2003 Toyota Prius Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 11%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Toyota Prius, 11% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles.
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.
“After a series of problems with the Prius engine the local Toyota dealer informed me that I needed to have the car's transmission replaced. Naturally the vehicle is no longer covered by its warranty. Back ground: 2003 Prius, odometer reading 116,289. On 12/22/2008, I started the car and the check engine light appeared. I was towed to the dealership. The dealership informed me that the gasoline engine shut down and the battery ran out of power. The dealership could not reproduce the problem. On 12/27/2008, I started the car and the check engine light appeared again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214314, filed 2008-01, 116,289 miles“2003 Toyota Prius gas engine stalled, warning lights came on all over the screen, and it would only drive on battery power. After stopping, I turned the car off but it would not re-start immediately. After a few tries and then waiting, the gas engine started when I turned the key. During the time it was running on battery, air conditioner was blowing hot air. After gas engine re-started, air conditioner blew cold air. Toyota service said they had never seen anything like what was on the screen they diagnosed and said it was the computer and ordered parts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139774, filed 2005-10, 43,912 miles“There is no thermostat gauge in a 2003 Toyota Prius , the car over heats and you don't know until your in the middle of traffic nearly getting killed. Toyota was contacted, but say not a recall and they don't honestly car cause car is old . That's not right , anything you still use from cars or even medicine have later come back to hurt or killed people. There is no hot to cold gauge in the car , 2003 only . I have investigated and see people publish about this but let it slip by . …”
NHTSA complaint #11011713, filed 2017-07, 123,200 miles“Warning light comes on and manual says do not operate vehicle, park immediately. This happened on my 2003 Toyota Prius in december. Fortunately the dealer was open and when reported said it was not a big deal, the care was drivable and should be brought in for service. In service found master warning light codes p0300, 301, 302, 303, 304, -3191, p33101, c1202 then noted found warranty enhancement to clean throttle body (eg9016.5 01.99). …”
NHTSA complaint #10308477, filed 2010-02, 43,746 miles“2003 Toyota Prius engine stalled three times. Dealer repaired and problem recurred again the same day. . Updated 01/09/08. The dealer found oil inside the manifold. Updated”
NHTSA complaint #10202434, filed 2007-09, 107,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10179698Aug 5, 2020TSB: Some 2003 ? 2020 model year Prius, Prius C, Prius V; 2006 ? 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid Vehicle; 2007 ? 2020 Camry Hybrid Vehicle; 2013 ? 2020 model year Avalon Hybrid…
- 10179602Aug 5, 2020TSB: Some 2003 ? 2020 model year Prius, Prius C, Prius V; 2006 ? 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid Vehicle; 2007 ? 2020 Camry Hybrid Vehicle; 2013 ? 2020 model year Avalon Hybrid…
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
- 10030908Jun 17, 2009Toyota: some vehicles may exhibit a mil on condition if an abnormally low engine power output or failure to start has been detected during a particular ths drive cycle.
- 10021528Sep 21, 2007Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p3130, and information code 346. *kb updated 10/26/07.
- 10015979Dec 20, 2004Engine oil specifications.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 5 | 1% |
| 2010 | 33 | 1% |
| 2009 | 7 | 1% |
| 2008 | 16 | 1% |
| 2007 | 17 | 1% |
| 2006 | 20 | 1% |
| 2005 | 64 | 6% |
| 2004 | 89 | 15% |
| 2003 | 11 | 11% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
| 2001 | 18 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Prius
39 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsTires
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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