Toyota Prius problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 250 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls for the Toyota Prius. That averages 7.0 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.17 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact cars segment it ranks #2 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 23.0.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Toyota Prius has logged 250 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls, averaging 7.0 complaints per year which is far fewer than typical at an index of 0.17 against all tracked vehicles. While the overall trend is flat, the 2024 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average with a rate of 12.7 complaints per year and generated the most recent reports totaling 17 in the last 12 months compared to 39 in the previous year. The most common problem area is Electrical accounting for 18.4% of complaints, followed by Body & structure at 12.4%, with recurring terms including "prime", "tire", and "accelerated". Owners report 25 injuries and 1 death across all model years, with 48 complaints describing a crash or fire representing 19.2% of the total.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 2% of the 2018 and 2019 models (16 early complaints per model year versus 18).
The 2024 model year has the highest rate (12.7 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (2.8). The 2024 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. The 2021 model year sits well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (18.4% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (12.4%) and Interior & equipment (12.0%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “prime”, “tire”, “accelerated”, “system latches” and “sidewall”. 48 complaints (19.2%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 25 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 63 complaints versus 39 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising. The 2024 model year generated the most recent reports (17). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 21 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 11 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2019 (4). 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda Mazda3; Subaru Impreza, Kia Forte, Volkswagen Jetta and Nissan Sentra have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 58 | 6.7 | 0.16 | 23 | 0.26 | 5 | 3 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2019 | 38 | 5.0 | 0.12 | 13 | 0.16 | 6 | 3 | Brakes | View › |
| 2020 | 30 | 4.5 | 0.11 | 15 | 0.26 | 2 | 1 | Electrical | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 16 | 2.8 | 0.07 | 5 | 0.08 | 4 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 32 | 6.8 | 0.16 | 21 | 0.28 | 7 | 1 | Electrical | View › |
| 2023 | 24 | 6.5 | 0.15 | 11 | 0.13 | 9 | 4 | Electrical | View › |
| 2024 Years to research carefully | 34 | 12.7 | 0.3 | 21 | 0.3 | 17 | 4 | Wheels, tires & suspension | View › |
| 2025 | 18 | 10.8 | 0.26 | — | — | 13 | 2 | Electrical | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 63 · Previous 12 months: 39 Rising
Problem areas
Electrical ›
46 · 18.4% · 1.17 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- system latches7
- locks linkages7
- latches locks7
- prime6
Body & structure
31 · 12.4% · 1.35 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- prime5
- windshield12
- crack9
- defrost4
Interior & equipment
30 · 12.0% · 1.34 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- alarm3
- accelerated3
- suddenly5
- safety hazard3
Brakes
30 · 12.0% · 1.98 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- brake26
- pedal16
- crashed7
- depressed7
Wheels, tires & suspension
28 · 11.2% · 4.49 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire26
- sidewall11
- toyo6
- blew7
Engine
21 · 8.4% · 0.38 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- heat exchanger3
- front exhaust3
- prime3
- mall3
Transmission / powertrain
18 · 7.2% · 0.62 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- prime3
- mode4
- shifted3
- applied3
Airbags & seat belts
16 · 6.4% · 1.68 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- deployed7
- airbag6
- totaled4
- belt5
Other
9 · 3.6% · 1.99 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- accelerated4
- cause determined3
- injuries3
- pedal4
Lighting
9 · 3.6% · 2.3 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- beam5
- headlights5
- automatic high3
- illumination3
Driver-assist systems
6 · 2.4% · 0.42 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Steering
3 · 1.2% · 0.18 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Fuel system
3 · 1.2% · 0.28 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- prime30
- tire28
- accelerated22
- system latches7
- sidewall11
- toyo6
- locks linkages7
- latches locks7
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 21 months
What owners report
The contact owned a 2024 Toyota Prius Prime PHEV. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle that was traveling towards the contact's vehicle at approximately 50 MPH.
I was driving my 2024 Toyota Prius and was involved in a front-end collision. The impact was strong enough to cause significant front-end damage, but the front airbag did NOT deploy. I was wearing my seatbelt at the time.
The small battery located in the back of the car has a serious problem. I have been stranded over four times now. The battery loses it charge or isn't being fully charged up. When I go to get in the car.
premature/uneven tire wear, have had 3 blown tires and replaced 7 tires in 55K. i purchased the 2024 Prius awd new. all 4 tires wear on inner edge of tire even with 5k tire rotation. had a wheel alignment done at 50k nothing was out of balance.
Coolant is leaking into the catalytic converter. This seems to be a common issue. Toyota issued a technical service bulletin on XXX covering this exactly.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact cars
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda Mazda3 | 318 | 6.6 | 0.16 | Improving | Falling | 15 | Electrical |
| 2 | Toyota Prius | 250 | 7.0 | 0.17 | Stable | Rising | 11 | Electrical |
| 3 | Subaru Impreza | 494 | 9.5 | 0.23 | Improving | Steady | 13 | Body & structure |
| 4 | Kia Forte | 534 | 12.7 | 0.3 | Improving | Rising | 10 | Engine |
| 5 | Volkswagen Jetta | 843 | 18.0 | 0.43 | Improving | Steady | 22 | Engine |
| 6 | Nissan Sentra | 904 | 19.5 | 0.46 | Improving | Steady | 14 | Electrical |
| 7 | Toyota Corolla | 1,128 | 27.0 | 0.64 | Stable | Steady | 15 | Engine |
| 8 | Hyundai Elantra | 1,404 | 32.0 | 0.76 | Worsening | Steady | 19 | Engine |
| 9 | Honda Civic | 2,937 | 73.3 | 1.74 | Worsening | Falling | 14 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 11
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (3) · 2019 (3) · 2020 (1) · 2021 (0) · 2022 (1) · 2023 (4) · 2024 (4) · 2025 (2)
Investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
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 pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Prius model year has the most complaints?
The 2024 model year has the highest rate (12.7 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (2.8).
Is the Toyota Prius getting better or worse?
The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 2% of the 2018 and 2019 models (16 early complaints per model year versus 18). In the last 12 months owners filed 63 complaints versus 39 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising.
What are the most common Toyota Prius problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (18.4% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (12.4%) and Interior & equipment (12.0%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “prime”, “tire”, “accelerated”, “system latches” and “sidewall”.
How does the Toyota Prius compare with other Compact cars?
Within the Compact cars segment it ranks #2 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 23.0. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda Mazda3; Subaru Impreza, Kia Forte, Volkswagen Jetta and Nissan Sentra have more.
Does the Toyota Prius have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 11 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2019 (4). 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).