2000 Toyota Prius problems

General information about Toyota-Prius
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Toyota Prius (/ˈpriːəs/ PREE-əss) (Japanese: トヨタ・プリウス, Hepburn: Toyota Puriusu) is a compact/small family liftback (supermini/subcompact sedan until 2003) produced by Toyota. The Prius has a hybrid drivetrain, combined with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Initially offered as a four-door sedan, it has been produced only as a five-door liftback since 2003.

The Prius was developed by Toyota to be the "car for the 21st century"; it was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, first going on sale in Japan in 1997 at all four Toyota Japan dealership chains, and subsequently introduced worldwide in 2000.

In 2011, Toyota expanded the Prius family to include the Prius v, an MPV, and the Prius c, a subcompact hatchback. The production version of the Prius plug-in hybrid was released in 2012. The second generation of the plug-in variant, the Prius Prime, was released in the U.S. in November 2016. The Prius family totaled global cumulative sales of 6.1 million units in January 2017, representing 61% of the 10 million hybrids sold worldwide by Toyota since 1997. Toyota sells the Prius in over 90 markets, with Japan and the United States being its largest markets.

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Common 2000 Toyota Prius problems

The Toyota Prius, first introduced in 2000, has been a popular choice for those seeking a fuel-efficient vehicle. However, like any other car, it has its share of common problems. This article will focus on the 2000-2002 Toyota Prius and discuss the common problems experienced by its owners.

Throttle Body Failure: Many 2000-2002 Toyota Prius owners have experienced a sudden drop in engine power while driving. This problem is attributed to throttle body failure, and replacing the throttle body usually fixes the issue.

Loose Steering Linkage: The steering linkage in first-gen Prii tends to loosen over time, resulting in reduced power steering, especially during left turns. Toyota issued a recall in summer 2011 to replace the nuts in the steering linkage in over 50,000 Prius vehicles.

These common problems in the 2000-2002 Toyota Prius are essential for potential buyers to be aware of. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent or address these issues. If you're in the market for a used Prius, consider these potential problems and their associated costs when evaluating different models and years.

What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?

The most commonly reported issues for different Toyota Prius model years include cracked windshields, excessive engine oil consumption, and engine issues. Depending on the model year, the Toyota Prius can also develop problems with its headlights, interior accessories, fuel gauge, transistors, and parking brake.

What is the best year of the Prius?

Looking for the best year Prius to buy used, huh? Great choice, Priuses are known for their reliability and fuel efficiency. The 2012-2015 Prius models are often considered the sweet spot.

How long do Prius batteries last?

8-10 years

The average battery life of a Toyota Prius is 8-10 years or around 150,000 miles. Regarding battery life, the Prius is one of the most reliable cars on the road. The hybrid battery is designed to maintain its charge over the car's life and should last as long as the car itself.

Do Toyota Prius have transmission problems?

As Toyota's flagship hybrid model, the Prius has helped drive the movement towards fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicles. However, like any car, the Prius can develop issues over time – especially in the complex transmission system.

What is the common problem with Toyota Prius?

Which year Toyota Prius is best?

The 2012-2015 Prius models are often considered the sweet spot. These years strike a good balance between age, features, and price. Plus, they've got a solid track record for reliability. As for MPG, you're looking at some pretty good numbers.

Is Prius high maintenance?

It's important to note that while the maintenance costs for a Prius are generally lower, there are some maintenance tasks specific to hybrid vehicles that can be more costly. These include servicing the electric motors and battery, which may require specialized knowledge and equipment.

Can a Prius last 15 years?

What is the expected lifespan of a Toyota Prius battery, and what factors can affect its longevity? Expect a lifespan of 15 years and at least 150,000 miles. There have been examples which lived more than 250,000 miles.

2000 Toyota Prius car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Prius problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Exterior lighting problems
Steering problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2000 Toyota Prius vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2000 Toyota Prius complaints

The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2000 Toyota Prius.

2013-03-14

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2010-05-04
VIN: JTDKB20UX57
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT THE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. AFTER PULLING OVER AND TURNING OFF CAR AND PLACING EMERGENCY BLINKERS ON GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT HEADLIGHTS DRIVERS SIDE WAS OUT. TURNED OFF HEADLIGHTS AND TURNED THEM BACK ON. THEY CAME BACK ON I DROVE HOME SAFELY. TWO DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD BULBS REPLACED. THREE MONTHS HAD BULBS CHANGED AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN DON MULTIPLE TIMES. TWO WEEKS AGO UPON RETURNING HOME AT NIGHT BOTH HEADLIGHT WENT OUT TOGETHER LEAVIN ME ON SIDE OF ROAD. PARKED CAR AND HAD WIFE PICK ME UP. RETRIEVED CAR THE NEXT DAY. FACTORY SAYS SORRY ABOUT THIS NOT OUR PROBLEM. *TR

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2010-10-22

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2010-10-17
VIN: JT2BK12U110
Components: STEERING
Summary: 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS - STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY VIBRATES AND PULLS HARD TO THE SIDE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY. DEALER SAID IT WAS BRAKE DRUM AND PERFORMED $800 REPAIR BUT ONLINE SEARCH SUGGESTS IT IS ACTUALLY COMMON STEERING PROBLEM THAT CONTINUES EVEN AFTER PRIOR REPAIR. *TR

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2009-11-17

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2009-11-17
VIN: JTDKB20U577
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT SHUTS ON AND OFF 2 TO 3 MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF TO RESET THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE CONTACT HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LACK OF HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

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2009-11-12

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2009-10-01
VIN: JTDKB20U763
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: THE HEADLIGHTS IN MY 2006 PRIUS INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF, AND TURN ON AGAIN WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHED IS TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. IT HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY WHEN DRIVING - THE LIGHTS DO NOT STAY ON FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE MINUTES AT A TIME. THIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME ISSUE IN JANUARY 2008, WAS REPAIRED AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND IS NOW OCCURRING AGAIN LESS THAN TWO YEARS LATER. *TR

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2000 Toyota Prius problems:

Should I avoid the early 2000s models? : r/prius

https://www.reddit.com/r/prius/comments/otdn8z/should_i_avoid_the_early_2000s_models/

Jul 28, 2021 ... Should I avoid the early 2000s models? ... Here are some common problems with first gens. ... This article indicates it's only around 41mpg. https ...

Which Year Models of Used Toyota Prius to Avoid - CoPilot

https://www.copilotsearch.com/posts/which-year-models-of-toyota-prius-to-avoid/

Mar 18, 2024 ... Although they're a bit older, you can't go wrong with the 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 Toyota Priuses. These have had almost no complaints, ...