ToyotaPrius2001Overview/toyota/prius/2001/base/

2001 Toyota Prius

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Prius.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2001 Toyota Prius is a passenger‑car equipped with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios and an engine that requires 3.8 qt of 5W‑30 API oil. It achieves EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 42/41/41 mpg, underscoring its efficiency. The model recorded 174 total owner complaints, steering as the leading complaint area and only three recalls, placing its complaint volume near the low end of the model’s history, which peaked at 2,819 complaints in 2010 and reached a low of four in 2000.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy42/41/41 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S34B20L · 270 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI S34B20L · 270 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175-65R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780121020
Spark plug9008091184
Battery2880021052
Front wiper blades8522212750 alt 8521204012
Serpentine belt9936331120
Thermostat9091603093 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter871394701083

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length169.7 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Curb weight2767 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined42 / 41 / 41 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Prius of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

12.2–13.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 12.20 sec — 2001 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001Sedan 1.5L I-4 + Elec12.20 sec18.90 sec70 hpFWD
2001Sedan 1.5L I-4 + Elec13.00 sec19.20 sec70 hpFWD
2001Sedan 1.5L I-4 + Elec13.70 sec19.40 sec70 hpFWD
2002Sedan 1.5L I-4 + Elec12.70 sec19.16 sec70 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.8 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.8 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts95 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing7-15 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.90 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberS34B20L
Standard BCI Cranking Performance270 cca

Service checks

RPM44.0-50.0 rpm
Residual Pressure21 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression77-106 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.788 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001 Prius marks the first year of the generation with a sharp rise in complaints—from only 4 in 2000 to 174 in 2001—while recalls stay low at three. Compared to the following year, complaints increase slightly to 193, but recalls drop to two, indicating a moderate recall trend during the early years. The year‑by‑year arc shows a pronounced spike in 2004–2006, then a gradual decline, with 2001 positioned early in the upward trend. The top complaint areas in 2001—steering (39), tires (24), electrical system (17), and vehicle speed control (13)—suggest early component reliability issues. Given the elevated complaint volume and limited recall activity, 2001 may not be the most reliable choice, and a later model year with fewer complaints would be a safer buy.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
162
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
174
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 174 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering39
Tires24
Electrical System17
Vehicle Speed Control13
Engine & Engine Cooling13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Suspension3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V304000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 01/06/2011

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… 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…

06V266000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 19/07/2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER MOLDING OF THE RESIN BODY OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENOR INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, ENGINE OIL MAY PENETRATE THE SEAL AND ENTER THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE WIRE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 162 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
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Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Prius take?

3.8 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Prius have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Prius get?

EPA figures are 42 city / 41 highway / 41 combined mpg.