2003 Toyota Prius Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 39%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Toyota Prius, 39% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“It's mostly when I'm turning right the power steering warning light will come and there will be no power steering. I have see a lot of complaints with the same problem. Sometimes as I was driving in the city or just as I'm starting to drive”
NHTSA complaint #11301927, filed 2020-01, 136 miles“We purchased a 2003 Toyota Prius in june of 2018. It has approximately 140,000 miles on it. When the weather started getting colder in october of 2018, the car exhibited the following problem: car steering wheel shakes violently for several seconds while exiting the driveway usually as we are turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was in motion when the shaking occurred and it was often after making a turn and/or straightening the steering wheel. In order to stop the shaking, the car has to be stopped. …”
NHTSA complaint #11210648, filed 2019-05, 130,000 miles“I have a 2003 Toyota Prius. When I made left turns the steering wheel would stick and I would have to jerk it back to straighten out the car. I took it into the shop and the steering system had to be replaced. The cost of the repair was approx. $2800. I am making a report in the event that there are other Prius' that have had this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10311624, filed 2010-02, 27,770 miles“Electronic: steering in my Toyota Prius shakes and pulls to the right sometimes. I took it to the dealer when this began last fall and they told me the steering computer and the entire steering system needed to be replaced. They told me this is not dangerous but it scares me, especially with the recent recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #10313437, filed 2010-02, 68,000 miles“Violent shaking of the steering wheel when turning in cold weather. It has happened most days this winter when temperatures were below 45f degrees. It was mostly an annoyance at first, and would happen when starting the car, but twice it has nearly caused a crash. The first near collision from shaking was in january when trying to park between two cars in a parking spot and I couldn't control the wheel until I put threw the car into park, turned it off, and turned it on again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10567895, filed 2014-03, 113,400 milesRelated recalls
- 11V304000Jun 1, 2011Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2003 prius passenger cars manufactured from january 28, 2000, through may 30, 2003. The steering linkage…Covers: Toyota Prius 2001–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10150008Sep 11, 2018Dealer Package: September 11, 2018 A watermark has been added to the Dealer Letter to indicate that ZTP expired on September 10, 2018. Toyota has received reports of customer…
- 10041274Jun 29, 2011Toyota service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Unusual steering vibration when the driver releases the steering wheel. 2001-2003 prius.
- 10041273Jun 23, 2011Toyota: unusual steering wheel vibration when the driver releases the steering wheel. Warranty extension.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 30 | 1% |
| 2009 | 13 | 3% |
| 2008 | 18 | 1% |
| 2007 | 34 | 2% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 39 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 2% |
| 2003 | 39 | 39% |
| 2002 | 80 | 48% |
| 2001 | 45 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Prius
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 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 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