Toyota Prius reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 4,979 complaints about the Toyota Prius with NHTSA since 2010, most often about brakes and brakes. Toyota has filed 16 warranty extensions and 19 service campaigns for it, and there are 26 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Toyota Prius? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Prius a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 4,979
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 16
- Filed by Toyota
- Service campaigns
- 19
- Filed by Toyota
- Safety recalls
- 26
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Prius with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | Exterior lights (33%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 16 | Electrical system (38%) | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 27 | Other or unspecified (33%) | 4 | 3 |
| 2023 | 20 | Electrical system (25%) | 4 | 4 |
| 2022 | 24 | Electrical system (25%) | 1 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 | Engine (33%) | 0 | 2 |
| 2020 | 14 | Other or unspecified (36%) | 0 | 3 |
| 2019 | 30 | Brakes (30%) | 3 | 2 |
| 2018 | 37 | Other or unspecified (16%) | 1 | 8 |
| 2017 | 91 | Visibility and wipers (19%) | 3 | 7 |
| 2016 | 155 | Visibility and wipers (26%) | 5 | 10 |
| 2015 | 166 | Brakes (54%) | 1 | 9 |
| 2014 | 208 | Brakes (45%) | 3 | 12 |
| 2013 | 411 | Brakes (56%) | 3 | 12 |
| 2012 | 424 | Brakes (43%) | 6 | 8 |
| 2011 | 521 | Brakes (51%) | 6 | 10 |
| 2010 | 2,823 | Brakes (30%) | 10 | 13 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Prius model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Toyota
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Toyota filed with NHTSA for the Prius, in its own words. A warranty extension means Toyota pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2023· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013–2015
DP: Customer Support Program 20TE10 has been superseded by 23TE03
- Warranty extensionNov 2022· Body and structure· model years 2010–2015
TI: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint
- Warranty extensionOct 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013–2015
FAQ: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Customer Support Program to extend the coverage for repairs related to failure of the Intelligent Power Module (IPM).
- Warranty extensionAug 2020· Electrical system· model years 2013
Ti: Technical instructions for limited service campaign K0P customer support program 19TE12 safety connect system ? Vehicle location inaccurate
- Warranty extensionDec 2019· Body and structure· model years 2013–2015
Dealer Daily Message: ***Phase 2 ? Customer Renotification and Repair Phase*** Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint.
- Warranty extensionNov 2019· Exterior lights· model years 2010–2011
Customer Support Program ZHB Expired October 31, 2019. Toyota has received a number of reports regarding the halogen head lamps on certain 2010–2011 model year Prius vehicles.
Manufacturer reference Updated ZHB Deal: quote it to a dealer to check whether a car is covered.
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013–2017
Region Letter: The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles is equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support features of the Safety Connect system.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2012
Warranty Enhancement Program: Toyota has received reports of a rough idle and/or rattle noise from the transaxle at cold start due to a sticking Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve in some vehicles.
- Warranty extensionMay 2019· Exterior lights· model years 2010–2011
Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which their vehicle?s halogen low beam headlamp bulbs lifetime is shorter than expected.
- Warranty extensionSep 2018· Brakes· model years 2010–2015
Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions.
- Warranty extensionAug 2018· Brakes· model years 2010
Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions.
- Warranty extensionAug 2018· Brakes· model years 2010
Region Letter: Toyota has received reports about certain internal malfunctions of the brake booster assemblies in some of the subject vehicles.
- Warranty extensionAug 2018· Brakes· model years 2010
Dealer Email: Toyota has received reports about certain internal malfunctions of the brake booster assemblies in some of the subject vehicles.
- Warranty extensionMay 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2014
In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the inverter assembly of the hybrid system may fail.
- Warranty extensionAug 2014· Electrical system· model years 2010–2014
Electronic Communication: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for repairs related to failure of the Intelligent Power Module (IPM).
- Warranty extensionAug 2014· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2014
Prius hybrid 2010-2014 Warranty has been extended for intelligent power module(ipm) for the following vehicles.
