2001 Toyota Prius Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 15%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,189miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2001 Toyota Prius, 15% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,189 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On two occasions, I experienced unintended acceleration in my 2001 Toyota Prius. The first time it happened, it happened I thought I might have pressed the accelerator by mistake. I had to slam on the brakes to stop the car. I didn't believe anyone would believe my story because of the audi 5000 incidents. Then it happened again. Then Toyota began its recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #10318139, filed 2010-03, 70,000 miles“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“I own a 2001 Toyota Prius. Several times in the last few months I have experienced a loss of power combined with my dash warning lights. I had one similar incident last year. The dealership claims their diagnostics find no problem (no codes = no problem). Therefore nothing is resolved and the car remains prone to loss of power, a dangerous condition when traveling on any freeway.”
NHTSA complaint #10123954, filed 2005-06, 55,000 miles“(1) normal driving, no abnormalities whatsoever (2) at freeway speed, in busy traffic, without warning: the car lost all motive power (neither gas nor electric working); the hybrid system warning icon displayed on the multi-function display. Luckily, in both instances, we were able to move to the shoulder while decelerating. After coming to a complete stop, we referred to the owner's manual which suggested turning the ignition key completely off and then attempting a restart. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140482, filed 2005-10, 45,385 miles“While driving along on interstate, got warning triangle and low main battery information. Immediately, car began to speed-up on its own. I applied very hard braking to try and slow down while trying to move to the right lane with traffic on my right. Car did not slow down but I managed to avoid traffic and get onto the right lane, where there was an exit from the interstate. I made the exit and was able to get control of the acceleration. I then drove the rough running car to the my dealer off that exit. They replaced the main battery, and everything is now fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10304385, filed 2010-02, 137,700 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10045140Jun 13, 2012Toyota: accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and installation, if lubrication or oil, is applied.
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 2 | 7% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2021 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 4 | 11% |
| 2017 | 13 | 14% |
| 2016 | 14 | 9% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 22 | 5% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 28 | 5% |
| 2010 | 287 | 10% |
| 2009 | 71 | 14% |
| 2008 | 156 | 10% |
| 2007 | 124 | 6% |
| 2006 | 84 | 6% |
| 2005 | 109 | 10% |
| 2004 | 52 | 9% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 12 | 7% |
| 2001 | 25 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Prius
45 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsTires
27 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 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