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Electrical systemPart report

2002 Toyota Prius Electrical system Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
11%of 167 total for the year
Median mileage
88,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Toyota Prius, 11% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving the vehicle under speed limit when my steering wheel became stiff. I was driving when my steering wheel became stiff and after few seconds I was at a curve and was not able to turn left and went off the road into a ditch and colliding with an object. The car got huge damage and was not drivable and still in my yard.”

NHTSA complaint #10478896, filed 2012-10, 241,000 miles

“I was driving along the interstate I-75 returning from east ridge, tn, and the power steering light and warning lit-up on the screen panel. The steering wheel became very rigid while I was driving, and I had to clasp the steering wheel firmly to control the steering of the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10559537, filed 2014-01, 143,769 miles

“2002 new Toyota Prius delivered with bridgestone potenza tires. These tires have failed after 12,000 miles. Then changed tires (all 4) which failed at 10,000 miles. Toyota corporate says its not their concern. Dealer told me they are not safe tires. I have replaced tires every 10,000 miles. Toyota corporate recommends these tires and takes no responsibility for them.”

NHTSA complaint #10072650, filed 2004-05, 14,000 miles

“My Toyota Prius has had multiple automatic failures since it's purchace. You will be driving down the road at any speed and it shuts stalls. This has happened on the highway in ma., on the road in nm, on the highway in nm and on the highway in tx. I have been lucky so far that I have not been killed. I have complained to dealers in ma, nm, and tx and they claim that there is nothing wrong with my car. My car slows down to 40 MPH going up hill which is also a danger when you are in a 60 MPH zone on the highway. The mileage has been poor around 30 miles per gallon. …”

NHTSA complaint #10123865, filed 2005-06, 20,000 miles

“I june of 2202 I bought Toyota Prius. I was getting 44mpg on the highway and 49 in the city. Then the cold weather comes and now I get only 35mpg in the city that is a drop of over 28%. I have taken it back twice to the dealer and they supposely scope it and said that there was nothing wrong and that the cold weather was the problem. I told them that their excuse was lame and that was not exceptable. If a cars gas mileage drops that dramacticly there has to be a problem or their is a manufacturing defect. There should not be a 28% drop off in a car performance in cold weather. …”

NHTSA complaint #10000827, filed 2003-01, 7,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026233%
2025638%
2024415%
2023524%
2022625%
2021117%
2020214%
2019413%
201825%
20171112%
20162013%
20152716%
20143316%
20135213%
20125212%
20116813%
20101927%
20096012%
200823516%
200724812%
200615211%
200517817%
200417729%
20031313%
20021811%
20012716%

Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Prius

Steering
80 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsTires
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 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