Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (1) and the 2012 the most (25).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Hybrid propulsion system | — | — |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
2 | 2 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
4 | 1 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 50 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
6 | 1 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
12 | 1 | Service brakes | 4★ | 50 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
13 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 50 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
25 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 50 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: 25 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 12 (48%); Electrical system 3 (12%); Engine 2 (8%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 90,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: 13 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 7 (54%); Engine 3 (23%); Fuel/propulsion system 3 (23%).
Reports mention 3 crashes. 1 recall campaign listed.
2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 9 (75%); Electrical system 3 (25%); Power train 1 (8%).
Reports mention 3 crashes. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid years with the fewest complaints
2011 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Hybrid propulsion system 1 (100%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 2 (40%); Electrical system 1 (20%); Engine and engine cooling 1 (20%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 1 recall campaign listed.
2010 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 3 (50%); Electrical system 1 (17%); Engine 1 (17%).
Reports mention 2 crashes. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 90,000 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2025 model year; 1,024,407 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V744000)
- Curtain Shield Air Bag Inflators May Crack (2010–2012 model years; 482,002 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2016; 16V487000)
- Unlocked Rear Door May Open Unexpectedly (2025–2026 model years; 141,286 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2026; 26V049000)
- Electric Vehicle Fuse May Fracture Limiting Power (2012–2015 model years; 39,915 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2017; 17V718000)
All 4 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid recall campaigns · Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid years FAQ
Which Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2012, 2014 and 2013 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (33 of 68 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.