2001 Toyota Prius Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,272miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Toyota Prius, 3% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,272 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.
“The car suddenly lost power without any warning while driving 65+ MPH on the freeway. The check hybrid warning light came on. The car became dangerously unresponsive, luckily we were near an exit and were able to coast to safety. The hybrid system was expecting information from the accelerator, and when it doesn't receive it, either the gas engine, or the electric engine, or both engines fail to operate. Toyota has service bulletin 2001 Toyota Prius unknown or other service bulletin 117006 action number: 635861 service bulletin number: 117006... …”
NHTSA complaint #10726901, filed 2015-06, 159,700 miles“2001 Toyota Prius sudden loss of power at highway speeds three incidents late aug 2006 first week oct 2006 second week oct 2006 in all cases vehicle will not start for 15 minutes but then runs normally. Brought to dealer after first incident and they completed a recall replacement of crankshaft position sensor. Brought to dealer after third incident they have been unable to diagnoses problem or reproduce after 90 miles test driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10173144, filed 2006-11, 104,000 miles“Potential for fatal injury due to loss of control because of faulty driver's side rear axle hub bearing failure with separation of wheel from vehicle at 137,758 miles (such bearings should have effective life, or mtbf, of greater than 300,000 miles) -- intermittent noise began in 2003 and continued to get progressively worse culminating in 80-100 decibel sound level in passenger compartment -- inspection of vehicle indicated rear axle hub bearing grinding noise on drivers side rear axle hub -- replaced rear axle hub assembly on august 17, 2006 and noise is now completely gone -- the removed…”
NHTSA complaint #10166051, filed 2006-08, 90,000 miles“At 45mph on dry pavement, clear weather conditions I disengaged cruise control by tapping brakes. So that I could accelerate into traffic. The vehicle pulled hard to the left. I then found myself in a counterclockwise skid across the pavement as I left the pavement I felt the rear of the vehicle drop. Now spinning I bounced off a tree and into a drainage ditch with about 1 and 1/2 foot of mud and water. It was then I noticed that one of the wheels (left rear) had separated from the vehicle and was on the other side of the ditch. It all happened so fast I have no idea of the actual cause. …”
NHTSA complaint #750847, filed 2001-08Related service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 13% |
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 14% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% |
| 2016 | 15 | 10% |
| 2015 | 13 | 8% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 14 | 3% |
| 2012 | 21 | 5% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 79 | 3% |
| 2009 | 22 | 4% |
| 2008 | 54 | 4% |
| 2007 | 41 | 2% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 41 | 4% |
| 2004 | 34 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 9 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Prius
45 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsTires
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsOther or unknown
6 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