2001 Toyota Prius: engine stalls while driving

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Engine · 16,000 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owned a 2001 toyota prius. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH on normal road conditions. The "hybrid" (exclamation mark) warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Immediately, the engine stalled. The warning light remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The identical failures occurred on twenty separate occasions. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The engine started and resumed normal operation. The failure mileage was 16,000. The contact no longer owned the vehicle. Updated 4/5/10 *cn the consumer has since sold the vehicle. Updatd 06/14/10.

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 Jul 2, 2009 · Acceleration, Engine · 42,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota prius. While driving between 65-70 MPH, the vehicle did not respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. All of the instrument panel indicators illuminated and the engine suddenly stalled. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and the engine failed to restart. While the gear shifter was placed in park, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly and crashed into a guardrail. The driver sustained a whiplash and a police report was filed. The vehicle sustained severe damage and was towed to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was repaired for body structure damages. The technician performed diagnostic tests, but was unable to duplicate the failures. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer on five separate occasions for identical failures, but there were no resolutions. The failure mileage was 42,000 and current mileage was 68,000.

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 5, 2006 · Fuel system · AL

Repeated incidents of stalling of the gasoline engine. Battery continues to fuel vehicle at low speed. Will restart after shutting the engine off. Continues to do this at any and all speeds. Have had vehicle gas tank bladder replaced at our expense (over 600.00) computers replaced (multiple) on recalls. Not only a nuisance but very dangerous. Dealer has given no help in finding the cause.

Filed Sep 6, 2006 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

Engine stalling occurring randomly while cruising at highway speed between approx. 54 to 64 MPH causing vehicle to slow down on the freeway. This problem is potentially hazardous because engine stalls at freeway speed which could result in rear end crash from on-coming vehicles traveling behind at freeway speeds --- furthermore the vehicle must be stopped at the freeway edge to be restarted before problem is corrected. Restarting vehicle immediately corrects problem. However, this problem should be made a mandatory recall item. [prius scanner shows dtc code p1120 for accelerator pedal assembly problem and there is a manufacturer tsb concerning this problem (tsb eg018-02)]. This vehicle has had the crankshaft sensor replaced pursuant to the recent recall notice and the crankshaft sensor had been leaking oil prior to replacement. Also drivers rear axle hub bearing failed prematurely and was recently replaced.

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 Apr 8, 2006 · Electrical · 400 miles · FL

I own a 2001 prius purchased july of 2001 my wife and I have had a near stall so many times we have lost count. The first time was in the first week of purchase 2001 and we have had the car checked and have been told they cannot find the problem since they can not recreate the problem. I guess we have been lucky our prius does not stall completely just slows to 15-37 miles per then we have to stop and wait for the lights to clear. It has gotten to the point where this is happening almost daily. The last time we took it in for service and had them check to find the problem they did not inform us that there has been a problem all along. We love the car as far as mileage and enjoy driving the prius. We have always spoken highly of the toyota corporation but we are getting rather annoyed they cannot fix our problem or the problems of other pruis owners. We would like to know if toyota has sent out a warning to all owners. We have never been notified of any problems and we have owned this car for five years. We had one recall the batteries were redone, but no stall warnings. Thank you for your time peter kalous.

Filed Jan 23, 2006 · Engine · 100,903 miles · IL

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 65mph, the vehicle stalled and operated at a reduced speed which occurred without prior warning. During the incident, all dash panel warning lights illuminated. The engine did not stall out completely and the vehicle was driven to a dealership. The service department determined the electronic control module failed and needed to be replaced.

Filed Jan 17, 2006 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · CA

Dt*: the consumer stated there is an investigation pe05029 concerning the electronic control module. The vehicle displayed the same problems as indicated in the investigation, but was excluded from the special service campaign due to the VIN. The vehicle stalled at highway speed, operated at a reduced speed, and ultimately stalled out. When this occurred, various warning lights on the dash panel illuminated. The engine did not restart and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer replaced the electronic control module.

Filed Oct 15, 2005 · Acceleration · 60,500 miles · MD

2001 toyota prius: accelerator sensor failure for several weeks leading up to the failure, there was a slight (but definite) sensation of deceleration when trying to maintain steady speed. At the time of failure, the vehicle hesitated/stalled and the "master warning light" came on. Local dealer (355 toyota, rockville, md) replaced the part at a cost of $700.00. Should a part this expensive (and so critical to vehicle function) be failing at 4 years?

Filed Oct 13, 2005 · Engine · 28,000 miles · CA

My 2001 toyota prius has stalled twice at high speeds (~75 MPH) while on the highway. In both incidences it was only due to good driving and to luck that I was able to get off or to the side of the highway. I have contacted my dealer and in both cases they looked at the engine and claimed that they had never seem the problem with any other vehicles. I was to bring the car back if it happened again.