2001 Toyota Prius Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 7%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the fuel system of the 2001 Toyota Prius, 7% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car is experiencing what is known onlline as the big hand syndrom . While driving, the accelerator pedal changes resistance and it feels like someone grabs the car and it dramatically slows. You then have to press harder on the accelerator pedal to maintain speed. Well one day, the car stopped working, no matter how hard I pressed on the pedal it would no accelerate. I was on the highway. I took my car in to the local authorized Toyota dealer and was told that the accelerator pedal was bad and needed to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11128777, filed 2018-09, 189,000 miles“My Toyota Prius 2001 has stalled twice, while on the freeway. I went from 60 MPH to 10 MPH within seconds. It was extremely dangerous. The gas engine shut off and all I had was electric power. Toyota replaced multiple computer parts both times.”
NHTSA complaint #10123886, filed 2005-06, 23,834 miles“I own a 2001 Prius. My car has the same problem for which the NHTSA issued a safety alert in 2005, failure of the main computer, resulting in the gasoline engine's shutting itself off. The computer failed after one year of service. It took Toyota 18 months to identify the problem. I have invoices documenting all the events that occurred. The dealer had me replace the accelerator pedal assembly at my cost of $450 and replaced the wrong computer (the one controlling the power steering). This month I gave up and had a competent dealer replace the ECM. …”
NHTSA complaint #10246780, filed 2008-10, 40,000 miles“Accelerator pedal on 2001 Toyota Prius failed. Toyota knows about the problem and refuses to acknowledge. They have had enough fixes that they had to go back and fix the repair manual. They chose to ignore the issue and say it's not a problem. Luckily I was driving on a non major road and was not killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10247848, filed 2008-11, 104,000 miles“The vehicle lost power when the consumer attempted to accelerate. Also the vehicle pulled to the right the tires were replaced several times and the vehicle had numerous alignments. The rack and pinion was replaced and the fuel tank assembly was replace.”
NHTSA complaint #10022058, filed 2003-08, 48,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2021 | 2 | 33% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 12 | 13% |
| 2016 | 6 | 4% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 16 | 4% |
| 2012 | 11 | 3% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 71 | 3% |
| 2009 | 24 | 5% |
| 2008 | 55 | 4% |
| 2007 | 28 | 1% |
| 2006 | 20 | 1% |
| 2005 | 28 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 12 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Prius
45 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsTires
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology