Toyota Prius Prime years to avoid (and the best years)
94 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls across 5 model years, 2017 to 2024. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 94complaints
- 5recalls
- 19reported crashes
- 0reported fires
- 9reported injuries
Which Toyota Prius Prime years should you avoid?
No Toyota Prius Prime model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Toyota Prius Prime year has 15 complaints on file.
What are the best Toyota Prius Prime years?
The Toyota Prius Prime years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (10), 2018 (15) and 2020 (16). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 0.7× | 4 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 10 | 0.7× | 0 | 4 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 16 | 1.1× | 1 | 5 | 0 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2018 | 15 | 1.0× | 0 | 4 | 3 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2017 | 42 | 2.8× | 0 | 5 | 3 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 37 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Electrical & infotainment10 (27%)
- Engine & powertrain8 (22%)
- Structure & body5 (14%)
- Other systems5 (14%)
- Brakes4 (11%)
Recalls (5)
Electrical system · 26V049000 · Jan 2026 · model year 2024
A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 25V744000 · Oct 2025 · model year 2024
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 year 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 year 2024
A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving or during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V544000 · Jul 2019 · model year 2020
Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.