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2003 Toyota Prius Base

All Toyota Prius XW11 trims (2001–2003) → All Toyota Prius generations →
2003 Toyota Prius – front
Photo: 2001 Toyota Prius front by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the first generation (XW11, 2001–2003); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 2001 Toyota Prius front by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: 2000 Toyota Prius (1) by davocano, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: 2001 Toyota Prius rear by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: Toyota Prius rear view by Ryan Finnie from Reno, NV, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: 2002 Toyota Prius interior by Ryan Finnie from Reno, NV, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 2003 Toyota Prius Base is a 70-hp 1.5-liter inline-4 with an electronically controlled cvt and front-wheel drive. It starts at $19,995 MSRP and is rated at 48 mpg combined.

It makes 70 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 82 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 52 mpg city and 45 mpg highway (48 mpg combined).

The Prius measures 169.6 inches long on a 100.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,765 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeLiftback
PowertrainHybrid
Price
MSRP$19,995 ($35,317 *)
Engine
Engine Type1NZ-FXE 1.5L Atkinson Cycle DOHC 16-valve VVT-i Inline-4 Hybrid
Displacement1.5 L
Horsepower70 hp @ 4,500 rpm
Torque82 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves/cylinder, VVT-i
Bore and Stroke75.0 x 84.7
Compression Ratio13.0:1
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Transmission
TransmissionElectronically Controlled CVT (eCVT)
Fuel Economy
City52 MPG
Highway45 MPG
Combined48 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Unleaded (87 octane)
Tank Capacity11.9 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionTorsion beam with stabilizer bar
Front Stabilizer BarStandard
Rear Stabilizer BarStandard
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated disc, power-assisted, regenerative braking
Rear Brake DiscDrum, power-assisted (not disc -- 1st-gen Prius used rear drum brakes)
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front14-in. alloy
Wheels Rear14-in. alloy
Tires FrontP175/65R14
Tires RearP175/65R14
Dimensions & Weight
Length169.6 in
Width66.7 in
Height57.6 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Front Track58.1 in
Rear Track58.3 in
Ground Clearance4.9 in
Cargo Volume11.8 ft³
Curb Weight2,765 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.8 in
Headroom Rear37.1 in
Legroom Front41.2 in
Legroom Rear35.4 in
Shoulder Room Front52.8 in
Shoulder Room Rear52.2 in
Hip Room Front50.7 in
Hip Room Rear51.9 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2003 Toyota Prius 4-DR.

Recalls

1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota PRIUS. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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.

Consequence: LOSS OF POWER STEERING, PARTICULARLY WHEN AN OPERATOR IS ACTIVELY INTENDING TO STEER THE VEHICLE, MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUTS IN THE STEERING LINKAGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

NHTSA campaign 11V304000

111 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota PRIUS

Owner Complaints

111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota PRIUS (6 mention a crash, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Steering39
Service Brakes17
Electrical System13
Engine And Engine Cooling13
Tires12
Power Train9
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Feb 1, 2026 · Wheels, Service Brakes, Engine
“Many things are happening to my truck that’s why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much”
Oct 26, 2022 · Steering
“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate with an unknown message displayed on the instrument panel. As the failure…”
Aug 31, 2020 · Service Brakes
“OCCASIONALLY, WHEN BRAKING, THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO BRAKE, THEN LURCH FORWARD A LITTLE, AND THEN BRAKE AGAIN PROPERLY. IT'S DISCONCERTING AT BEST AND SCARY AND DANGEROUS AT WORST. I'VE HAD THIS BRAKE…”
Jul 10, 2020 · Electrical System, Service Brakes
“FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN DRIVING, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL ENGAGE, WITHOUT PRESSING THE E BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, INTERMITTENT ONCE CAR IS PARKED AND DOORS LOCKED, ALARM WILL JUST START GOING OFF FOR…”
Jan 26, 2020 · Steering
“IT'S MOSTLY WHEN I'M TURNING RIGHT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WILL COME AND THERE WILL BE NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETIMES AS I WAS DRIVING IN…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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