2021 Toyota Prius Problems & Complaints

Better than average93% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Prius at the same age

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Prius with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 93% fewer than a typical Prius model year at the same age, making the 2021 one of the better Prius years. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (2 complaints, typically around 5,000 miles).

6complaints
0recalls
1crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2021 Toyota Prius problems

  • Engine & cooling~5,000 miles
    233%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~5,000 miles
    233%
  • Wheels & tires~0 miles
    117%
  • Other / not specified~5,000 miles
    117%
  • Brakes
    117%
  • Electrical system
    117%
  • Driver assistance
    117%
  • Speed control & acceleration~56,000 miles
    117%

Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Toyota Prius 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).

Best Prius years: 2021, 2020, 2018. Years to avoid: 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2021 Toyota Prius:

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA investigation DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V-063

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.

2021 Toyota Prius engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
1.8L 4-cyl hybridCVTFWD58 / 53 / 56
1.8L 4-cyl hybridCVT4WD51 / 47 / 49

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius a good car?

Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Prius rates better than average: 93% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Prius at the same age. It is one of the best Prius years by this measure. 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 2021 Toyota Prius?

The engine & cooling — 2 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (2) and wheels & tires (1).

How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Prius have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2021 Toyota Prius. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 2021 Toyota Prius problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 5,000 miles; 67% 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.