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Toyota Prius Prime

EPA Range: 25 miles
EPA MPG: 54 mpg

Reliability

Overall Reliability

The 2021 Prius Prime has about average reliability compared to other cars from the same model year.

Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2021 Toyota Prius Prime owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

What Owners Say

Apple CarPlay

"Does not connect (intermittent) for some reason it is sometimes location dependent. Went to dealer they were not helpful"

Anonymous, CA (2021 Toyota Prius Prime LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

"Car Play often does not connect to my phone using the bluetooth cord. Its hit or miss"

Anonymous, MD (2021 Toyota Prius Prime LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"Bluetooth pairing takes numerous tries to connect. Take a lot of time. Not a seamless process"

Anonymous, MD (2021 Toyota Prius Prime LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

""Voice recognition is very disappointing. It quite often doesnt recognize my voice, although my American English elocution is excellent!""

Anonymous A., NY (2021 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

"Wont pair or fails after pairing"

Anonymous, CA (2021 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

"Have difficulty in getting GPS to work sometimes"

Anonymous, 99 (2021 Toyota Prius Prime Unsure 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Voice control commands

"Voice recognition is awful. Built in GPS is very poor quality."

Anonymous A., NY (2021 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

What Owners Say

Premature brake wear

"All four brakes showed corrosion that was extreme enough to require replacement. I was told that this occurred because I do not apply the brakes vigorously enough... This was not a problem with three VW Rabbits or a Saturn wagon."

Anonymous, NB (2021 Toyota Prius Prime LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

"When the dealer performed the annual inspection, I was told that the rotors suffered delamination and I needed to have the pads and rotors replaced"

Anonymous A., NY (2021 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Rotors

"brake drums warped"

Anonymous, MA (2021 Toyota Prius Prime LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"Serious rodent damage that took 2 months to repair and cost $12,000! Toyota should pay!"

Anonymous, (2021 Toyota Prius Prime XLE 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

"Dead battery"

Anonymous, NY (2021 Toyota Prius Prime XLE 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

What Owners Say

Blower (fan) motor

""It is not very common but has happened to a few Prius Prime owners where the a/c just blows hot air, no matter what the setting. It is the Servo or Sirvo motor 2. It is difficult to reach, so the dealership has to remove the whole dash to repair it. One dealership quoted me $6,700. Im going to get two other quotes. Its made me consider selling the car or trading it in.""

Anonymous, CA (2021 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Noises/Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Other noises & leaks problem

""The road noise is uncomfortable - it defeats the quality of the sound system. The car is poorly noise-insulated and changing tires (OEM then Michelin Defender, finally Michelin Ice-X winter tires) did not make any difference. Cold weather is also felt inside the car despite running the HVAC system on "auto" control. I have to use hearing protection for traveling long distances. Listening to music is impractical over 50 Mph.""

Anonymous A., ME (2021 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

12V battery

"I had to replace my 12V battery 7 years earlier than my prior Prius. I dont let it run excessively long when I am in my car just listening to my radio. It was just weird to have to replace it so soon."

Anonymous, CA (2021 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

EV Charging

Won't charge at home; won't work with some public chargers; won't fully charge; charge connection; charge port door.

What Owners Say

Won't fully charge

""Reserve capacity of the hybrid battery which is supposed to last 810 years has already decreased by 1520% in 3 years! Toyota dealership said it is "normal" wear!!! A new power battery is (back-ordered) and over $5,000 plus labor!""

Anonymous A., ME (2021 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 1.8-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

Suspension/Steering

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

EV Battery

Electric/hybrid battery pack failure, replacement or malfunction, or cooling.

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

2021 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car
vs. Similar Cars

Toyota vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

Reliability History
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Overall Reliability Verdict
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
Electric Motor
EV Battery
EV Charging
Engine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Engine Electrical
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System/Emissions
Exhaust
Suspension/Steering
Brakes
Climate System
Build Quality
Electrical Accessories
Body Hardware
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
In-car Electronics
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes, to power equipment and the electrical accessories.
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