Toyota Prius Problems by Year

We compared every Toyota Prius model year from 2001–2026 using 12,517 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 35 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006 and 2008, which drew far more complaints than other Prius years at the same age. The best years are 2021, 2020 and 2018.

26model years
12,517complaints
35recalls
2011, 2010worst years
2021, 2020best years

Complaints by model year

’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26165167996101.1k1.4k2.0k1.5k5022.8k521424414209166155913730146242127166
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota Prius. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20266typical1HeadlightAverage
202516−43%2ElectricalGood
202427−57%4Wheel & TireGood
202321−73%4ElectricalGood
202224−74%1ElectricalGood
20216−93%—EngineGood
202014−89%—BrakeGood
201930−84%3BrakeGood
201837−85%1Window & WiperGood
201791−69%3Window & WiperGood
2016155−49%5Window & WiperGood
2015166−70%1BrakeGood
2014209−57%3BrakeGood
2013414−33%3BrakeAverage
2012424typical6BrakeAverage
20115211.5×6BrakeCaution
20102,82310.6×10BrakeAvoid
20095021.8×6BrakeCaution
20081,4975.4×4HeadlightAvoid
20072,0037.5×4HeadlightAvoid
20061,4395.5×6HeadlightAvoid
20051,0513.6×6HeadlightAvoid
20046102.2×6HeadlightAvoid
200399−74%1SteeringGood
2002167−59%2SteeringGood
2001165−53%3SteeringGood

* Complaints compared with the median Prius year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Toyota Prius problems

Latest Toyota Prius recalls

Electrical system › Wiring › Switches/knobs/buttons

NHTSA recall 26V-049 · Jan 28, 2026 · 141,286 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.

Remedy: Dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 25V-744 · Oct 30, 2025 · 1,024,407 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models.

Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 24V-548 · Jul 23, 2024 · 33,848 vehicles

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra…

Remedy: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.

Electrical system › Wiring › Switches/knobs/buttons

NHTSA recall 24V-274 · Apr 17, 2024 · 55,690 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both right and left rear door opener switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM) › Software

NHTSA recall 21V-734 · Sep 22, 2021 · 8,411 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may falsely detect an error and shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

All 35 Toyota Prius recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Toyota Prius should you avoid?

2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2008 and 2005 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Prius years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2011.

What is the best year for the Toyota Prius?

2021 has the fewest complaints compared with other Prius years at the same age, followed by 2020 and 2018. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Toyota Prius problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (4,464), lights (3,510) and electrical system (1,595). Brake complaints peak in the 2010 model year.

How many recalls has the Toyota Prius had?

35 recalls across 2001–2026. The model year with the most is 2010. See all Toyota Prius recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.