2003 Toyota Prius Service and Repair Manual

The 2003 Toyota Prius came one way: a single Base trim over the 1.5L hybrid four (1NZ-FXE), with the gasoline engine and the electric motor sharing the work. That drivetrain is what sets the job apart from a conventional four-cylinder Toyota of the same era, and the procedures and specifications here are the ones Toyota wrote for this car and this model year.

Engines

• 1.5L 1500CC l4 HYBRID Naturally Aspirated

Trims

• Base

Known issues on the 2003 Prius. One recall is on federal record for this model year, and it covers the electric power assist steering system. Toyota recalled certain model year 2001 through 2003 Prius passenger cars manufactured from January 28, 2000, through May 30, 2003, because the steering linkage may loosen. The consequence on record is a loss of power steering, particularly when an operator is actively intending to steer the vehicle. Owners have filed 123 complaints against the 2003 Prius, and Toyota has issued 74 technical service bulletins for it.

Whether the work in front of you is a loosening steering linkage, a hybrid system service procedure, or one of the faults behind those 74 bulletins, you are working to Toyota's own method and to the right specification for this 2003 Prius.