2016 TOYOTA PRIUS

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    glass and windshield

    42 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    43
    incidents
    Typical range: 10,000–29,000 mi

    Median 18,000 mi, based on 44 reports (12% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY CRACKED AND LOOKING ON-LINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE PRIUS 4TH GENERATION VEHICLES."~5,000 mi, complaint #1328473
    • "SMALL ROCK HIT WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON I 25 INTERSTATE FROM RIO RANCHO TOWARDS SANTA FE....OVERNIGHT CRACK DEVELOPED AND SPREAD 6 INCHES OR SO...SUBSEQUENTLY CRACK QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS CENTER OF WINDSHIELD TO DRIVERS SIDE."~14,000 mi, complaint #1462619
    • "I HAVE A 2016 PRIUS WITH APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES THAT WAS PURSUED NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN NOV 2016. AT AROUND 10:30AM, I WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME, DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET (25MPH) AND DECELERATED TO APPROX 10MPH AS I APPROACHED A RED STOPLIGHT…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1572938
    • "INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). IN EARLY JUNE I WALKED OUT FROM A BOOKSTORE IN OCEANSIDE, CA TO FIND MY WINDSHIELD, ON MY PARKED/STATIONARY PRIUS, HAD ABOUT AN 8 TO 10 INCH CRACK ON THE PASSENGER S…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1390875
    • "SMALL ROCK CHIP CAUSED WINDSHIELD TO CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. I'VE BEEN DRIVING SINCE I WAS 17 AND NEVER HAVE HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM A SMALL ROCK CHIP, EVEN THE SHOP SAID HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF THIS GENERATION PRIUS COMING IN…"~64,000 mi, complaint #1479129
  2. #2

    other

    1 unsafe, 9 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "WE HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE IN OUR NEW CAR. THE DEVICE TO REPAIR THE TIRE DIDN'T WORK AS THE TIRE WAS RIPPED. WE HAD TO WAIT 2 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK, WITH HUGE TRUCKS PASSING US AT 80 MPH, VERY CLOSE. W…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1309514
    • "NHTSA RECALL NO.16V672 AND 16V741 WERE NOT COMPLETED. CALLED THE AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER, STEVENS CREEK TOYOTA, [REDACTED ADDRESS], SAN JOSE, CA 95129, ON 01/20/2017 FOR REMEDY TO BE PERFORMED. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL CALL ME BACK WHEN TEH PARTS ARE AVAILAB…"~8,400 mi, complaint #1368233
  3. #3

    engine cooling

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 66 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND…"~223,601 mi, complaint #1569075
  4. #4

    hv system fault reduced power

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "AS I LEFT WORK MY INDICATOR SHOWED A FULL BATTERY ALL BARS IN BLUE. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE COAST I NOTICED THE BATTERY STARTED TO QUICKLY DEPLETE, IN APPROX 8.6 MILES MY INDICATOR SHOWED 1 BLUE BAR. AT THAT TIME I WAS MAKING A LEFT ONTO THE CANYON ROAD. I T…"~27,108 mi, complaint #1331152
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel stopped operating and the vehicle began to shut down. The contact stated that a yellow blinking light and a hybrid system malfunction warning lig…"~159,141 mi, complaint #1982134
  5. #5

