Most common 2017 Toyota Prius problems
Share of the 91 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Prius complaints by model year
Best Prius years: 2021, 2020, 2018. Years to avoid: 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2017 Toyota Prius recalls (3)
Electrical system › Wiring
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage.
Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017.
Parking brake
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent the cable from disengaging, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2017 Toyota Prius:
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 pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2017 Toyota Prius owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Windshield cracked from bottom to top and across while sitting and there was no evidence of a rock or chip that would cause that. Air temp was about 95 degrees. No rain, no impact, car was sitting parked and not running.
Friday January 12, 2018, drove vehicle 3.5 hours on highway during period of declining temperatures- 34 to 29 fahrenheit, with snow beginning hour 2.5. Operated front defrost continuously for entire 3.5 hour trip with cabin temp between 72 and 75f. Made 2 stops, 10 minutes each- one at 1.5 hours and one at 3 hours. Parked overnight in home garage at end of trip. Air temp declined to 19f overnight. Backed car out of garage in morning and windshield cracked at centerline of front defrost vent. Crack has continued to expand to points almost exactly 5 inches beyond each end of defrost vent, then stopped expanding. Passenger side (right side) crack is aligned exactly with centerline of defrost vent. At point 5" outboard of vent, passenger side crack turns down and extends to bottom edge of windshield. …
Brakes
On 9/14/22 I was almost a hundred miles from my home in Sherrill, NY on Rte 81 south, approaching the bridge in Binghamton, NY when I heard a loud ringing noise. At first I thought it was my phone; then I thought it was a police vehicle; then a construction noise. I finally faced the fact if was coming from my 2017 Prius which had just reached 20,000 miles. I was in heavy traffic but managed to pull over and walk around the car as the noise seemed to be coming from the rear. I saw nothing amiss. I managed to drive another twenty minutes to Great Bend, PA and just before I pulled into the parking lot at McDonalds the noise stopped. I called Nye Automotive in Oneida, NY which had sold me the car and talked to a mechanic who said he had no experience with a ringing noise. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 19 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle failed to stop and the vehicle crashed into the vehicle in front. A police report was not filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the millenium Toyota, 257 n franklin st, hempstead, ny 11550, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and an inspector was sent out to retrieve information from the vehicle data recorder. The conclusion was driver error. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.
Speed control & acceleration
For the second time (first in 2019) I was seconds and maybe two feet from stopping the car to park when, with my foot on the brake, the car suddenly and without warning lunged forward at what seemed like full throttle. The first "crash" was in my driveway. The force was shocking and took off the front of the car. I insisted Toyota investigate and they ultimately denied any liability. After the car was allegedly repaired, I started noticing another phenomenon: every time I would slow down to brake--approaching an intersection or stop sign, etc.--the car would briefly lunge forward before the brakes engaged to stop the car. I reported this to the dealer 2-3 times and each time I was assured that this was "normal" for a hybrid transitioning from gas to electric at a lower speed. …
On 10/16/23 I was turning slowly into a parking spot and my car suddenly accelerated without my pressing the accelerator. I slammed on the break and the car stopped. It was frightening because I could have hit someone or something but luckily the car stopped before that happened. I believe that this was a malfunction of the accelerator. This has not been checked or reported to anyone yet but I will be calling Toyota to have it checked. There have been no warning messages.
2017 Toyota Prius engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 58 / 53 / 56 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Toyota Prius a good car?
Based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Prius rates better than average: 69% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Prius at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Toyota Prius?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 17 complaints, 19% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (14) and speed control & acceleration (13).
How many recalls does the 2017 Toyota Prius have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2017 Toyota Prius, the most recent from September 5, 2018 (wiring). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Prius?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2020 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006 and 2008. See the full Toyota Prius years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Toyota Prius problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 14,000 miles; 88% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.