Model year
2003 Toyota Prius
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 99 complaints for the 2003 Toyota Prius (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are STEERING (32), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12), TIRES (8). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 41 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,650, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 165 complaints
- 2002 167 complaints
- 2003 99 complaints
- 2004 610 complaints
- 2005 1,051 complaints
- 2006 1,439 complaints
- 2007 2,003 complaints
- 2008 1,497 complaints
- 2009 502 complaints
- 2010 2,823 complaints
- 2011 521 complaints
- 2012 424 complaints
- 2013 414 complaints
- 2014 210 complaints
- 2015 166 complaints
- 2016 155 complaints
- 2017 91 complaints
- 2018 37 complaints
- 2019 30 complaints
- 2020 14 complaints
- 2021 6 complaints
- 2022 24 complaints
- 2023 21 complaints
- 2024 27 complaints
- 2025 16 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
11V304000 · Jun 1, 2011
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
Complaints
99 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 5, fire flag on 0, injury field 5, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP22005 | Pedestrian alert sounds · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM | Jan 27, 2023 | Aug 7, 2023 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius · 1.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 42 | 41 | 41 | — | — | $1,650 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Toyota Prius at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.