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO HAMER TOYOTA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], MISSION HILLS, CA 91345), BUT THEY COULD NOT DETECT ANY FAILURES. THREE MONT…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1467794
    • "CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PETAL WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ONLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. WHILE PULLING UP TO A RED LIGHT I SLOWED THE CAR TO A STOP. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, CAR MOTI…"~40,100 mi, complaint #1685829
    • "2016 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS ISSUES ACCELERATING WHEN PUT IN DRIVE AND FOOT IS ON THE GAS PETAL. CAR ENGINE WILL REV BUT DOES NOT ACCELERATE. I REVERSED, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND WENT ABOUT A TENTH OF A MILE AND STOPPED TO WAIT FOR THE GATE TO OPEN. UPON GATE OPENING…"~41,020 mi, complaint #1685822
    • "SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS HOT MY PRIUS DOES NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED FOR 1 OR MORE SECONDS; THIS MAKES IT A DEATH-TRAP ON LEFT TURNS. TOYOTA DEALERS HAVE SERVICED IT 3 TIMES FOR THIS COMPLAINT WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR"~81,000 mi, complaint #1672118
    • "I WAS DRIVING UPHILL THEN I HAD TO MADE MAKE A STOP SIGN, CAR WOULDN'T MOVE WHEN ACCELERATING, KEPT PRESSING GAS AND STILL NOT MOVING (IT WAS ON DRIVE MODE) DECIDED TO GET OUT AND LOOK AROUND THE CAR. I HEARD UP NORMAL NOISE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I TURNED…"~91,000 mi, complaint #1692801
  6. #6

    brake hydraulics

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "AS I TOOK A HIGHWAY EXIT, FOLLOWING BEHIND OTHER CARS DOING THE SAME, MY PRIUS REFUSED TO BRAKE EFFICIENTLY WHEN ANOTHER CAR ABRUPTLY INVADED OUR LINE. IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES MADE A SLIGHT RELEASE OR COULDN'T REACH A FULL STOP. I HAD ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP, AN…"~500 mi, complaint #1325097
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE FROM UNDERNEATH FIERCELY, I CALLED MY MOTHER WHO CAME AND PICKED UP THE CAR SHE TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO MY RESIDENCE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN THE GARAGE THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE BR…"~3,510 mi, complaint #1355299
    • "ON MANY OCCASIONS WHEN I WOULD STEP ON MY BRAKE, MY CAR WOULD JERK AND THRUST FORWARD AGGRESSIVELY. I'D HAVE TO STEP HARD ON MY BRAKE SO THE CAR WOULD NOT CATAPULT PAST A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS STRONGER THAN THE BRAKE AND OUT OF CONTROL.…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1497134
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS REVERSING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP T…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1487779
  7. #7

    tire failure

    2 stranded, 4 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "WE HAD AN UNEXPLAINED BLOWOUT IN A TIRE WITH LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON IT ON OUR PRIUS IV 2016 PURCHASED IN MAY. WE SAW NOTHING IN THE ROADWAY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. THE TIRE WAS RIPPED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS BRAND, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE SO WAS THIS…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1310079
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA BLUEARTH S34 TIRES, SIZE: P215/45R/17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BECAME UNSTABLE AND A THUMPING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR END. AFTER STOPPING THE V…"~15,900 mi, complaint #1427245
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Mastercraft, Tire Size: 195/65/15, DOT Number: (Not Available). The contacted stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to violently shake and vibrated. After s…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1884911
    • "I HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE DRIVER REAR TIRE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRES WERE TOYO NANOENERGY A29."~30,000 mi, complaint #1475058
    • "WE PURCHASED A NEW 2016 PRIUS FROM LONGO TOYOTA IN MARCH 2016. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL MARCH 2018 WHEN WE HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE NEXT MORNING A TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT WHEN IT WAS PERFECTLY FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE OE TIRES ARE TOYO NANOE…"~30,508 mi, complaint #1461779
  8. #8

    airbag system

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "UPON START UP THIS TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLE EMITS FOUL SMELLING CHEMICAL AIR INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS UNKNOWN HOW TOXIC THESE SMELLS ARE BUT AGGRAVATE RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS AND ASTHMATIC CONDITIONS. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY HAVE A SERVICE BULLE…"~500 mi, complaint #1429731
    • "WE WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70MILES AN HOUR ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, I WAS THE PASSENGER. WE BOTH WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS. MY HUSBAND SUFFERED SOME SORT OF MEDICAL INCIDENT CAUSING HIM TO LO…"~4,100 mi, complaint #1322377
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED A SECOND VEHICLE SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PUSHING IT INTO THE REAR END OF A THIRD VEHICLE POSITIONED AHEAD. DURING THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1715820
  9. #9

