyota Prius: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 23, 2015 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 159,700 miles · CA

The car suddenly lost power without any warning while driving 65+ MPH on the freeway. The check hybrid warning light came on. The car became dangerously unresponsive, luckily we were near an exit and were able to coast to safety. The hybrid system was expecting information from the accelerator, and when it doesn't receive it, either the gas engine, or the electric engine, or both engines fail to operate. Toyota has service bulletin 2001 toyota prius unknown or other service bulletin 117006 action number: 635861 service bulletin number: 117006... Report date: sep 12, 2002 component: unknown or other.... Summary: some vehicles may exhibit a master, hybrid and malfunction indicator warning light on with diagnostic trouble code p1120. ,,, p1120 toyota description accelerator pedal position sensor is mounted on the throttle body and it has the 2 sensors to detects the accelerator position and a malfunction of the accelerator position. The accelerator pedal position sensor is connected with the accelerator pedal by the accelerator wire. The ECM judges the current opening angle of the accelerator pedal from these sensor signal inputs and it controls the throttle motor based on these signals. If the the p1120 code is stored, the ECM shuts down the power for the throttle motor and the magnetic clutch, and the throttle valve is fully closed by the return spring. However, the opening angle of the throttle valve can be controlled by the accelerator pedal through the throttle cable. I have since learned that the accelerator sensor assembly is probably at fault, which is a high cost item $300 dollars or more which toyota would balk at replacing in a recall. This happened once before, but I don't recall the date.....updated 08/24/15

Filed Oct 4, 2011 · Steering · OR

2001 toyota prius. Consumer states problem with the rack and pinion *tgw the consumer stated not long after she purchased the vehicle. She experienced problems with the rack and pinion steering system, including steering wheel shaking and loss of power steering. The consumer took the vehicle in for service and was informed the entire rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. The consumer believed the repair may be related to the pinion shaft problem that was just recently identified under a recall. The consumer is seeking reimbursement for the previous repair. *jb updated 12/28/11. *jb the consumer stated she began to experience the same problem, as she did in 2006 with the vehicle loosing power steering intermittently. The dealer adjusted the torque sensor and recommended a replacement of the sensor and the rack and pinion assembly, if the problem returned again. A few days after the sensor adjustment, the power steering problem did resume again, and it continues to go out intermittently. Updated 04/16/14

Filed Jun 7, 2010 · Steering · 109,000 miles · WV

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle lost power steering. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. Upon restart, the vehicle operated as normal for approximately 30 minutes before the failure recurred. The failure occurred about twelve times while driving for at least 30 minutes. The contact called the manufacturer who informed the contact that the vehicle was serviced by a prior owner for the recall 00v285000 (steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion). The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were approximately 109,000. Updated 10/20/10 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle still has not been repaired. Updated 10/21/10

Filed Feb 13, 2010 · Acceleration · 172,000 miles · MA

Driving my 2001 prius down rt 95 in ct. Suddenly lost power. I was able to drive - electric drive only, no gas power. I made to the exit in wesport and found a toyota dealership open. The diagnosis, via codes, was failed accelerator pedal. Resetting the computer and restarting the car a few times allowed it to work enough for me to get home. I have still not repaired the accelerator. Lately this problem happens nearly every time I start the car...the engine stalls immediately or loses power down the road. Restarting 2 or 3 times "fixes" the problem most of the time. My research has shown that this problem is common, and called "big hand syndrome" among 1st generation prius owners, and accelerator pedal repair is the common fix. I believe the 2001-2003 prius should be included in the toyota accelerator pedal recall.

Filed Dec 8, 2009 · Steering · 59,000 miles · VA

I have a 2001 toyota prius. Sporadically, the steering will shake violently. It seems to happen when I turn the steering wheel. Mechanics cannot figure out what is wrong. This past weekend the power steering warning light when on and I lost power steering. It came back on when I stopped the car so it may be a computer glitch. The shaking is getting worse.

Filed Jul 13, 2009 · Electrical · 32,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost all power and all of the instrument panel lights illuminated. The vehicle began to lose speed and the contact was able to safely maneuver it to the shoulder. While on the shoulder, the vehicle restarted without warning and reversed full throttle into the guard rail. The contact sustained head and eye injuries and a broken rib. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they performed a diagnostic, which did not produce any error codes. The failure could not be duplicated. The body damage was repaired at the cost of $500, but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer stated that if a failure occurred, the vehicle would correct itself and would not display any failure codes to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle back to the dealer for further inspection. The contact has experienced multiple failures with the vehicle since it was purchased. She is currently not driving the vehicle and it is at the repair shop being inspected for the reversing failure and for resetting the computer memory. The failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Steering · 65,427 miles · CA

