2002 Toyota Prius Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 11%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,600miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the tires of the 2002 Toyota Prius, 11% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,600 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Several months ago I had a blow out on my left rear tire. Those things happen- so I replaced the tire, glad that there were no injuries or damage. Two weeks ago the same thing happened on the left front. Whn I went to the dealer I was advised to keep the tires inflated to 45lbs though the owner's manual (on my 2002 Prius) advised inflating to only 35lbs. The dealer said that they found that 45lbs allowed better wear and avoided the blow-outs. Owners should be advised of this and given replacement tires with an adjustment for wear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10067957, filed 2004-04, 23,800 miles“Two bridgestone potenza re92 [p175/65 r14 84s, DOT el(pjdh4801] tires failed on my 2002 Prius within one week. These are the tires installed on the vehicle when we bought it. Our vehicle currently has slightly less than 25,000 miles on the odometer and is driven primarily for commuting on freeways. We discovered the right front tire extremely low on air when returning to a parking garage on 4/12/03. As we were unable to locate a gas station my husband changed the failed tire with the temporary tire and had the the failed tire repaired the next day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10014314, filed 2003-04, 23,600 miles“In november of 2003 I had a tire blowout while on the freeway. The car handled well and I was able to get off the freeway and put on the spare. When replacing the tire I found that I had to purchase a super heavy duty tire because of the weight of my car. The tire was inflated to the specifications in my owner's manual (35lbs). In april I had a second blow-out and replaced the tire at my Toyota dealership. At that time I was informed that Toyota found that inflating the tires to 45lbs seemed to be working better. I have now replaced all four tires and inflated them to the recommended 45lbs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10073043, filed 2004-05, 20,000 miles“Tire thread separation occurred while driving at about 60-70 MPH on the highway causing vehicle to weave nearly out of control. A collision was avoided by the driver. Damage to the fender, bumper and side marker lights on the front passenger side. Tire brand was bridgestone insignia 175/65r14 DOT ic8i e20 1604 eq8r.”
NHTSA complaint #10268839, filed 2009-05, 150,705 miles“2002 Prius has had numerous problems with tires having to be replaced or repaired. The consumer has had to replaced 6 tires and has had 3 tires repaired. The tire on the vehicle are special tire and can only be purchased at a Toyota dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10171185, filed 2006-10, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10207946Jan 12, 2022POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept…
Tires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 14% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 2 | 14% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 17 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 8 | 1% |
| 2007 | 11 | 1% |
| 2006 | 10 | 1% |
| 2005 | 10 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 0% |
| 2003 | 11 | 11% |
| 2002 | 18 | 11% |
| 2001 | 27 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Prius
80 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsElectrical system
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 30, 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