    instrument cluster

    2 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE DID NOT ALLOW THE ABILITY TO SWITCH FROM MILES PER HOUR TO KILOMETERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO N MANUFACTURER…"~1,500 mi, complaint #1343133
    • "THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REPORT SPEED IN KPH, ONLY IN MPH. THIS MEANS THAT EVERY TIME I CROSS INTO CANADA WITH THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE DIFFICULTY DISCERNING WHETHER I AM FOLLOWING ALL VEHICLE SAFETY AND TRAFFIC LAWS OR MAINTAINING A SAFE SPEED. TO REPEAT, WHILE E…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1378754
    • "WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE ELECTRONIC DASHBOARD WAS BLACK WITH NO INFO ON SPEED. WE DROVE IT 70 MILES HOME GUESSING AT THE SPEED. WE TURNED IF OFF AND RESTARTED IT WITH THE SAME RESULT. THEN WE GOT HOME, TURNED IT OFF, RESTARTED IT AND THE DASHBOARD WAS BACK,…"~40,700 mi, complaint #1577160
  10. #10

    abs module

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "WHEN GENTLY APPLYING BRAKES FOR A STOP LIGHT, AND THE RIGHT WHEEL HITS A 1 AND 1/8 INCH DEEP DEPRESSION IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY MOMENTARILY RELEASE. THE DEPRESSION IS FOR A 9 INCH DIAMETER CITY WATER COVER, AND THE OVERALL DIAMETER OF THE DEPRES…"~500 mi, complaint #1294253
    • "ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016 WHILE DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SLOWED BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE SUDDENLY DEPRESSED EVEN FURTHER DOWN AND THE CAR JERKED AND SEEMED TO STALL BEFORE PUSHING FORWARD. I HAD BEEN PRESSING THE BRAKE AS…"~1,500 mi, complaint #1334063
    • "WHEN BREAKING WHILE TRAVELING OVER BUMPS/RIPPLES ON THE ROAD OR OVER ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS SUCH AS POTHOLES OR ROADWORK, THE VEHICLE FEELS AS THOUGH THE BREAKS ARE SKIPPING OR FAILING. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER THE SAME OR SIMILAR CONDITIONS. THER…"~5,986 mi, complaint #1406677
    • "FEBRUARY 7, 2018 !01 FRWY NORTH APPROACHING SANTA ROSA/ PLEASANT VALLEY OFF RAMP ON THE DOWNGRADE OUT OF NEWBURY PARK AT [REDACTED ADDRESS]. A.BRAKE LIGHTS ARE SEEN IN CAR AHEAD. B.THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS UP RED WITH THE WORD BRAKE IN RED C.A LOUD PULSATI…"~19,700 mi, complaint #1447932
  11. #11

    adas collision warning

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "OVER THE PAST YEAR AND OVER 15,000 MILES OUR 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS FOUR TOURING HAS EXPERIENCED SUDDEN DISPLAYS OF WARNING MESSAGES AND LIGHTS REPORTING BRAKING POWER LOW - VISIT YOUR DEALER; BRAKING POWER LOW - STOP IN A SAFE PLACE - SEE OWNER'S MANUAL; PRE-COLLI…"~31,000 mi, complaint #1447777
    • "THIS ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY. WHEN POWERING THE CAR ON, AND WHILE THE CAR IS DOING ITS ROUTINE DASHBOARD LIGHT-UPS AND THE DINGING SOUNDS, SOMETIMES THE FORWARD SONARS WOULD BEEP AND DETECT THE OBJECT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE FORWARD WARNING INDICATOR SHOWS UP…"~31,200 mi, complaint #1742510
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GATES TOYOTA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], SOUTH BEND, IN 4661…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1631803
  12. #12

