← New search

2003 Toyota Prius

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Prius do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 164.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

81 reports with mileage · 18 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

99 reports
42,000 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN LEFT AND RIGHT AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE F…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN LEFT AND RIGHT AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10318478

70,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME, NOVEMBER 2007, STEERING RACK REPLACED FREE (STILL UNDER WARRANTY). SECOND TIME, OCTOBER 2009, STEERING RACK REPLACED FOR $1200. UPON COMPLAINT, TOYOTA REIMBURSED ME FOR HALF OF THE COST OF PARTS ($350). BOTH TIMES THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED, BUT I THINK IT MAY NOT BE REALLY THE FAUL…

Read full complaint

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME, NOVEMBER 2007, STEERING RACK REPLACED FREE (STILL UNDER WARRANTY). SECOND TIME, OCTOBER 2009, STEERING RACK REPLACED FOR $1200. UPON COMPLAINT, TOYOTA REIMBURSED ME FOR HALF OF THE COST OF PARTS ($350). BOTH TIMES THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED, BUT I THINK IT MAY NOT BE REALLY THE FAULT OF THE STEERING RACK, BUT A COMPUTER ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION WHEN ON THE FREEWAY. 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315801

68,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering

ELECTRONIC: STEERING IN MY TOYOTA PRIUS SHAKES AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT SOMETIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHEN THIS BEGAN LAST FALL AND THEY TOLD ME THE STEERING COMPUTER AND THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS NOT DANGEROUS BUT IT SCARES ME, ESPECIALLY WITH THE RECENT RECALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313437

27,770 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN I MADE LEFT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK AND I WOULD HAVE TO JERK IT BACK TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND THE STEERING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS APPROX. $2800. I AM MAKING A REPORT IN THE EVENT THAT THERE ARE OTHER PRIUS' THAT HAVE HA…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN I MADE LEFT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK AND I WOULD HAVE TO JERK IT BACK TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND THE STEERING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS APPROX. $2800. I AM MAKING A REPORT IN THE EVENT THAT THERE ARE OTHER PRIUS' THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311624

150,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AFTER THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A PATCH OF ICE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.UPDATED 03/30…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AFTER THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A PATCH OF ICE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.UPDATED 03/30/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/28/10

NHTSA ODI #10311313

43,746 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND MANUAL SAYS DO NOT OPERATE VEHICLE, PARK IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAPPENED ON MY 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS IN DECEMBER. FORTUNATELY THE DEALER WAS OPEN AND WHEN REPORTED SAID IT WAS NOT A BIG DEAL, THE CARE WAS DRIVABLE AND SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. IN SERVICE FOUND MASTER WARNING LIGHT CODES P0300, 301, 3…

Read full complaint

WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND MANUAL SAYS DO NOT OPERATE VEHICLE, PARK IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAPPENED ON MY 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS IN DECEMBER. FORTUNATELY THE DEALER WAS OPEN AND WHEN REPORTED SAID IT WAS NOT A BIG DEAL, THE CARE WAS DRIVABLE AND SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. IN SERVICE FOUND MASTER WARNING LIGHT CODES P0300, 301, 302, 303, 304, -3191, P33101, C1202 THEN NOTED "FOUND WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT TO CLEAN THROTTLE BODY (EG9016.5 01.99). WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE AND WAS PARKED IN DANGEROUS LOCATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ASCERTAIN WHAT STEPS TO TAKE IN LIGHT OF THE "DO NOT OPERATE VEHICLE" WARNING IN THE MANUAL. SAME SITUATION AROSE IN OUR 2002 PRIUS THIS DATE AND AWAITING RESULTS OF DEALER'S ANALYSIS (ALTHOUGH WHEN THE LIGHT WENT OUT THEY SAID WE COULD JUST AS EASILY CANCEL THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT). IN BOTH CASES SERVICE DEPARTMENTS SEEMED FAMILIAR WITH PROBLEM (AND MY SERVICE ADVISOR REFERRED TO IT AS A "SILENT RECALL".) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308477