I am the original owner of a 2001 toyota prius. In 2002, we experienced a shutter and loss of power steering when turning the steering wheel at low speeds. The electric motor-assisted power steering (emps) rack had failed at 13,396 miles. Toyota replaced the emps rack under warranty. In 2006 at 65,427 miles, we reported to toyota that the power steering failed while making a turn and the instrument warning lights illuminated. Fortunately, we were able to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. Toyota replaced the second rack at no charge. In 2008 at +105,000 miles, we experienced a noise in the front end that sounded like rubber bushings squeaking when the steering wheel was turned from left to right. Toyota informed us the emps rack had failed a third time. Toyota also told us that it is not their responsibility to correct the problem, but was willing to pay for the new parts and not the labor. A check of the internet blogs indicates that failure of the emps is a common problem with the first generation prius, first introduced in 2001. Numerous owners have reported emps failure on their vehicles. Second owners of the prius appear to be less likely to get a satisfactory resolution of this problem from toyota than first owners. Unexpected loss of power steering while turning the vehicle can be a scary and unexpected event potentially leading to loss of control of the vehicle and personal injury. I strongly recommend that the federal safety agency investigate this situation.

Filed Jul 22, 2007 · Engine · 40,000 miles · IN

My 2001 prius has always been stalling (at least 30 times), usually upon startup, (and especially in hot weather when AC is on at startup) but on 4 occasions, stalls occurred during critical driving in dangerous areas resulting in total power loss and near death experiences. I informed toyota president watanabe, and they recalled for the "crankshaft position sensor", to fix the stalling problem, but it obviously didn't fix situation because car is still stalling. Dealer is beyond ignorant and clueless and no longer worth talking to, as they are as informed as a rock on a cliff. I am wondering if dealer even performed the recall fix properly. Would like a trustworthy toyota technician from japan's tmc (a japanese person) to personally inspect my car.

Filed Nov 10, 2006 · Engine, Transmission · 104,000 miles · OR

2001 toyota prius sudden loss of power at highway speeds three incidents late aug 2006 first week oct 2006 second week oct 2006 in all cases vehicle will not start for 15 minutes but then runs normally. Brought to dealer after first incident and they completed a recall replacement of crankshaft position sensor. Brought to dealer after third incident they have been unable to diagnoses problem or reproduce after 90 miles test driving. Call to toyota customer service line revealed toyota has no central point to collect vehicle safety problems when specifically asked if toyota was interested in discovering the safety problem in my vehicle, the answer was "no" I have been reassured by toyota that the crankshaft position sensor replacement was performed properly there is no software problem with 2001 prius similar to the 2004 prius problem which resulted kin sudden loss of power and lead to recall action. They are unaware of any problem similar to mine with 2001 prius.

Filed Jun 22, 2006 · Electrical · 64,000 miles · UT

On june 6, 2006 I took our 2001 toyota prius to a local toyota dealer because it had been losing power while driving. The prius mechanic told me that it was "normal" and that there was "nothing wrong." I responded that I knew that something was wrong with the vehicle. On june 15, 2006 on the way into work, the car completely lost power while driving on the interstate. Fortunately, we were able to pull over at a relatively safe spot. Had it stalled in heavier traffic or in a different lane, we could have died there. The screen showed "main battery failure," and the car wouldn't move. I had it towed to the dealer. The technician tested it and the only code shown was an "accelerator assembly pedal." neither I nor the technician felt that this was the problem; the technician felt that the problem is in the inverter--the part that cycles power back and forth between gas and electric. However, toyota regional refused to replace the inverter, saying "we are not just going to throw parts at the problem trying to solve it." I was told by the dealer that I would have to replace the accelerator assembly pedal at my expense, even though that will likely not resolve the problem, because toyota "will not do anything else unless you do." this type of powering down and stopping is a known issue with toyota prius cars, more so with 2004-05 (for which an the federal safety agency investigation has been opened), but also with 2001-03. There were fewer of the 2001-03 cars on the road, so the number of reported instances is less, but the internet contains many complaints from toyota prius owners regarding this issue. This is a very serious safety issue. As prius cars age, this safety defect will become increasing apparent and hazardous.

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · 74,000 miles · GA · crash

Dt: vehicle stalled/died, and lost power while driving 5 MPH. Throttle body module failed. There was a the federal safety agency recall but this involved a chemical in the pruis car battery.*ak l. Yes. Car has broke down several times since. The stalling is still a problem.

Filed Jul 24, 2005 · 48,785 miles · CA

1. I was driving at sustained speeds of 55 to 65 MPH on an us route 101 for approximately 40 minutes in my 2001 toyota prius. 2. The internal combustion engine suddenly stopped operating, leaving only the electric motor operating. This caused a sudden loss of power and deceleration. 3. The accelerator pedal assembly had to be replaced. The old part is not available.