    unintended acceleration

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION INCIDENT. I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE. AS I STRAIGHTENED IT OUT TO COMPLETE THE MANEUVER, THE CAR TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN AND HIT THE WALL OF THE PARKING GARAGE THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. A SI…"~14,500 mi, complaint #1703795
    • "CAR ACCELERATING WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP WHEN APPLYING BRAKE, CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND TOOK OFF WITH ENGINE RACING IN HOME DRIVEWAY."~42,372 mi, complaint #1695889
    • "I'VE NOTICED A FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING THAT MY PRIUS STARTED ACCELERATING WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF THE PEDAL. IT HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING TOO SCARY YET BUT IT IS DISCONCERTING. I NOTICED OTHERS HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AND WANTED TO ADD THAT I SEEM T…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1708504
  13. #13

    infotainment head unit

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE CENTER DISPLAY HAS A MIRROR HIGH GLOSS/GLARE FINISH. BECAUSE OF THIS MIRROR FINISH, WHEN THE SUN IS AT AN ANGLE COMING THROUGH EITHER THE SIDE OR BACK WINDOWS, THE SUN IS REFLECTED BACK INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CAR TO REPLA…"complaint #1284257
    • "I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY 3RD TOYOTA IN AUGUST (2016 PRIUS). I UPGRADED MY 2011 PRIUS BECAUSE I REALLY NEEDED BUILT IN NAVIGATION DUE THE NATURE OF MY JOB AND MY COMMUTE. I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM, WHICH IS VERY FRUSTRAT…"complaint #1340575
    • "THE GPS SYSTEM REPORTS INACCURATE SYSTEM LOCATION. I LIVE IN HENDERSON, NV, BUT IT SHOWS THE LOCATION AS BOULDER CITY, NV. THIS IS AN 11 MILE DIFFERENCE. I HAVE TOYOTA'S SOS FEATURE (LIKE ONSTAR), SO IF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED, THEY WOULD NOT COME TO TH…"complaint #1700964
  14. #14

    interior trim

    3 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S HEAD REST POSITIONING IN THE VEHICLE WAS TOO FORWARD MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME WITHOUT SEVERE DISCOMFORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR R…"complaint #1259193
    • "THERE IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE HEAD RESTS ON THIS VEHICLE. THE DEFAULT SETTING IS MUCH TOO FAR FORWARD, CAUSING A FORWARD HEAD AND NECK POSTURE, RESULTING IN HEADACHES, NECK PAIN, ETC., AND MAKE IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE, AND DIFFICULT TO CHECK BLIND…"complaint #1281968
    • "I bought my 2016 Prius brand new in November of 2016. Over the past 2 years or so my OEM leather like steering wheel wrap started to wrinkle. it is now cracking and starting to peel. it hasn't caused any stealing control issues, it is just ugly an slight dist…"complaint #1771800
  15. #15

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CONDENSATION BUILDING UP IN PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE CAR HAS ONLY 31,200 MILES. NOT CRACKS VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE ON HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. CONDENSATION DISTORTS THE LIGHT BEAM AND DIMMING THE LIGHT INTENSITY."~31,200 mi, complaint #1742508
  16. #16

    suspension struts shocks

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "UNDER T-SB-0144-16. ALOT OF 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING A CLICK NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. I CONFIRMED THROUGH PRIUS CHAT UNDER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 0144-16 THAT CLICKING NOISE IS FROM THE SUPPORT NUTS ON THE REAR SHOCKS. I…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1407739
  17. #17

    wiring harness

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "RODENT DAMAGED WIRING AND CASINGS BY EATING/DAMAGING BOTH AT A COST SO FAR OF $2700. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE WARRANTY DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DAMAGE. I ASKED ABOUT WHERE THE DEALERSHIP STORED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO ITS DELIVERY…"complaint #1300622
    • "THE COATING ON THE WIRING SYSTEM ATTRACTED RODENTS TO MY CAR, THE RODENTS ATE THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL AND TRIED TO NEST IN THE ENGINE BAY. THE RESULTS WERE MASSIVE SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS AND THE CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO TOYOTA AND THEY S…"complaint #1327259
    • "RODENTS WERE ATTRACTED TO THE SOY-BASED WIRING USED BY TOYOTA AND CAUSED EXPENSIVE DAMAGE BY CHEWING WIRES. TOYOTA HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS WIRING AND RODENT DAMAGE FOR 4 YEARS AND I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR MY DA…"complaint #1375456
  18. #18

    brake booster

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while the vehicle was on and running, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated, and the messages "Braking Power Low - Stop in a Safe Place”, “See Owner's Manual", "Braking Power Low -…"~100,028 mi, complaint #2220841
  19. #19

