Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime with NHTSA between 2021 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 42
Against the median year of the Toyota Prius Prime. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
63.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 97
57% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2021 compares with every other Toyota Prius Prime
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2021 Toyota Prius Prime
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
421.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 177,000 mi
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
315.8%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 27,696 mi
Brakes
315.8%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 34,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
210.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
210.5%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.3%
Median failure at 518 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.3%
Median failure at 34,000 miles
Airbags
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
114.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
342.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
228.6%
150,000+ miles
114.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2021peak 3Mar 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Baldwinsville, NYCrash2 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was slowly entering a handicapped parking place right in front of a business. The distance from the front of the parking space to the building wall was about 15 feet, one car length. I approached the place to stop in the parking spot when in a split second the car violently surged forward and would have crashed into the cinderblock wall had there not been a supporting post on the building and a metal frame with equipment which stopped the forward movement. The surge was explosive, almost like the acceleration of an airplane taking off. The whole incident took a second or two. There was no opportunity for any driver response to the surge. Had we not been using seatbelts, the front seat passenger & myself would have gone into the windshield and perhaps been killed or very seriously injured. Had I not been driving toward the building when the violent episode occurred, I likely would have hit someone in the parking area and killed or seriously injured people or crashed into park cars. Our injuries were relatively minor due to the seatbelts. The passenger will need therapy on her neck and back. A week later we are still emotionally stressed. There were no indications there was anything wrong with the car prior to this incident. It had only 27,000 miles with new tires and no apparent service issues. This hybrid car, which goes about 22 miles on a charge, was about at the point when it would have transitioned from electric to use of the gasoline engine. The badly damaged car was towed to a lot and later picked up and taken to the insurance facility for evaluation. I have not yet heard back. A NYS trooper investigated. He told me twice to have the Insurance Company look at possible vehicle defects when they examined the vehicle for insurance purposes. I passed on that information, but it appears the insurance company only evaluates the car for damaged. I have not yet gotten a report back yet, but it appears the car is totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11696251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwinsville, NYCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I was slowly entering a handicapped parking place right in front of a business. The distance from the front of the parking space to the building wall was about 15 feet, one car length. I approached the place to stop in the parking spot when in a split second the car violently surged forward and would have crashed into the cinderblock wall had there not been a supporting post on the building and a metal frame with equipment which stopped the forward movement. The surge was explosive, almost like the acceleration of an airplane taking off. The whole incident took a second or two. There was no opportunity for any driver response to the surge. Had we not been using seatbelts, the front seat passenger & myself would have gone into the windshield and perhaps been killed or very seriously injured. Had I not been driving toward the building when the violent episode occurred, I likely would have hit someone in the parking area and killed or seriously injured people or crashed into park cars. Our injuries were relatively minor due to the seatbelts. The passenger will need therapy on her neck and back. A week later we are still emotionally stressed. There were no indications there was anything wrong with the car prior to this incident. It had only 27,000 miles with new tires and no apparent service issues. This hybrid car, which goes about 22 miles on a charge, was about at the point when it would have transitioned from electric to use of the gasoline engine. The badly damaged car was towed to a lot and later picked up and taken to the insurance facility for evaluation. I have not yet heard back. A NYS trooper investigated. He told me twice to have the Insurance Company look at possible vehicle defects when they examined the vehicle for insurance purposes. I passed on that information, but it appears the insurance company only evaluates the car for damaged. I have not yet gotten a report back yet, but it appears the car is totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11696251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwinsville, NYCrash2 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was slowly entering a handicapped parking place right in front of a business. The distance from the front of the parking space to the building wall was about 15 feet, one car length. I approached the place to stop in the parking spot when in a split second the car violently surged forward and would have crashed into the cinderblock wall had there not been a supporting post on the building and a metal frame with equipment which stopped the forward movement. The surge was explosive, almost like the acceleration of an airplane taking off. The whole incident took a second or two. There was no opportunity for any driver response to the surge. Had we not been using seatbelts, the front seat passenger & myself would have gone into the windshield