Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2018 | 6 | 16% | 22,000 miles |
| 2017 | 17 | 19% | 10,000 miles |
| 2016 | 41 | 26% | 18,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% | 12,000 miles |
| 2014 | 11 | 5% | 16,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% | 1,000 miles |
| 2012 | 30 | 7% | 1,000 miles |
| 2011 | 12 | 2% | 53,000 miles |
| 2010 | 21 | 1% | 33,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 0% | 160,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 1% | 75,000 miles |
| 2007 | 25 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 14 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2005 | 15 | 1% | 75,000 miles |
| 2004 | 9 | 1% | 71,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Was driving around 35 mph and my right side mirror blew up. The back blew off and the mirror was shattered and hanging. Nothing hit it. Contacted Toyota and the parts have been on a stop, but there is no recall. It has been 4 months.
The car is inadequate in the winter. When it snows I can't keep the windows clean. They changed the fittings and I can't even put winter blades on the car. Also, and this applies to almost all new cars as well, the LED lights freeze over. It's a safety hazard not to have lights that work. And it's a safety hazard to have to get out of the car in dangerous conditions to try and scrape ice off the windows and lights. The front and rear lights get caked with ice and snow. This picture is of my windshield after an hour of warming up. The wipers stay caked with ice. And when I turn them on, this is what happens. They smear the windshield with ice. They smear it with water too. I can't squeegee water with ice. I'd love to trade it in, but everyone has LED lights. They're a safety hazard. And these issues are keeping me from buying a new car. …
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. …
I reported issues with this car in 2018. Clicking sounds under the car which is still happening, peeling paint on exterior and inside door areas, substandard windshield that spread in a very unusual pattern when hit by a small rock. The NHTSA ID Number that was assigned to these complaints is [redacted] . None of these problems have been addressed. There are other owners that have experienced the same problems, apparently their issues have not been addressed. These problems should have been sent by you to the Toyota Corporation, but apparently was not. I have owned many Toyota vehicles and have not experienced these problems. I also own a 2012 Toyota Prius which I drive when I when I am traveling on the interstate, because I feel that the clicking noises on the 2016 Toyota Prius is a safety issue that seems to be coming from the steering section underneath the car. …
Moments ago, I entered my 2016 Toyota Prius to find that my windshield had mysteriously cracked while parked over night. The crack was not present when I last drove the car last night. Based on some online research for windshield replacement cost, I've learned that Toyota was faced with a class action lawsuit regarding 2016-17 Toyota Prius containing defective windshields; in which these windshields are known to unexpectedly crack while parked or under ordinary driving conditions. Furthermore, my Toyota Prius is equipped with safety features (such as pre-collision system, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams and full-speed dynamic radar cruise control) that require a front camera to function properly. …
Traveling at highway speed between kansas city and st. Louis(55-70 MPH, high wind, 60-70 degrees and rain, wipers on constant high between one hour to one and quarter hours of driving, wipers stopped working, blades pointing straight up. Checked for obstruction and tried to move blade/arms no change. After about 15-30 minutes they started working again on there own, (very upset hard to pinpoint time). Used intermittent mostly and low as little as possible for next three hours of driving with no problem, (switched to high wipers once or twice for less than 30 seconds each time). Rear washer/wiper was fine and front washer worked when problem was present. Very scary driving even after they started working not knowing if they would stop again. Took vehicle to dealer two days later and they could not duplicate condition and returned vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Toyota Prius. While driving various speeds, the contact noticed that the windshield was distorted and made visibility difficult. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the distortion was confirmed; however, a technician from the manufacturer stated that the windshield was normal. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on numerous occasions; however, all replacement parts were distorted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,000. Updated 10/18/16
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Prius years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (41), 2012 (30), 2007 (25), 2010 (21) and 2017 (17) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 26% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Toyota Prius window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles; 70% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield (10 mentions), followed by the sun/moon roof assembly (8).
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.