Toyota Prius Reliability
15,462 NHTSA complaints (2000–2026). Complaint rate: 219.3 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2004–2013 Toyota Prius (1,227 crash-related complaints). The 2017–2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Toyota Prius Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3,217 | 0.6% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1,961 | 10.4% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1,466 | 3.2% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1,389 | 10.6% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 987 | 26.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC | 817 | 8.1% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 551 | 7.3% |
| ENGINE | 472 | 4.0% |
| AIR BAGS | 384 | 62.0% |
| STEERING | 322 | 10.2% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | — | View → |
| 2001 | — | 215 | 23 | 3 | View → |
| 2002 | — | 201 | 16 | 5 | View → |
| 2003GOOD | — | 123 | 5 | — | View → |
| 2004AVOID | — | 737 | 50 | 2 | View → |
| 2005AVOID | — | 1,298 | 133 | 5 | View → |
| 2006AVOID | — | 1,689 | 109 | 7 | View → |
| 2007AVOID | — | 2,451 | 191 | 11 | View → |
| 2008AVOID | — | 1,892 | 214 | 10 | View → |
| 2009AVOID | — | 638 | 90 | 7 | View → |
| 2010AVOID | — | 3,478 | 255 | 22 | View → |
| 2011AVOID | — | 651 | 56 | 10 | View → |
| 2012AVOID | — | 532 | 75 | 3 | View → |
| 2013AVOID | — | 519 | 54 | 7 | View → |
| 2014 | — | 267 | 45 | 2 | View → |
| 2015 | — | 195 | 50 | 1 | View → |
| 2016 | — | 211 | 10 | — | View → |
| 2017GOOD | — | 125 | 20 | 6 | View → |
| 2018GOOD | — | 44 | 8 | — | View → |
| 2019GOOD | — | 51 | 16 | — | View → |
| 2020GOOD | — | 23 | 13 | — | View → |
| 2021GOOD | — | 11 | 3 | — | View → |
| 2022GOOD | — | 27 | 5 | — | View → |
| 2023GOOD | — | 22 | 2 | — | View → |
| 2024TOO NEW | — | 29 | 10 | — | View → |
| 2025TOO NEW | — | 26 | 3 | — | View → |
| 2026TOO NEW | — | 3 | 0 | — | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Toyota Priusaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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