SoCaluser 
2001 Toyota Prius Sedan 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Problematic
 We've owned lots of Toyotas and usually
expect high reliability from the
company.  The 2001 Prius hasn't met that
expectation.  Our car has been the shop
every couple of months with lots of
problems including: tires wearing out,
steering column noise, battery dying,
mysterious engine stalls, electrical
problems that disabled the radio and
assorted other nagging things.  We've
been quite surprise by the severity of
the problems and the inability of Toyota
to diagnose and fix them.   Presumably,
the newer version of the Prius have
worked through the problems.  But the
2001 was been a disappointment.  