- Service campaignSep 2026· Electrical system· model years 2024–2025
Technical instructions for special service campaign 26TC01 power distribution box certain 2024 – 2025 Model year prius 2024 Model year prius phv
- Service campaignJun 2025· Electrical system· model years 2013–2025
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
- Service campaignJan 2025· Engine· model years 2023
Technical instructions for special service campaign 24TC08 ti ver. 1 fuel tank filler clamp and vapor leak detection certain 2023-2024 Model year corolla HV certain 2023 Model year prius
- Service campaignOct 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2022–2024
The subject vehicles were delivered with only one (1) Smart Key on select models since October 2022 due to a global semiconductor shortage impacting certain microchips. The affected vehicles were delivered with one (1) Smart Key and a second mechanical key.
- Service campaignJun 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2022
Safety Recall and Service Campaign completion is an important part of our commitment to customer satisfaction of Toyota products.
- Service campaignJun 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2022
Toyota plans to conduct Safety Recall and Service Campaign follow-up notifications to owners whose vehicles have not yet had the following Safety Recall and/or Service Campaign repairs completed
- Service campaignJun 2024· Electrical system· model years 2023
Technical instructions for special service campaign 24TC03 data communicaton module (dcm) update certain 2023 Corolla, corolla cross, corolla hatchback, corolla HV, gr corolla, crown, highlander, highlander HV, prius, RAV4, RAV4 prime, RAV4 HV, venza HV
- Service campaignApr 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2022
SSC: Toyota Over-The- Air (OTA) Pilot Program Team Members SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 22TC01
- Service campaignMar 2021· Airbags· model years 2010–2021
Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignFeb 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2020
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignOct 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2012, 2016
Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall/Special Service Campaign Follow-Up Notices to owners whose vehicles have not yet had the following Safety Recall/Special Service Campaign repairs completed. Please note the following information for Regional and PD associates.
- Service campaignJun 2019· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2016
Technical instructions: Technical instructions for limited service campaign G0T software update for combination meter certain 2016 Model year prius.
- Service campaignNov 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2018
Dealer Daily Message: In our continuing effort to encourage increased customer participation in Special Service Campaigns, Toyota will be piloting a new method for contacting customers whose vehicles have compatible multimedia head units in Special Service Campaign J0R.
- Service campaignOct 2018· Electrical system· model years 2016–2018
Technical instructions: Technical instructions for special service campaign J0R intelligent clearance sonar (ics) system reprogram certain: 2018 Camry & camry hybrid 2016–2018 Prius 2017 - 2018 Prius prime
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Prius model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Brakes1,513 (30%)
- Brakes849 (17%)
- Brakes502 (10%)
- Electrical system485 (10%)
- Cruise control and speed control396 (8%)
- Other or unspecified337 (7%)
- Engine322 (6%)
- Exterior lights252 (5%)
Safety recalls
26 recalls cover at least one Prius model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.
Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse.
The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values.
Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.
The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may falsely detect an error and shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power.
Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
An electrical short circuit in the combination meter could occur, causing the speedometer, the odometer, and the fuel gauge to go blank.
The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist.
The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.
Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
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.
The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing.
The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
And 11 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- DP23005Defect petition· opened Nov 2023, still open· Brakes· model years 2010–2015
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
- DP22005Defect petition· opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023· Electrical system· model years 2010–2022
Pedestrian alert sounds
Led to recall 22V063000.
- DP19004Defect petition· opened Sep 2019, closed Jan 2021· Brakes· model years 2010–2015
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
- PE10006Preliminary evaluation· opened Feb 2010, closed Jul 2010· Brakes· model years 2010
Braking Performance, Hybrid Vehicle
NHTSA's own page for the 2027 Toyota Prius has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Toyota Prius reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 4,979 owner complaints, 16 warranty extensions and 19 service campaigns Toyota filed, and 26 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (2,823), 2011 (521), 2012 (424). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Toyota Prius?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name brakes (30%), brakes (17%), brakes (10%). Toyota has filed 16 warranty extensions covering the Prius, listed on this page.
Which Prius model years have the most complaints?
2010 (2,823), 2011 (521), 2012 (424). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Prius with each other rather than with other models.
Has Toyota extended the warranty on the Prius?
Yes: equipment and accessories (model years 2013–2015); body and structure (model years 2010–2015); equipment and accessories (model years 2013–2015), and 13 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Prius?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 26 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.