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "LEFT CV AXLE JOINT DISCONNECTED.THIS HAPPEN IN CITY WHEN IN MOTION."~24,000 mi, complaint #1679449
  20. #20

    fuel tank and lines

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEMPE TOYOTA (7970 S. AUTOPLEX LOOP, TEMPE, AZ 83326, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1581169
  21. #21

    paint and clearcoat

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Starting in about 2019, the exterior black panel behind the rear right mirror began peeling. Soon, the blue exterior paint on the car began to show damaged spots, lining up with the parts of the car most exposed to the sun: the roof most of all, but the top pa…"complaint #1988074
    • "Paint is starting to peel around trunk, clear coat has peeled off of black triangle areas by rear passenger windows on both sides of vehicle. Other 2016 Prius have had a paint recall. My vehicle needs to be included in the recall."complaint #1997132
  22. #22

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY 2016 PRIUS FOUR TOURING WITH 25,202 MILES IS CHEWING UP ITS TIRES. SPECIFICALLY, IT IS CHEWING THEM UP ON THE "INSIDE" OF THE REAR TIRES (THAT IS, THE TREAD OF THE REAR TIRES CLOSEST TO THE CENTER OF THE CAR IS BEING WORN OFF FASTER THAN THE TREAD ON THE "…"~25,202 mi, complaint #1652676
  23. #23

    battery and charging

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE BATTERY BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 01/26/2017*CT…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1341405
  24. #24

    climate control module

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE CAR'S AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CONTINUALLY SETS ITSELF TO THE AUTO POSITION AND DISABLES ITSELF WHERE NOTHING YOU DO CAN ACTIVATE THE FAN THE AIR CONDITIONING THE HEAT ANYTING, GOING THROUGH ALL THE MENUS RESETTING EVERYTHING TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON 50 T…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1553299
  25. #25

    emissions aftertreatment

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Refer to TSB 0135-19 dealer denied repairing under the California emissions defect and performance warranty."complaint #2059468
  26. #26

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "We were driving kids to camp and the thermometer light went on. It was blinking for a while, then turned off and then turned steadily on. We weren't sure what to do, so we called our trusty mechanic who said "bring it in right now." We did and it turned out th…"complaint #1900726
  27. #27

    engine internal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Water pump failed without warning and caused irreparable damage to the engine ("blown" engine requiring replacement). Vehicle began to stall and not respond to attempted acceleration while traveling on [REDACTED ADDRESS], 55 mph speed limit. One "Maintenance…"complaint #2073814
  28. #28

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE CAR STARTED TO BURN LOT OF OIL. LIKE 1 QUART FOR EVERY 1000 TO 1200 MILES. WHEN I GOOGLED, I SAW I WAS ONE IN A MILLION AS ALREADY PRIUS OWNERS WERE SHOUTING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ONLINE. WHEN I CALLED AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO AUTONATION DEALER IN TEMPE,…"complaint #1317150
  29. #29

    ev drive unit or inverter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE AND STATIONARY ON A HILL FACING UP WARDS (LIKE IN A DRIVEWAY) THE CAR STILL SENDS ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AND TO THE WHEELS EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN FACING UP A HILL. ALL ELECTRICAL POWER…"~17,200 mi, complaint #1477809
  30. #30

    mirror

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, REAR VIEW INTERIOR MIRROR DOES NOT DIM AS TRAFFIC APPROACHES FROM REAR. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER, TECHNICIAN SHINED LIGHT FROM IPHONE ONTO MIRROR AND IT DIMMED PROPERLY. HOWEVER, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IT DOES NOT! ON A RECENT [RED…"~6,300 mi, complaint #1336647
  31. #31

