2003 Toyota Prius Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Toyota Prius, 5% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 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 - developed rattle and took to the dealer. After a long examination, dealer determined the problem was with the power steering rack. Dealer acknowledged that there had been no accident and could not determine a cause. The repair cost quoted was $3,500, one half of the resale value of the car. I contacted Toyota motor sales and was told that since the car had approx. 62,000 miles, they would do nothing. The dealer has indicated a willingness to negotiate on the repair price.”
NHTSA complaint #10342593, filed 2010-07, 61,716 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius. While the contact was driving 5 MPH out of a parking lot the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating after the vehicle traveled over a patch of ice. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealership and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 150,000.updated 03/30/10. Updated 09/28/10”
NHTSA complaint #10311313, filed 2010-02, 150,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius. The contact stated his vehicle had been to the dealer approximately thirty times for various safety failures. The contact had experienced the vehicle stalling without warning while traveling uphill at speeds of 25 MPH, the instrument panel warning lights remained illuminated, the vehicle would not engage from battery to gasoline power when warranted, and the contact intermittently was unable to move the gear shift selector into the reverse position. …”
NHTSA complaint #10328099, filed 2010-04, 30,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius hybrid. The contact stated that she had experienced several failures within the vehicle since purchasing three months ago. The transmission was replaced, the left front tire had a leak and the inverter was replaced because several lights on the instrumental panel remained illuminated. On december 3, 2010, while driving approximately 10 MPH the steering wheel began to shake violently. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test but was unable to locate a failure code. …”
NHTSA complaint #10369488, filed 2010-12, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 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 2003 Toyota Prius
39 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsTires
11 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 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