Sell your 2002 Toyota Prius for cash

The 2002 Toyota Prius is a compact car that came with a 1.5L 4-cyl engine. At 24 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2002 Toyota Prius at a glance

Body styleCompact Cars
Engines1.5L 4-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy42 city / 41 highway / 41 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$1,650 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂217 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA1 configuration
Age24 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 24 years old, most of a 2002 Prius's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a compact car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Hybrid battery: hybrid versions also carry a high-voltage battery pack, which recyclers and rebuilders pay for.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Prius. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the steering, typically around 100,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2002 Toyota Prius recalls

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 2002 Toyota Prius. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

SteeringJun 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V304000

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.

Risk: Loss of power steering, particularly when an operator is actively intending to steer the vehicle, may increase the risk of a crash.

Engine and Engine CoolingJul 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V266000

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 harness connector may not be sufficiently attached to the locking tab of the sensor wiring connector.

Risk: Engine oil inside the sensor wiring connector could cause expansion due to the heat of the engine and could deform the sensor wiring connector. The connector may become disconnected, which could cause the engine to stall while driving and n

Common 2002 Prius problems

Owners have filed 167 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Prius with NHTSA. 12 reports involved a crash and 4 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 11 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Steering57
  • Electrical System13
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic13
  • Tires12
  • Vehicle Speed Control10
  • Steering8

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Steering100,000 mi
  • Electrical System95,000 mi
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic40,000 mi
  • Tires24,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control49,000 mi
  • Steering52,000 mi

2002 Toyota Prius service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 136 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2002 Toyota Prius. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Structure19
  • Electrical System17
  • Equipment17
  • Equipment13
  • Electrical System10
  • Engine6

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2026 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2

    OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2026 · T-SB-0009-26

    This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicab

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2024 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2

    Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle o

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2024 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2

    To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the whe

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2002 Toyota Prius.

Electrical SystemDP22005 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023Led to recall 22V063000

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pe

Selling a 2002 Prius: questions

How much is a 2002 Toyota Prius worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2002 Prius that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2002 Priuss that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2002 Prius with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Toyota Prius; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2002 Prius?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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