2002 Toyota Prius Steering Problems
- 55
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 55 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 45 records
- power steering · 30 records
- steering rack · 10 records
- needed replaced · 6 records
- failure mileage · 5 records
- shake violently · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 18 |
| 60–100k mi | 13 |
| 30–60k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Toyota issued a recall in august 2011 on gen. 1 prius for a steering issue. We took the prius into local dealer and they replaced steering nuts per recall. Within a week after recall fix, we noticed a violent shake to the steering wheel during a cold morning start. It had never done that before the recall. We took the car in after it occurred again and were told that our rack and pinion was wore and needed to be…
ODI 10491440
Steering
Day leading up to incident, steering wheel would pull to right very easily or while rolling, but could be pulled back to center without issue. On day of incident, backed car out of parking space and a clunking sound was made under car. Steering wheel would then only turn about a quarter turn and would not turn the wheels at all. We had the car towed to the dealer who determined that the steering rack was bad and the…
ODI 10404245
Steering
I have a 2002 toyota prius with 140k miles on it. The steering wheel started to shake violently last fall when i put the car in reverse. It now does this at low speeds, particularly around corners and is becoming an increasing problem at higher speeds. The power steering cut out on the freeway at 70 miles per hour last week. That convinced me i need to get a new car. I tried to trade it in at a local toyota dealer…
ODI 10379577
Steering
I was turning left into a parking spot when the steering sounded and acted odd. The ps light came on. I brought it to a toyota dealer and had to replace the power steering gear mechanism at a cost of over $2600.00. I was told the recall on this was v.i.n. Specific and did not apply to mine. My concern is if this is the same issue that is addressed in the recall, and my car had the issue, why is it not taken care of…
ODI 10443150
Steering
Steering wheel, uncontrollable shudder, will literally rip itself out of your hand or grip. Usually happens during the first of the day when it's relatively cold. While slowly moving the vehicle, the steering wheel will start to vibrate violently, in an un controllable manner. Sometimes the power steering will just error out while driving down the street during the day, loosing all power steering as well. *tr
ODI 10379557
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph when the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack would need to be replaced. The dealer deemed as unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
ODI 10370601
Steering
Repeated problems with steering, including uncontrollable vibration of steering wheel and loss of power steering. Car has 39k miles. Problem has recently grown worse, with complete loss of power steering and appearance of ps warning on computer screen during highway driving. Problem is especially prevalent in cold weather. Very dangerous. *tr
ODI 10370737
Steering
Steering wheel shakes violently for a few seconds then stops. Up until yesterday it did this sporadically while backing and turning. Yesterday, it did it during wet weather, 50 degrees fahrenheit, backing and turning. Then it did it again while driving and turning in a parking garage. This was the first time it has ever done it going forward. This problem has been occurring for approx 8 years on and off. Toyota…
ODI 10359279
Steering
2002 toyota prius steering rack failure. Approximately 2 weeks ago the steering in my prius became difficult to turn and pulsated when turning. The toyota dealer, where i had purchased the vehicle, inspected the car and informed me that the steering rack was failing and needed to be replaced at a cost of $3,000. After researching this on the internet i found that this is a problem inherent to these 1st generation…
ODI 10347471
Steering
1. Recently, the steering started shaking violently periodically upon turning 2. The steering periodically shakes violently and it becomes difficult or impossible to steer the car 3. I contacted the dealer and the toyota executive offices and they "declined participation" updated ivoq 11/02/10 *tr
ODI 10346103
Steering
Severe shaking in steering of 2002 prius. Also encounter loss of power steering for a short time 4 different times. Taken to dealer 3 times !st two times i was told it just needed grease on the steering column. 3rd time was told it needed $3400 of working and that the car was dangerous to drive. Car had approximately 107,000 miles the third time i took it in. After i contacted toyota corp. The dealer called to say…
ODI 10345615
Steering
The electronic power steering assembly malfunctions and stops providing assistance to the driver on a 2002 toyota prius, on one instance the gasoline motor stopped working and i was left driving at low speed with the assistance of the electric motor only. The latest incident occurred on may 31st, 2010 while driving at about 65 mph on a freeway, the car lost the power steering operation, multiple warning lights came…
ODI 10335829
Steering
My 2002 toyota prius's electronic motor steering assembly stops working after approximately 1hr of driving at highway speeds. At 75 miles per hour, warning lights turn on and steering assist fails. Steering the car from the road is incredibly difficult. After turning the car off and back on, the steering works once again. The car is not safe to drive as the steering fails unexpectedly at high speeds. The dealer…
ODI 10335842
Steering
I complained to the dealer multiple times about shaking in the steering column. After several inspections where they found nothing, i told them to check the rack & pinion. They found that to be the cause. Toyota paid for the new parts and i paid for the labor to get it replaced. Less then 13 months later, i have had multiple incidents of my power steering going out making it very difficult to drive the car. The…
ODI 10322916
Steering
Violent shaking of the steering wheel while stopped or at slow speeds. Particularly in the winter time, first thing in the morning. Stopping the vehicle and sometimes shutting off and back on will address the issue. *tr
ODI 10501172
Steering
Steering wheel shakes violently when backing up and turning wheel. Happens randomly. Sometimes not for months. In january 2010 it happened three times in one week. Toyota dealership is unresponsive saying they cannot duplicate the problem. *tr
ODI 10316104
Steering
Electronically-assisted power steering rack assembly defective on 2002 toyota prius, particularly vehicle id number [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
ODI 10357256
Steering
Tla*the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. While driving approximately 35 mph on normal road conditions, suddenly, the steering wheel began to shake violently with excessive vibration. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The failure was contributed to the steering mechanism chip. The vehicle was not repaired for the malfunction. On a separate occasion the steering wheel locked without warning. The driver…
ODI 10300253
Steering
While on a trip and after start up on a cold morning, i left the hotel parking lot and was proceeding to the on ramp for the interstate. While i was turning left, the steering wheel began to shake violently for 3-4 seconds before it subsided. I noticed this shuttering or stiffness a few more times before we returned from our trip. After returning home, we took it to a toyota dealer. They checked it out and stated,…
ODI 10255422
Steering
On cold days when the car is first started the steering wheel shakes uncontrollably when put into reverse or drive. The car has to be turned off and restarted to get it to stop. This continues when restarted. The car cannot be driven due to this shaking of the steering wheel. *tr
ODI 10253545
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. While driving less than 65 mph, the emergency and power steering indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The power steering would lock and the contact was able to maneuver the vehicle off the highway. Once the vehicle was shut off and restarted, the warning indicators would no longer illuminate; however, there was a lot of play in the steering. The manufacturer stated…
ODI 10257478
Steering
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). To whom it may concern, i was attempting to make a left turn in my 2002 toyota prius traveling approximately 30mph when the steering wheel suddenly locked. I did manage to slow the car down and forced the wheel into completing the turn after hearing a cracking sound. I was told that the vehicle had a faulty sensor and the…
ODI 10316137
Steering
2002 toyota prius, this car suffers from an intermittent steering shake. What happens: often at parking lot speeds and some times at highway speeds, the steering pulses violently and steering control is temporarily lost. *tr
ODI 10238360
Steering
Intermittent severe steering wheel movement at low speed and steering failure which illuminated the ps failure light. Steering was difficult after failure. System reset after ignition turned off. Still have severe wheel vibration. Toyota dealers state an internal failure in the rack and pinion.
ODI 10235943
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota prius. The contact stated that the vehicle would shake abnormally when first started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and serviced under nhtsa campaign number 11v304000 (steering), however the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
ODI 10549318