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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
91,145 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Toyota Prius electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Toyota Prius Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 172016

Prius

  • 166,914 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hybrid circulation pump failed. Three warning lights came on.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #12

Jan 062014

Prius 4-cyl

  • 143,769 miles
I was driving along the interstate I-75 returning from East ridge, tn, and the power steering light and warning lit-up on the screen panel. The steering wheel became very rigid while I was driving, and I had to clasp the steering wheel firmly to control the steering of the vehicle.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #11

Dec 042012

Prius 4-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
This vehicle has a problem with the hybrid battery causes a lot of problem in many of the systems, engine, computer etc and don't even has a 100,000 miles it suppose to have a long life, the dealer is charging big bucks in order to fix it and I don't see why it goes damage with such a low miles.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #10

Aug 152011

Prius

  • 241,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving the vehicle under speed limit when my steering wheel became stiff. I was driving when my steering wheel became stiff and after few seconds I was at a curve and was not able to turn left and went off the road into a ditch and colliding with an object. The car got huge damage and was not drivable and still in my yard.

- Women's Dorm, PA, USA

problem #9

Aug 052010

Prius

  • 157,600 miles
When driving in traffic hybrid battery completely discharges causing car to lurch when trying to accelerate. Once the car is out of traffic the battery over charges causing the battery to over heat and cause the cabin to fill with a scary smell of burning. The hybrid battery fan is on. Took to Toyota dealership paid nearly $300 for diagnostic and they could find no error codes related to the problem. Call chp to assist in tow to dealership.

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA

problem #8

Mar 082010

(reported on)

Prius

  • 100 miles
Consumers 2002 Toyota Prius loss of power at highway speeds and violent shaking in the steering system. The consumer stated the dealer made attempts to correct the problem by replacing the electronic module exchange and the gas tank. However, the attempts were unsuccessful. Also, the vehicle has an ongoing, unresolved problem with violent shaking in the steering system, especially the first thing in the morning and at other times during cold weather. The power steering will completely cut out after hours of operation, especially during hot weather.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #7

Aug 152009

Prius

  • 68,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact was driving approximately between 65-75 mph on normal road conditions when all of the warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Suddenly, a strong burning odor circulated inside of the vehicle and the engine began to overheat. The warning indicator remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The cruise control, power windows system and cellular phone power outlet became inoperative. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and turned the engine off. The vehicle restarted and resumed operation with caution. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure was contributed to the transaxle. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunctions. The contact previously owned a 2002 Toyota Prius and experienced the identical failure. The failure mileage was 68,500. The VIN was unavailable.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #6

Feb 182009

Prius

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator continues to illuminate on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the large battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also out of warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the out-of-warranty division, but they could not assist. The failure and current mileages were 108,000.

- Efland, NC, USA

problem #5

Oct 152007

Prius 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius hybrid. While driving 55 mph, the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel and began flashing a warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they informed the contact that it was safe to continue driving. The following day the vehicle was taken to another dealer and they stated that the steering gear box and electric system failed. The cost of the part is $1,800. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 85,000 and failure mileage was 83,000.

- Walpalle, MA, USA

problem #4

Dec 042006

Prius 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles
Incident: Car engine on 2002 Prius having trouble starting and dying after having been started. We were told that the "engine control unit" was showing an error and due to a manufacturing or software problem, could not be reprogrammed and had to be replaced.

- Plymouth, MN, USA

problem #3

Sep 062005

Prius 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact stated when the warning lights came on the car stalled and eventually came to a complete stop. On September 6, 2005 the car slowed down to 37 mph. The warning lights came on and the car stopped. The dealer said it was the accelerator assembly, which was replaced at the consumers expense. On November 14, 2005 the coolant light came on and the vehicle would not accelerate, and then came to a complete stop. The dealer said it was the coolant sensor in the transaxle. The transaxle was replaced at the contact's expense. After picking up the car on November 23, 2005 the problem stopped. Prior to September 6, 2005 the onboard computer was replaced due to the aforementioned problem. The computer was replaced under warranty. Updated 12/2705.

- Ogden, UT, USA

problem #2

Sep 062003

Prius 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
My Toyota Prius has had multiple automatic failures since it's purchace. You will be driving down the road at any speed and it shuts stalls. This has happened on the highway in MA., on the road in nm, on the highway in nm and on the highway in tx. I have been lucky so far that I have not been killed. I have complained to dealers in MA, nm, and tx and they claim that there is nothing wrong with my car. My car slows down to 40 mph going up hill which is also a danger when you are in a 60 mph zone on the highway. The mileage has been poor around 30 miles per gallon. Many parts have been replacedut they always say it is in my head that there is something wrong with my car. I picked it up from a dealer in nm and drove it less than 2 miles and it stalled while driving on a busy road and I again was almost killed. They mechanic told me there was nothing wrong with my car and that he was going to push it out into the road after he pulled out some parts I refused to pay for as I wanted to wait a day until I could talk to the Toyota 1 800 complaint line. This is a real problem that Toyota is not addressing and has taught their mechanics to be condecending and rude to female consumers.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #1

Oct 162003

Prius 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles
I June of 2202 I bought Toyota Prius. I was getting 44mpg on the highway and 49 in the city. Then the cold weather comes and now I get only 35mpg in the city that is a drop of over 28%. I have taken it back twice to the dealer and they supposely scope it and said that there was nothing wrong and that the cold weather was the problem. I told them that their excuse was lame and that was not exceptable. If a cars gas mileage drops that dramacticly there has to be a problem or their is a manufacturing defect. There should not be a 28% drop off in a car performance in cold weather. There advertisement pitch was that the car will get better mileage in the city than the highway because of their hybrid system, it did not say that the system only work in warm weather

- Woburn, MA, USA

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