2002 Toyota Prius Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Toyota Prius, 5% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,500 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“At the end of an 8 hour trip from va to tn, all the lights came on in the car and it lost power. We limped to a Toyota dealership and learned that the transaxle (transmission) and inverter had failed. Metal fragments were found in the transaxle fluid. The cost to replace both is estimated at $7,500. The car has 113k miles on it and was dealer-maintained according to Toyota plan.”
NHTSA complaint #10278141, filed 2009-07, 113,534 miles“While driving, the consumer noticed a noise was coming from the front end. The first failure of the front tires was july 2,2003 at 20624 miles. New replacement tires were put on the rear. The old tires were moved to the front. The front tires failed sep 27 2003. Took vehicle to dealership and the consumer was informed by the mechanic that the tires wore out badly on the inside and would need to be replaced. Tire size p175/65r14xl. The vehicle jerked when started. No problem found.”
NHTSA complaint #10041850, filed 2003-12, 20,624 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the steering wheel jerked violently when making sharp right and left turns. During this failure the power steering indicator dimmed. The dealer stated that the torque converter sensor provided abnormal readings. The current mileage was 103,000, and failure mileage was 98,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10187099, filed 2007-04, 98,000 miles“The contact stated the location of the gear shifter allowed the gears to be shifted by accident. The gears were changed accidentally from drive to neutral while pulling out from a stop light. The lack of a locking mechanism allowed the vehicle to be slipped from reverse to drive by accident as well. The manufacturer had not been alerted. Updated 03/28/06.”
NHTSA complaint #10150556, filed 2006-02, 37,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact was driving approximately between 65-75 MPH on normal road conditions when all of the warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Suddenly, a strong burning odor circulated inside of the vehicle and the engine began to overheat. The warning indicator remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The cruise control, power windows system and cellular phone power outlet became inoperative. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and turned the engine off. The vehicle restarted and resumed operation with caution. …”
NHTSA complaint #10310513, filed 2010-02, 68,500 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
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 2002 Toyota Prius
80 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsTires
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsEngine cooling
11 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 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