Toyota Prius Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota Prius 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 2021 drew the fewest (6) and the 2010 the most (2,822).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
6 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 49–56 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
6 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 49–57 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
14 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 50–56 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
16 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 48–57 |
| 2023 | 20 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 49–57 |
| 2022 | 24 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 49–56 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
26 | 4 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 49–57 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
30 | 3 | Service brakes | 5★ | 50–56 |
| 2018 | 37 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 52–56 |
| 2017 | 91 | 3 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 52–56 |
| 2016 | 154 | 5 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 52–56 |
| 2015 | 166 | 1 | Service brakes | 4★ | 48 |
| 2014 | 207 | 3 | Service brakes | 4★ | 48 |
| 2013 | 410 | 3 | Service brakes | 5★ | 48 |
| 2012 | 424 | 6 | Service brakes | 5★ | 48 |
| 2009 | 502 | 6 | Service brakes | — | 46 |
| 2011 | 521 | 6 | Service brakes | 5★ | 48 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
1,497 | 4 | Exterior lighting | — | 46 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
2,003 | 4 | Exterior lighting | — | 46 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
2,822 | 10 | Service brakes | — | 50 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota Prius 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.
2010 Toyota Prius: 2,822 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 1,939 (69%); Vehicle speed control 287 (10%); Electrical system 192 (7%).
Reports mention 183 crashes, 13 fires, 65 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,423 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Toyota Prius: 2,003 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 1,060 (53%); Service brakes 329 (16%); Electrical system 248 (12%).
Reports mention 124 crashes, 9 fires, 70 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,500 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Toyota Prius: 1,497 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 579 (39%); Service brakes 389 (26%); Electrical system 235 (16%).
Reports mention 152 crashes, 6 fires, 71 injuries, 7 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 51,300 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Toyota Prius years with the fewest complaints
2021 Toyota Prius: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 2 (33%); Fuel/propulsion system 2 (33%); Electrical system 1 (17%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Toyota Prius: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 4 (29%); Electrical system 2 (14%); Tires 2 (14%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 6 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Toyota Prius: 30 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 11 (37%); Engine 6 (20%); Air bags 4 (13%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 5,500 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota Prius owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 2022 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 30 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5,500 |
| 2018 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2017 | 91 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 14,000 |
| 2016 | 154 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 19,700 |
| 2015 | 166 | 29 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 30,000 |
| 2014 | 207 | 25 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 27,000 |
| 2013 | 410 | 39 | 4 | 24 | 0 | 54,425 |
| 2012 | 424 | 46 | 2 | 33 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2011 | 521 | 37 | 7 | 17 | 0 | 77,000 |
| 2010 | 2,822 | 183 | 13 | 65 | 2 | 6,423 |
| 2009 | 502 | 64 | 4 | 27 | 2 | 30,000 |
| 2008 | 1,497 | 152 | 6 | 71 | 7 | 51,300 |
| 2007 | 2,003 | 124 | 9 | 70 | 1 | 50,500 |
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 recalls
- PEDAL ENTRAPMENT (2004–2009 model years; 4,445,056 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2009; 09V388000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2023–2025 model years; 1,024,407 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V744000)
- Hybrid System may Shutdown and cause Stall (2010–2014 model years; 807,329 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2018; 18V684000)
- Inverter Failure may cause Hybrid Vehicle to Stall (2010–2014 model years; 698,457 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2014; 14V053000)
- Steering Intermediate Extension Shaft may Fail (2004–2009 model years; 669,705 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2012; 12V537000)
All 35 Toyota Prius recall campaigns · Toyota Prius 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 years FAQ
Which Toyota Prius year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (6). 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 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 2010, 2007 and 2008 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 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (3,829 of 8,976 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA lists 35 recall campaigns covering the Toyota Prius. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota Prius 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.