Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 11% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% | 3,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% | 58,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% | 179,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% | 63,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 0% | 49,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 1% | 48,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 0% | 18,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 0% | 91,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 0% | 107,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 0% | 21,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 0% | 30,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% | 20,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% | 27,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% | 40,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
After the car dealership completed the first tire rotations, at 30,000 miles I rotated the tires to find severe inner tread wear on the tires where the inside of the tire was wore to the sidewall while outside portion was intact. I took the vehicle to an independent shop and the right rear suspension/tire was out of specifications on camber causing said tire wear. Toyota did not manufacture the car so that camber could be adjusted. An aftermarket kit was purchased to be able to compensate for the lack of adjustment. This is a safety concern as if a person does not rotate every 5,000 miles it will lead to tire failure at highway speeds. This is a common problem while researching forums. I have contacted the manufacturer and was given a generic response. There are reports with documentation with tire failure as early as 11,000 miles. …
Took vehicle in for new tires and alignment at 47,302 miles on the odometer. I was informed that a camber bolt was completely seized and that the right rear control arm busing was bad/missing. My car is just over a year old and has been vibrating for a while at interstate speeds. I thought it was a belt broken in a tire as they were reaching the time to be changes but weren't at the wear marks. I did have one tire that the inside was worn and starting into the belt most likely because of the misalignment from the bad/missing right rear bushing. With the car being so new and used mostly on the interstate, I felt this may be a saftey issue for failing bushings on suspension components.
Under t-sb-0144-16. Alot of 2016 Toyota Prius owners are complaining a click noise from rear of vehicle while driving. I confirmed through Prius chat under technical service bulletin 0144-16 that clicking noise is from the support nuts on the rear shocks. I attempted to have it fix as a recall. The Toyota service repair in san bruno california said my basic warranty expired & they refused to fix it even though the issue is a potential safety-related defects and there are adequacy of existing safety complaint with many Prius customers via Prius chat/TSB.
When breaking while traveling over bumps/ripples on the road or over rough road conditions such as potholes or roadwork, the vehicle feels as though the breaks are skipping or failing. This has occurred multiple times under the same or similar conditions. There is a sensation while attempting to stop, that the car is not going to stop in time or that you have lost control of the vehicle's ability to stop safely.
I was inching into a grocery store parking spot in my new, perfectly maintained 2015 Toyota Prius when I experienced unintended acceleration. My vehicle shot forward and in a second had crashed over a cement curb, through a flower bed, and was stopped - despite my desperately jamming the brake - only by smashing into a brick wall. The suspension and steering on the car is now severely damaged, and the car cannot be driven. I am horrified: I could have been seriously injured and worse, hit/hurt another person (or at the very least severely damaged property). What if I had chosen a parking spot in front of a group of children?!! They cloud have been killed! The car is now at a Toyota service center waiting for Toyota corporate to "decide" if a car accelerating into a brick wall of its accord is a "design flaw" that it will pay to fix. …
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while reversing, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and performed an inspection of the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the passenger's side rear wheel was touching the frame of the wheel well. Additionally, the wheel was leaning inward. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fractured rear wheel assembly. The contact was informed that the rear wheel assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure. The contact was informed by the independent mechanic that two similar vehicles had been repaired with similar failures, within the week. …
While driving straight on smooth paved road, car began to shake and right rear passenger wheel came completely separated from car. After skidding off the road and being able to visually inspect, it was clear the sub-frame had broken and the wheel had come off in its entirety. The rotor, the lugs, and calipers were all still attached to the wheel.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while reversing, the driver's side rear wheel flipped over. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a corroded I-Beam assembly on the rear wheel. The contact was informed that the driver's side rear hub and the BRG assembly, rear suspension, and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,347.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Prius years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (9), 2010 (9), 2002 (8), 2007 (8) and 2012 (8) model years. Suspension complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Toyota Prius suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for any Toyota Prius model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Prius suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 63% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (9 mentions), followed by the rear (4).
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.