2003 Toyota Prius Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,872miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Toyota Prius, 5% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,872 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.
“Customer states vehicle began racing wildly, acting like transmission was not engaged. Driver stated as not depressing the accelerator during the alleged event. Customer was driving on steep uphill grades at approximately 45 MPH. Vehicle was shut off and restarted. Vehicle proceeded to operate with 6-7 reoccurrences throughout 100 miles of driving at highway speeds. Customer states that this has never happened before however 6 months earlier the vehicle would not start and would stall repeatedly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10428551, filed 2011-05, 284,998 miles“Dt:while driving at 25-30 MPH vehicle lost power and stalled due to electronic throttle module failure. Updated 12/6/2005 - the dealer replaced the fuel relay.”
NHTSA complaint #10140068, filed 2005-10, 43,745 miles“Consumer was traveling at 70mph on highway with cruise control engaged. When depressing brake pedal to disengage cruise control the vehicle spun out and stopped facing the oncoming traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10026336, filed 2003-07, 6,500 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius. While driving at a low speed four times, the vehicle accelerated over the speed limit. Twice the vehicle accelerated on an ice covered road. The vehicle also accelerated twice while driving over a pot hole. The vehicle was never taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. Routine maintenance was performed and up to date prior the vehicle accelerating. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 40,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10320626, filed 2010-03, 40,000 miles“2003 Toyota Prius with acceleration and brake problems. Customer stated when she released her foot from the brake pedal the vehicle raced forward while making a loud noise. The brakes were reapplied but it did not stop the vehicle. The consumer was able to veer slightly to the left to avoid an accident. The vehicle finally stopped after lurching about 30 to 40 feet well beyond the stop sign and into the intersection. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10204912, filed 2007-09Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10045140Jun 13, 2012Toyota: accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and installation, if lubrication or oil, is applied.
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 2 | 7% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2021 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 4 | 11% |
| 2017 | 13 | 14% |
| 2016 | 14 | 9% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 22 | 5% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 28 | 5% |
| 2010 | 287 | 10% |
| 2009 | 71 | 14% |
| 2008 | 156 | 10% |
| 2007 | 124 | 6% |
| 2006 | 84 | 6% |
| 2005 | 109 | 10% |
| 2004 | 52 | 9% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 12 | 7% |
| 2001 | 25 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Prius
39 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsTires
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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