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2016 TOYOTA PRIUS VIN#[XXX] I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JULY, 2017 AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT, REAR AND FRONT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES AND THE TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP CAN F…"complaint #1505193
  32. #32

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN ENGAGING THE FOOT PARKING BRAKE ON A SLOPE, SUCH AS MY DRIVEWAY, AND THEN TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE CAR ROLLS BACK SIGNIFICANTLY. THEN, WHILE EXITING THE CAR, THE REAR BRAKES MAKE LOUD GRINDING AND CREAKY NOISES AS THE CAR…"~31,000 mi, complaint #1742509
  33. #33

    phone connectivity

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "BLUE TOOTH CONNECTION VIA PHONE WILL BE DROPPED AFTER 7-10 SECONDS POST CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE. AUDIO PLAYER CAN BE CONNECTED SEPARATELY BUT ONCE THE PHONE CONNECTS THE DISPLAY CONSOLE RESETS AS IF THE CAR WAS JUST BEING STARTED. CAR CAN BE STATIONARY NOT M…"~97,300 mi, complaint #1715736
  34. #34

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Our car has approximately 65K miles on it. THREE of the door lock actuators have failed already. This is terrifying that we might not be able to lock or unlock doors in an emergency particularly with our kids in the back seat. We have had our Prius serviced r…"complaint #1803358
  35. #35

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while switching lanes, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle driving at 30 MPH. The contact's front driver's side seat backrest inadvertently moved backward, which caused her shins to hit t…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1781917
  36. #36

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "SEATBELT ON DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT, GETS CAUGHT IN DOOR WHEN EXITING THE CAR. DEALER WON'T FIX IT. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT THE DRIVER WHEN EXITING HAS TO STOP DEAL WITH EXTENDED SEAT BELT CAUGHT IN DOOR, COULD BE HIT BY ANOTHER CAR IN A PARKING LOT…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1520847
  37. #37

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I PURCHASED A NEW 2016 PRIUS FOUR ON FEBRUARY 16, 2016. THE LITERATURE ON THE TOYOTA FACTORY WEBSITE SAYS MY PRIUS IS EQUIPPED TO SWITCH FROM ENGLISH TO METRIC UNITS. UNFORTUNATELY, TOYOTA FAILED TO DISCLOSE THAT ANY PRIUS MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY…"complaint #1343456
  38. #38

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I reported issues with this car in 2018. Clicking sounds under the car which is still happening, peeling paint on exterior and inside door areas, substandard windshield that spread in a very unusual pattern when hit by a small rock. The NHTSA ID Number that…"complaint #1913932
  39. #39

    sunroof

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "ON 1/23/[REDACTED ADDRESS] I60 IN AZ AROUND 9 AM THE SUNROOF OF THE CAR EXPLOITED. NO OBJECT WAS NOTICED TO HIT THE CAR OR SUNROOF. IT'S UNKNOWN THE REASON LEADING TO THE EXPLOSION."complaint #1640340
  40. #40

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE PLASTIC RIDGE ON THE CENTER CONSOLE CAUGHT THE DRIVER'S SHOE AND CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK TO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED…"~7,700 mi, complaint #1382485
  41. #41

    tpms

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "IF THE TIRE PRESSURE IS DECREASED BY THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND STAY ON. IF THE TEMPERATURE IS COOL THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND STAY ON. I'VE BROUGHT IT BACK TO SERVICE 4 TIMES DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER OF 2016. THEIR SCAN SHOWS NO FAULT. I…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1347329
  42. #42

    wheel or rim

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 14 AT APPROXIMATELY 1100 AM, MY SON'S VEHICLE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OFF. HE SUMMONED ASSISTANCE TO AAA WHO CAME AND PUT THE SPARE TIRE IN, HE SUBSEQUENTLY DROVE THE CAR TO SIERRA TOYOTA IN LANCASTER CA AND CHANIN YESCAS SERVICE DEPT MG…"~3,875 mi, complaint #1357111
  43. #43

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD TRAPPED RAIN WATER, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…"~2,800 mi, complaint #1344886

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TOYOTA PRIUS directly.