10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,686 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Toyota Prius engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Toyota Prius Owner Comments

problem #4

Dec 192009

Prius

  • 43,746 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Warning light comes on and manual says do not operate vehicle, park immediately. This happened on my 2003 Toyota Prius in December. Fortunately the dealer was open and when reported said it was not a big deal, the care was drivable and should be brought in for service. In service found master warning light codes P0300, 301, 302, 303, 304, -3191, P33101, C1202 then noted "found warranty enhancement to clean throttle body (EG9016.5 01.99). Was never notified of this issue and was parked in dangerous location while attempting to ascertain what steps to take in light of the "do not operate vehicle" warning in the manual. Same situation arose in our 2002 Prius this date and awaiting results of dealer's analysis (although when the light went out they said we could just as easily cancel the service appointment). In both cases service departments seemed familiar with problem (and my service advisor referred to it as a "silent recall".)

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #3

Jan 232006

Prius

  • miles
2003 Toyota Prius with engine problems. Consumer states that the triangle and engine lights would illuminate upon starting the vehicle. Mechanic stated that there was oil in the air intake and on the sensors. The consumer stated twice while his wife was driving, the vehicle shut off, which left her driving with just the electric motor.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 182007

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles
2003 Toyota Prius -- in cold weather the cars computer does not act properly and will shut down the engine.

- Prescott, AZ, USA

problem #1

Dec 062005

Prius 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles
Reference investigation # PE05029: My Toyota Prius 2003 [xxx] gasoline/ electric hybrid vehicles that can be operated in gasoline or electric mode. On 4 separate occasions, the gasoline engine shut down suddenly without warning. Each time I was driving with the speed of highway traffic. The three previous times the vehicle continued to operate using the electric mode for a period of time after the gas engine stalled. This last and 4th time the vehicle shut down at the same time that they felt the gas engine stalled. I was able to restart the vehicle after 3 immediate attempts to turn the car on. I was able to slowly drive the car off the highways and to park. As with the last 3 times, I again had the vehicle towed. Each of the 4 stalling incidents, I was alerted by an audible sound and various warning lights. After the car stalled the brake and steering operation continued to function as the car drifted to a stop. Each time the reason was for the failure to operate was caused by something different, as I am told by the service center. This last time, (4th) the dealership said the car is "fine" asked me to pay the tow and is sending me on my way. Nothing was done. I drive about 90 miles a day with my 8 yr old daughter as my primary passenger. This is a very dangerous situation that has not been corrected by Toyota. My dealership (kings Toyota cincinnati Ohio). Updated 07/17/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Clarksville, OH, USA

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