GREEN CHOICE
2018
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
GREEN CHOICE

Toyota Prius

Unlock Ratings
The Prius's 52 mpg overall is a phenomenal achievement. It's a significant improvement over the previous generation's 44 mpg overall.  There's more going on with the fourth-generation Prius than just fuel sipping, though. It still packs the traits Prius owners have come to love, such as hatchback versatility and just enough quirks.
Alerts
There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.
GREEN CHOICE
2018
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Toyota Prius

Reliability

We expect the 2021 Prius will be much more reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2018, 2019 and 2020 models. Select the used car model year to see reported issues with those similar past models.

Overall Reliability
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
See all 2018 Potential Trouble Spots
The 2018 Toyota Prius has been recalled 1 time by NHTSA. View Recalls
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Overall Reliability Verdict
NA
NA
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Engine Major
NA
NA
Engine Minor
NA
NA
Engine Cooling
NA
NA
Transmission Major
NA
NA
Transmission Minor
NA
NA
Drive System
NA
NA
Fuel System
NA
NA
Electric System
NA
NA
Climate System
NA
NA
Suspension
NA
NA
Brakes
NA
NA
Exhaust
NA
NA
Paint/Trim
NA
NA
Body Integrity
NA
NA
Body Hardware
NA
NA
Power Equipment
NA
NA
In-car Electronics
NA
NA
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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 329,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2020 vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.

Learn more about car Reliability.

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2018 Toyota Prius owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Display screen freezes up

"Twice the 11 inch display seems to have rebooted itself while driving. No effect on driving but very unnerving at highway speed. Dealer could not find anything wrong."

Anonymous, MD (2018 Toyota Prius Four 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"Screen freezes up. Often unable to connect phone to Bluetooth."

Anonymous, CA (2018 Toyota Prius Unsure 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Display screen goes blank

"The dashboard screen is sometimes blank (black). Most times it fixes itself. I believe only once did I need to stop the engine and re-start the vehicle."

Anonymous, ME (2018 Toyota Prius Four 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"The screen went blank and then restarted as if the car had just been turned on. The diagnosis was a software issue related to having more than 2 smartphones connected via bluetooth and was resolved by the dealer."

Anonymous, NC (2018 Toyota Prius Four 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"Phones would randomly get disconnected from Bluetooth."

Anonymous, MA (2018 Toyota Prius Four 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"The bluetooth phone connection is dodgy. Speaker just stops picking up my voice."

Anonymous, (2018 Toyota Prius Four 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"this is directly related to nav system problems and system freezing. they are all tied together. sometimes, they can be resolved by a clean reboot of both phone and car. sometimes not. Toyota tech support can provide no assistance with the problem."

Anonymous, VA (2018 Toyota Prius Four 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Software update fixes

"The voice recognition software is highly unreliable and became worse after a software update that was performed by the dealer. Fundamentally, it does not work!"

Anonymous, ME (2018 Toyota Prius Four 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"both software updates and navigation map updates appear to be on a 2 year or longer referesh cycle, according to the dealership. that's ridiculous in this day and age."

Anonymous, VA (2018 Toyota Prius Four 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Steering wheel controls

"Cruise Control fails after 12 to 30 minutes after engagement."

Anonymous, NC (2018 Toyota Prius One 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
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Body Integrity

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

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"Slight intermittent vibration in the dash that was corrected by tightening a loose bolt"

Anonymous, ND (2018 Toyota Prius Unsure 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Wind noise

"Noise from right side window"

Anonymous, CA (2018 Toyota Prius 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"Prius is noisy. It's hard to hear speech or books on tape on the radio. It's road noise more than wind noise"

Anonymous, (2018 Toyota Prius Unsure 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Headlights

"the intelligent high beam became not so intelligent, it still works but did not turn off automatically when there's oncoming vehicle. it was a quick and simple fix, unstuck a piece of plastic."

Anonymous, OH (2018 Toyota Prius Four 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Tire pressure monitor

"Monitor states low tire pressure when pressure is good."

Anonymous, CA (2018 Toyota Prius Unsure 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

Paint/Trim

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

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"Low frame, bottoms out easy"

Anonymous, CA (2018 Toyota Prius 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Rust

"We live near the beach so might not be fair. Rust above the windshield. Toyota won't fix until it gets worse. Seems they would want to fix it quicker"

Anonymous, FL (2018 Toyota Prius Three 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

Suspension

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.

What Owners Say

Shocks or struts

"Took car in for routine maintenance and they said left rear shock was leaking from both ends-there was no evidence that anything untoward had happened to that area of the car"

Bruce W., NJ (2018 Toyota Prius Two 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

Engine Minor

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

Engine Major

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

Transmission Minor

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

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

Exhaust

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

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

Engine Cooling

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

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Power Equipment

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, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Compare 2018 Models

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Toyota Prius
This score shows whether the model had more or fewer problems overall than the average model of that year, calculated from the total number of problems reported by subscribers in all 17 trouble spots.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 05, 2018
An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
What should you do:
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 18V579000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 192347
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