2001 Toyota Prius Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 27%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,520miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Toyota Prius, 27% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,520 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was getting off the freeway and driving 40 MPH on the off ramp, when the 2001 Toyota Prius did a unwanted left turn of the steering wheel, I tried to turn the steering wheel back to correct the car angle, but he steering force was too strong for me to correct back to straight ahead, the left front car the concrete barrier, and the car turn 360 degree around. The rear right bumper hit the concrete barrier. Lucky there was no other cars around me.”
NHTSA complaint #11288564, filed 2019-12, 165,000 miles“I have a 2001 Toyota Prius. Sporadically, the steering will shake violently. It seems to happen when I turn the steering wheel. Mechanics cannot figure out what is wrong. This past weekend the power steering warning light when on and I lost power steering. It came back on when I stopped the car so it may be a computer glitch. The shaking is getting worse.”
NHTSA complaint #10294971, filed 2009-12, 59,000 miles“The steering wheel on my 2001 Toyota Prius suddenly starts shaking violently when I start up the car. It seems to occur during cold weather. I have to stop the car when it happens because steering is no longer possible when the shaking happens. This shaking has occurred at least 5 times. If I let the car warm up for a few minutes before driving it seems to reduce the occurrence of the shaking.”
NHTSA complaint #10311151, filed 2010-02, 40,000 miles“I have started having an intermittent power steering issue. As I am driving the steering wheel begins to shake and I receive an error message that there is an issue with the power steering system. Then the error clears and says the problem is solved. This issue happens intermittent and sometimes lasts longer. I know in the past there was a recall on the power steering unit in the past. I believe the previous owner had the recall service done, but I do not understand that if the service was performed why my vehicle is having this issue with my Prius.”
NHTSA complaint #10678640, filed 2015-01, 230,000 miles“I have a 2001 Prius. I bought it in 2003. Ever since I bought it, the steering wheel sometimes wobbles when I back up and turn the wheel. This has been consistent since 2003. This winter, when the weather has been very cold, the steering wheel has shuddered violently several times, wobbled while driving forward twice, and now the warning light for power steering is on. I am taking it to the dealer tomorrow, jan 21 2011. I have read about the wobbling steering wheel while backing up since I bought the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10378036, filed 2011-01, 34,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V304000Jun 1, 2011Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2003 prius passenger cars manufactured from january 28, 2000, through may 30, 2003. The steering linkage…Covers: Toyota Prius 2001–2003
- 00V285000Sep 21, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Insufficient electrical contact can occur in the torque sensor that controls the power assist operation of the…Covers: Toyota Prius 2001
Related service bulletins
- 10150008Sep 11, 2018Dealer Package: September 11, 2018 A watermark has been added to the Dealer Letter to indicate that ZTP expired on September 10, 2018. Toyota has received reports of customer…
- 10041274Jun 29, 2011Toyota service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Unusual steering vibration when the driver releases the steering wheel. 2001-2003 prius.
- 10041273Jun 23, 2011Toyota: unusual steering wheel vibration when the driver releases the steering wheel. Warranty extension.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 30 | 1% |
| 2009 | 13 | 3% |
| 2008 | 18 | 1% |
| 2007 | 34 | 2% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 39 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 2% |
| 2003 | 39 | 39% |
| 2002 | 80 | 48% |
| 2001 | 45 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Prius
27 complaintsTires
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsFuel system
12 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 29, 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