2001 vs 2002 Toyota Prius

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2001

Nothing that 2002 lacks.

2002

Nothing that 2001 lacks.

Both years

  • Power steering All years

    What to check: Ask whether recall 11V304000 was done. On a straight road, let the wheel go for a moment and feel for vibration, and watch for the power steering warning.

    Toyota recalled 2001–2003 cars because the steering linkage nuts could loosen and cut assist in left turns. A separate program, ZTP, replaced steering racks that made the wheel shake when let go, but it ended in 2013. Jalopnik reports steering torque sensors wearing out early.

    Toyota, NHTSA, Jalopnik

  • Stalling, 2001–2002

    What to check: Ask whether recall 06V266000 was done.

    Oil could seep into the crankshaft position sensor's connector, which could come loose and stall the engine so that it would not restart. About 8,500 cars were recalled.

    NHTSA, a published reference

Recalls

2001

  • 00V285000 2001

    Poor electrical contact in the power steering torque sensor can turn on the warning light and make the steering heavy. NHTSA

2002

Nothing that 2001 lacks.

Both years

  • 06V266000 2001–2002

    Oil can leak into the crankshaft position sensor connector, which can come loose and stall the engine so that it will not restart. NHTSA

  • 11V304000 2001–2003

    The steering linkage may loosen, reducing power assist in left turns. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2001, up to and including 2002.

  1. 2002Options added for the first time: navigation, cruise control, side airbags and daytime running lights. Two new colors, Brilliant Blue and Blue Moon Pearl. Edmunds

What it came with

2001

Nothing that 2002 lacks.

2002

Packages
Navigation system (2002–2003) Edmunds, Side airbags (2002–2003) Edmunds

Both years

Engines
1.5L hybrid Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
Planetary power-split (eCVT) Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims
Base Edmunds

Colors

2001

Nothing that 2002 lacks.

2002

  • Blue Moon Pearl 8P5, 2002 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Brilliant Blue Pearl 8K8, 2002–2003 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040, 2001–2003 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver Strata Metallic 1C5, 2001–2003 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Electric Green Mica 6R4, 2001–2003 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Aqua Ice Opalescent 761, 2001–2003 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2001

Nothing that 2002 lacks.

2002

  • Sought after: Rated by its owners 2002 One source so far

    On Edmunds, an unofficial source, the 2002's 80 owners' reviews average 4.8 of 5. Owners' reports (unofficial)

Both years

  • Sought after: The battery lasts All years

    In 2011 Consumer Reports tested a 2002 Prius with over 200,000 miles and found little difference in fuel economy and acceleration from the 2001 it had tested new. SlashGear picks the 2003 as a used buy on a small budget. SlashGear, a published reference