1 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 2003 PRIUS. WHEN I BOUGHT IT, BEFORE I EVER DROVE IT (WAS SNOW AND ICE) DEALER TOLD ME TO BE CAREFUL OF THE BRAKES. HE SAID, WHEN APPLIED, IT MAY FEEL FOR A SPLIT SECOND THAT I WAS SPEEDING UP OR NOT STOPPING. THE CAR DOES THIS ON SLIPPERY AND ROUGH RD AND ALWAYS HAS. I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE NATURE OF THE HYBRID AND H…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2003 PRIUS. WHEN I BOUGHT IT, BEFORE I EVER DROVE IT (WAS SNOW AND ICE) DEALER TOLD ME TO BE CAREFUL OF THE BRAKES. HE SAID, WHEN APPLIED, IT MAY FEEL FOR A SPLIT SECOND THAT I WAS SPEEDING UP OR NOT STOPPING. THE CAR DOES THIS ON SLIPPERY AND ROUGH RD AND ALWAYS HAS. I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE NATURE OF THE HYBRID AND HAVE LEARNED TO DRIVE ACCORDINGLY BUT IT IS DEFINITELY A TRYING SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308347

135,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

ABS BRAKE FAILS FOR A SHORT TIME WHEN SLOWING AND HITTING A BUMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE PURCHASE (NEW) IN 2003. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10307862

118,000 miles · Feb 8, 2010
Steering

I HAD A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WHICH I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH. UNEXPECTEDLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND I WAS UNABLE TO NAVIGATE THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN A NEIGHBOR'S YARD WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY DEALER AND LE…

Read full complaint

I HAD A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WHICH I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH. UNEXPECTEDLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND I WAS UNABLE TO NAVIGATE THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN A NEIGHBOR'S YARD WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY DEALER AND LEARNED THAT THE STEERING WOUD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $1500 OR MORE. SINCE THE CAR HAD ALMOST 120,000 MILES ON IT, I CHOSE NOT TO REPAIR IT. MY DEALER SUGGESTED I WRITE TO THE TOYOTA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, WHICH I DID. AFTER A LOT OF WRANGLING, THEY SENT ME A CHECK FOR $1,500 TO COVER THE LOSS OF MY TRADE-IN VALUE BUT ONLY AFTER I AGREED TO PURCHASE A NEW TOYOTA VEHICLE. AT THE TIME, I LET IT GO, BUT REALIZE NOW WITH ALL THE CONCERNS BEING RAISED, THAT PERHAPS MY STORY IS IMPORTANT. THE STEERING FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH OR WHILE EXITING A HIGH SPEED RAMP. WORSE, IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE, WHICH I HAD CROSSED JUST 15 MINUTES EARLIER.

NHTSA ODI #10307446

66,627 miles · Feb 5, 2010
EquipmentService Brakes, Electric

2203 TOYOTA PRIUS CST BRAKE LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY HAD BRAKES REPLACED BY DEALER. BRAKES DID NOT FEEL OK BUT TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY BUT NO BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER CAR SLID THRU RED LIGHT AT INTERSECTION, CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. BRAKES STILL DID …

Read full complaint

2203 TOYOTA PRIUS CST BRAKE LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY HAD BRAKES REPLACED BY DEALER. BRAKES DID NOT FEEL OK BUT TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY BUT NO BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER CAR SLID THRU RED LIGHT AT INTERSECTION, CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK. DEALER SAID BRAKE HOSES WERE SOFT & SWOLLEN AND BRAKE CONTROLLER STICKING. REPLACED BRAKE HOSES, FLUSHED LINES CAP. BLEEDER PLUG ACTUATOR ASSY. CAR HAS 67,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10306335

Official recalls

1

11V304000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jun 1, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov 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, NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.