Toyota Prius years to avoid (and the best years)
4,950 NHTSA owner complaints and 26 recalls across 15 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 4,950complaints
- 26recalls
- 407reported crashes
- 29reported fires
- 199reported injuries
- 6reported deaths
Which Toyota Prius years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Toyota Prius years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The typical Toyota Prius year has 91 complaints on file.
- 2010: 2,822 complaints, 31 times the typical year. Most reported problem: Momentary brake loss over bumps.
- 2011: 517 complaints, 5.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the brakes (53% of complaints) and the electrical system (13% of complaints).
- 2012: 422 complaints, 4.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the brakes (47% of complaints) and the electrical system (12% of complaints).
- 2013: 409 complaints, 4.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the brakes (58% of complaints) and the electrical system (12% of complaints).
- 2014: 207 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the brakes (48% of complaints) and the electrical system (16% of complaints).
What are the best Toyota Prius years?
The Toyota Prius years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (14), 2022 (24) and 2019 (30). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 0.2× | 2 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 24 | 0.3× | 4 | 4 | 0 | Few red flags | Wheels |
| 2023 | 19 | 0.2× | 4 | 1 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 24 | 0.3× | 1 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 14 | 0.2× | 0 | 6 | 6 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2019 | 30 | 0.3× | 3 | 7 | 2 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2018 | 36 | 0.4× | 1 | 5 | 2 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2017 | 91 | 1.0× | 3 | 12 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2016 | 154 | 1.7× | 5 | 8 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2015 | 165 | 1.8× | 1 | 29 | 17 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2014 | 207 | 2.3× | 3 | 25 | 15 | Approach with caution | Brakes |
| 2013 | 409 | 4.5× | 3 | 39 | 23 | Approach with caution | Brakes |
| 2012 | 422 | 4.6× | 6 | 46 | 33 | Approach with caution | Brakes |
| 2011 | 517 | 5.7× | 6 | 37 | 17 | Approach with caution | Brakes |
| 2010 | 2,822 | 31.0× | 10 | 183 | 65 | Approach with caution | Momentary brake loss over bumps |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 3,450 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Brakes2,196 (64%)
- Engine & powertrain439 (13%)
- Electrical & infotainment414 (12%)
- Steering, suspension & tires130 (4%)
- Airbags & seat belts118 (3%)
Recalls (26)
Electrical system · 26V049000 · Jan 2026 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 25V744000 · Oct 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V548000 · Jul 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 24V274000 · Apr 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving or during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Engine · 21V734000 · Sep 2021 · model year 2022
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V369000 · Jun 2020 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 19V876000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2019
A blank main display will not show important information like vehicle speed or fuel level. Driving with an inoperative display can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V544000 · Jul 2019 · model year 2019
Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V244000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V684000 · Oct 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V579000 · Sep 2018 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 18V085000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2016
If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 17V658000 · Oct 2017 · model year 2016
If the capacitor was not properly secured, vibrations from driving the vehicle may damage the capacitor, shutting down the hybrid system, causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 17V295000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V741000 · Oct 2016 · model years 2016, 2017
If the parking brake cable disengages from the mechanism and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V672000 · Sep 2016 · model year 2016
A front passenger air bag that unintentionally inflates can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Airbags · 16V487000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If either portion of the curtain shield air bag inflator ejects into the passenger cabin, there is an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Safety · 16V396000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 14V743000 · Nov 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Safety · 14V053000 · Feb 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 13V235000 · Jun 2013 · model year 2010
As nitrogen is released into the brake fluid, the brake pedal may have reduced hydraulic pressure. Under certain circumstances, this condition could affect stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 13V123000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2012
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Airbags · 13V014000 · Jan 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Brakes · 10V039000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES MAY INCREASE RELATIVE TO A CUSTOMER'S EXPECTATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V036000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V035000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.