2003 Toyota Prius
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 39 of 99 complaints (39%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more crash reports (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 167 in 2002 to 99 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,350 | 1,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 41 | 41 | 41 | 46 | 46 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 42 / 41 | 42 / 41 | 42 / 41 | 48 / 45 | 48 / 45 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 217 | 217 | 217 | 193 | 193 | |
| Complaints filed | 165 | 167 | 99 | 610 | 1,051 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 12 | 5 | 38 | 102 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 11 | 5 | 29 | 66 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 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 2003 Toyota Prius have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2003 Toyota Prius?
Steering: 39 of 99 NHTSA complaints (39%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Prius get?
EPA rates it 41 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 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 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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 (1)
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.