2002 Toyota Prius
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 80 of 167 complaints (48%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 165 in 2001 to 167 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 41 | 41 | 41 | 46 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 42 / 41 | 42 / 41 | 42 / 41 | 48 / 45 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 217 | 217 | 217 | 193 | |
| Complaints filed | 165 | 167 | 99 | 610 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 12 | 5 | 38 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 11 | 5 | 29 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Prius have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Toyota Prius?
Steering: 80 of 167 NHTSA complaints (48%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Prius get?
EPA rates it 41 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Toyota Prius?
EPA estimates $1,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 42 mpg | 41 mpg | 41 mpg | $1,500 | 217 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 18 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 80 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Campaign 11V304000 · Jun 1, 2011
Defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2003 PRIUS PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 28, 2000, THROUGH MAY 30, 2003. THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY LOOSEN, RESULTING IN REDUCED ELECTRIC STEERING ASSISTANCE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN.
Consequence: LOSS OF POWER STEERING, PARTICULARLY WHEN AN OPERATOR IS ACTIVELY INTENDING TO STEER THE VEHICLE, MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUTS IN THE STEERING LINKAGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Campaign 06V266000 · Jul 21, 2006
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER MOLDING OF THE RESIN BODY OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENOR INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, ENGINE OIL MAY PENETRATE THE SEAL AND ENTER THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY ATTACHED TO THE LOCKING TAB OF THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR.
Consequence: ENGINE OIL INSIDE THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE EXPANSION DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE AND COULD DEFORM THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE CONNECTOR MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.