RoadVitals

2002 Toyota Prius Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Oct 18, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 167 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Toyota Prius submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2016

HYBRID CIRCULATION PUMP FAILED. THREE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.

NHTSA ID
10917169
Incident
Oct 17, 2016
Mileage
166,914 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 13, 2014

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE I-75 RETURNING FROM EAST RIDGE, TN, AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND WARNING LIT-UP ON THE SCREEN PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY RIGID WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND I HAD TO CLASP THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY TO CONTROL THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559537
Incident
Jan 6, 2014
Mileage
143,769 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 3, 2013

THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HYBRID BATTERY CAUSES A LOT OF PROBLEM IN MANY OF THE SYSTEMS, ENGINE, COMPUTER ETC AND DON'T EVEN HAS A 100,000 MILES IT SUPPOSE TO HAVE A LONG LIFE , THE DEALER IS CHARGING BIG BUCKS IN ORDER TO FIX IT AND I DON'T SEE WHY IT GOES DAMAGE WITH SUCH A LOW MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10490855
Incident
Dec 4, 2012
Mileage
95,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 6, 2012
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNDER SPEED LIMIT WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND AFTER FEW SECONDS I WAS AT A CURVE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN LEFT AND WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH AND COLLIDING WITH AN OBJECT. THE CAR GOT HUGE DAMAGE AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND STILL IN MY YARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10478896
Incident
Aug 15, 2011
Mileage
241,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 10, 2010
Fire reported

WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC HYBRID BATTERY COMPLETELY DISCHARGES CAUSING CAR TO LURCH WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. ONCE THE CAR IS OUT OF TRAFFIC THE BATTERY OVER CHARGES CAUSING THE BATTERY TO OVER HEAT AND CAUSE THE CABIN TO FILL WITH A SCARY SMELL OF BURNING. THE HYBRID BATTERY FAN IS ON. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP PAID NEARLY $300 FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY COULD FIND NO ERROR CODES RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. CALL CHP TO ASSIST IN TOW TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365308
Incident
Aug 5, 2010
Mileage
157,600 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 8, 2010

CONSUMERS 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER MADE ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC MODULE EXCHANGE AND THE GAS TANK. HOWEVER, THE ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS AN ONGOING, UNRESOLVED PROBLEM WITH VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND AT OTHER TIMES DURING COLD WEATHER. THE POWER STEERING WILL COMPLETELY CUT OUT AFTER HOURS OF OPERATION, ESPECIALLY DURING HOT WEATHER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10317566
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Mileage
100 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 15, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 65-75 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SUDDENLY, A STRONG BURNING ODOR CIRCULATED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL, POWER WINDOWS SYSTEM AND CELLULAR PHONE POWER OUTLET BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSAXLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS AND EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10310513
Incident
Aug 15, 2009
Mileage
68,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 20, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LARGE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE OUT-OF-WARRANTY DIVISION, BUT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

NHTSA ID
10259448
Incident
Feb 18, 2009
Mileage
108,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BEGAN FLASHING A WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILED. THE COST OF THE PART IS $1,800. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ID
10215661
Incident
Oct 15, 2007
Mileage
83,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 2, 2007

INCIDENT: CAR ENGINE ON 2002 PRIUS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING AND DYING AFTER HAVING BEEN STARTED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE "ENGINE CONTROL UNIT" WAS SHOWING AN ERROR AND DUE TO A MANUFACTURING OR SOFTWARE PROBLEM, COULD NOT BE REPROGRAMMED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10177550
Incident
Dec 4, 2006
Mileage
94,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE CAR STALLED AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 37 MPH. THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR STOPPED. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005 THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND THEN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE COOLANT SENSOR IN THE TRANSAXLE. THE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 23, 2005 THE PROBLEM STOPPED. PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 THE ONBOARD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE AFOREMENTIONED PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK UPDATED 12/2705. *JB

NHTSA ID
10143809
Incident
Sep 6, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jun 1, 2005

MY TOYOTA PRIUS HAS HAD MULTIPLE AUTOMATIC FAILURES SINCE IT'S PURCHACE. YOU WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED AND IT SHUTS STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IN MA., ON THE ROAD IN NM, ON THE HIGHWAY IN NM AND ON THE HIGHWAY IN TX. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERS IN MA, NM, AND TX AND THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. MY CAR SLOWS DOWN TO 40 MPH GOING UP HILL WHICH IS ALSO A DANGER WHEN YOU ARE IN A 60 MPH ZONE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MILEAGE HAS BEEN POOR AROUND 30 MILES PER GALLON. MANY PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACEDUT THEY ALWAYS SAY IT IS IN MY HEAD THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I PICKED IT UP FROM A DEALER IN NM AND DROVE IT LESS THAN 2 MILES AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD AND I AGAIN WAS ALMOST KILLED. THEY MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THAT HE WAS GOING TO PUSH IT OUT INTO THE ROAD AFTER HE PULLED OUT SOME PARTS I REFUSED TO PAY FOR AS I WANTED TO WAIT A DAY UNTIL I COULD TALK TO THE TOYOTA 1 800 COMPLAINT LINE. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS NOT ADDRESSING AND HAS TAUGHT THEIR MECHANICS TO BE CONDECENDING AND RUDE TO FEMALE CONSUMERS.

NHTSA ID
10123865
Incident
Sep 6, 2003
Mileage
20,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 23, 2005
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE TRUNK WHERE THE BATTERY WAS LOCATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK THE HYBRID BATTERY PACK CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10111792
Incident
Jan 20, 2005
Mileage
36,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed May 15, 2004

2002 NEW TOYOTA PRIUS DELIVERED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES. THESE TIRES HAVE FAILED AFTER 12,000 MILES. THEN CHANGED TIRES (ALL 4) WHICH FAILED AT 10,000 MILES. TOYOTA CORPORATE SAYS ITS NOT THEIR CONCERN. DEALER TOLD ME THEY ARE NOT SAFE TIRES. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES EVERY 10,000 MILES. TOYOTA CORPORATE RECOMMENDS THESE TIRES AND TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10072650
Incident
May 11, 2003
Mileage
14,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 8, 2003

I JUNE OF 2202 I BOUGHT TOYOTA PRIUS. I WAS GETTING 44MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AND 49 IN THE CITY. THEN THE COLD WEATHER COMES AND NOW I GET ONLY 35MPG IN THE CITY THAT IS A DROP OF OVER 28%. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TWICE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUPPOSELY SCOPE IT AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT THE COLD WEATHER WAS THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT THEIR EXCUSE WAS LAME AND THAT WAS NOT EXCEPTABLE. IF A CARS GAS MILEAGE DROPS THAT DRAMACTICLY THERE HAS TO BE A PROBLEM OR THEIR IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THERE SHOULD NOT BE A 28% DROP OFF IN A CAR PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER. THERE ADVERTISEMENT PITCH WAS THAT THE CAR WILL GET BETTER MILEAGE IN THE CITY THAN THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THEIR HYBRID SYSTEM, IT DID NOT SAY THAT THE SYSTEM ONLY WORK IN WARM WEATHER

NHTSA ID
10000827
Incident
Oct 16, 2003
Mileage
7,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 3, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT DUE TO FAULTY BATTERY.*JB

NHTSA ID
786031
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Electrical
Filed Jun 28, 2002

VEHICLE REFUSES TO START. TOWED VEHICLE . REPLACED BATTERY , PROBLEM RE0CCURRED. A

NHTSA ID
8012973
Incident
May 27, 2002
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 27, 2002

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN. WHEN THIS OCCURS CHECK ENGINE O/ BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. PLEASE GIVE FURHTER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
8004689

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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