I was driving on the 91 freeway west exit ramp to merge into the 57 freeway in Orange County ca. when suddenly I lost all power steering on the car . We managed to get out the freeway on the first exit
The worst 2002 Toyota Prius problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering80
- Brakes20
- Electrical18
- Tires18
- Acceleration12
- Engine11
- Transmission9
- Suspension8
- Fuel system5
- Airbags3
- Driver assistance3
- Lights3
- Body1
- Seat belts1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Toyota Prius
Power steering loss 15Loss of power 8Check engine light 7Jerking 7Stalling 7Brake failure 6Tire blowout 6Steering lock-up 5
Recalls 2
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 11V304000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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. The wire harness connector may not be sufficiently attached to the locking tab of the sensor wiring connector.
- Risk
- Engine oil inside the sensor wiring connector could cause expansion due to the heat of the engine and could deform the sensor wiring connector. The connector may become disconnected, which could cause the engine to stall while driving and not be able to be restarted increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on july 26, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 06V266000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2002 Toyota Prius
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Toyota Prius 136
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Obsolete notice
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life...
- Obsolete notice
2002 Toyota Prius fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 42 | 41 | 41 |
What 2002 Toyota Prius owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Anti-lock brake failure. Failing to pressurize.
Driving up and down a slight incline, power steering suddenly goes out. Only happened twice so far but I don't know what would prevent it from happening again. Probably going about 15-20mph uphill and maybe 20-25mph downhill. Happened on a city street.
Driving speed less than 25mph on familiar surface street with need to stop for a car about 75 feet (estimate) in front; should have been an easy stop; applied brakes but car accelerated (I think only electric motor); further brake pressure did not stop the car, continued to accelerate (estimate 30 MPH); fender bender crash of driver side front fender into passenger rear fender and side bumper. Very familiar with car (19 years driving it) and very familiar street near my home; confusion was not a factor; no airbags on either car activated; I was able to stop when I was beyond the struck vehicle. I plan on not driving car further and have asked toyota dealer to take it back for junk without a definite reply so far
I was driving on the highway and felt a jerking at my steering wheel a few months back, I thought ok maybe the steering wheel loose or something, I was going around 65 MPH. Fast forward to two weeks ago and the steering wheel completely locks up on me driving to a dr appointment I had to go to. I was going around 30 MPH in traffic the steering locked up and the triangle illuminated on my navigation screen and the dreaded trouble sign appeared. Once this appeared on my screen the steering wheel felt like it had no power steering. At first I thought, I need to check the power steering fluid, I researched and realized this prius is completely electric power steering. So I arrived at my doctors and turned the car off, when I came back and turned it back on to my amazement the light turned off and the power steering was back. Then the week after same problem happened, but I didn't have my obd 2 reader with me, so again I shut off the car and the problem went away. I started to do research and realized this is a serious common problem with the electric power steering, the computer chip that controls the steering malfunctions and needs to be replaced, so I came here to check if any recalls on my vehicle and there is not. The same problem happened again today, this time my girlfriend was driving and was going around 45, she said she almost crashed. This is a serious safety hazard and toyota appears to be behind the eight ball in this as I have read numberous forums of this malfunction, it's a wide spread problem and extremely costly to fix. This problem shouldn't fall onto the owners as it is the manufacturer's fault for not doing their due diligence and addressing this problem at the factory before mass producing and selling to consumers like I.
The headlight lenses covers repeatedly clouds over to the point I can hardly see the roadway at night. Dealer have cleanse the lenses how has last for about a month. The dealer now says these need to be replace at a cost to me for $750. I believe this is manufacture's defect and it is a serious safety issue for a recall. The dealer should develop a fix and replace these lenses without charging the vehicle owner.
My steering wheel starts shaking violently when driving under 32 degrees outside and locks up the ability to steer which can be deadly on the highway which I don't drive much luckily and toyota has no open recalls even though I'm not the only one with this. I've has to hurt my hands wrestling with it to pull over which is dangerous on some roads!!!! Very dangerous fault in a car this is the 1 part I rely on to save me! Can't believe toyota won't fix it!!! Also this happens a few times every week though out the entire winter! It happens when driving on winding road at 10-35 MPH and sometimes happens when turning right or left! I need advice!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. The contact stated that the electric power steering failed without warning. Also, the steering wheel veered to the right, which caused the contact to drive over a curb. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v304000 (steering); however, the vehicle exhibited the same failure as listed in the recall campaign. The dealer (larry h. Miller liberty toyota colorado springs, 5115 new car dr, colorado springs, co 80923, (719) 419-5832) indicated that the vehicle was excluded from a warranty campaign and the steering gear and computer may need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was not available.
While driving on the freeway in stop and go traffic the steering wheel started to oscillate back and forth it subsided however a few min later as freeway speeds were approached the wheel tried turning hard left then vibrated center to left. If I had been unaware this would have resulted in hitting the center divider at freeway speeds. A brief research online shows this is not the first known issue.. This was very similar to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv-ul1pxj1u very disturbing situation to be in - at first the ps warning indicator came on then said problem solved only to happen again (less pull the 2nd time but still noticeable.)
When making a turn at slow speeds there is violent back and forth uncontrollable movement in the steering wheel. You have to bring the vehicle to a stop. The problem is your in the middle of a turn or intersection.very dangerous,there are no warnings when this occurs.
Compare the 2002 Toyota Prius
Prius vs Toyota Camry HybridPrius vs Ford Fusion HybridPrius vs Honda Accord HybridPrius vs Honda Insight
Other model years
200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2002 Toyota Prius
Is the 2002 Toyota Prius reliable?
Owners have filed 167 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Prius, close to a typical Prius model year.
What is the 2002 Toyota Prius year score?
The 2002 Toyota Prius scores 71 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Prius: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Toyota Prius?
Steering, with 80 complaints, typically around 90,200 miles. Next is brakes (20).
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Prius have?
2 recalls, covering steering and engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Toyota Prius steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 11V304000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Toyota Prius have bad steering?
The Toyota Prius model years with the most steering complaints are 2002 (80 complaints), 2001 (45 complaints) and 2003 (39 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Prius get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Toyota Prius range from 41 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.5L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 42 city and 41 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Toyota Prius?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history