and perhaps been killed or very seriously injured. Had I not been driving toward the building when the violent episode occurred, I likely would have hit someone in the parking area and killed or seriously injured people or crashed into park cars. Our injuries were relatively minor due to the seatbelts. The passenger will need therapy on her neck and back. A week later we are still emotionally stressed. There were no indications there was anything wrong with the car prior to this incident. It had only 27,000 miles with new tires and no apparent service issues. This hybrid car, which goes about 22 miles on a charge, was about at the point when it would have transitioned from electric to use of the gasoline engine. The badly damaged car was towed to a lot and later picked up and taken to the insurance facility for evaluation. I have not yet heard back. A NYS trooper investigated. He told me twice to have the Insurance Company look at possible vehicle defects when they examined the vehicle for insurance purposes. I passed on that information, but it appears the insurance company only evaluates the car for damaged. I have not yet gotten a report back yet, but it appears the car is totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11696251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, MDCrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My vehicle is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and a Pre-Collision System. Today, while driving with DRCC engaged, my vehicle followed a leading car and appropriately slowed down to 2 mph as we approached a signalized intersection. However, when the leading vehicle changed lanes, a gap was created between me and a new lead vehicle, which was fully stopped. Despite this, the DRCC system accelerated to 5mph and collided with the stopped vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11620914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, MDCrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My vehicle is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and a Pre-Collision System. Today, while driving with DRCC engaged, my vehicle followed a leading car and appropriately slowed down to 2 mph as we approached a signalized intersection. However, when the leading vehicle changed lanes, a gap was created between me and a new lead vehicle, which was fully stopped. Despite this, the DRCC system accelerated to 5mph and collided with the stopped vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11620914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CACrash
AIR BAGS
Brakes of my Toyota Pirius Prime did not work after I was hit on my right side. Brakes completlety was out. Also I was not able to run the car. The cars brakes should work even I got an accident to precent some further damage to other cars.
NHTSA complaint #11492523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 73,000. It was later discovered upon checking the vehicle history report with a Local dealer, the contact was informed that the mileage was 274,000.
NHTSA complaint #11723068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwinsville, NYCrash2 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was slowly entering a handicapped parking place right in front of a business. The distance from the front of the parking space to the building wall was about 15 feet, one car length. I approached the place to stop in the parking spot when in a split second the car violently surged forward and would have crashed into the cinderblock wall had there not been a supporting post on the building and a metal frame with equipment which stopped the forward movement. The surge was explosive, almost like the acceleration of an airplane taking off. The whole incident took a second or two. There was no opportunity for any driver response to the surge. Had we not been using seatbelts, the front seat passenger & myself would have gone into the windshield and perhaps been killed or very seriously injured. Had I not been driving toward the building when the violent episode occurred, I likely would have hit someone in the parking area and killed or seriously injured people or crashed into park cars. Our injuries were relatively minor due to the seatbelts. The passenger will need therapy on her neck and back. A week later we are still emotionally stressed. There were no indications there was anything wrong with the car prior to this incident. It had only 27,000 miles with new tires and no apparent service issues. This hybrid car, which goes about 22 miles on a charge, was about at the point when it would have transitioned from electric to use of the gasoline engine. The badly damaged car was towed to a lot and later picked up and taken to the insurance facility for evaluation. I have not yet heard back. A NYS trooper investigated. He told me twice to have the Insurance Company look at possible vehicle defects when they examined the vehicle for insurance purposes. I passed on that information, but it appears the insurance company only evaluates the car for damaged. I have not yet gotten a report back yet, but it appears the car is totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11696251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwinsville, NYCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I was slowly entering a handicapped parking place right in front of a business. The distance from the front of the parking space to the building wall was about 15 feet, one car length. I approached the place to stop in the parking spot when in a split second the car violently surged forward and would have crashed into the cinderblock wall had there not been a supporting post on the building and a metal frame with equipment which stopped the forward movement. The surge was explosive, almost like the acceleration of an airplane taking off. The whole incident took a second or two. There was no opportunity for any driver response to the surge. Had we not been using seatbelts, the front seat passenger & myself would have gone into the windshield and perhaps been killed or very seriously injured. Had I not been driving toward the building when the violent episode occurred, I likely would have hit someone in the parking area and killed or seriously injured people or crashed into park cars. Our injuries were relatively minor due to the seatbelts. The passenger will need therapy on her neck and back. A week later we are still emotionally stressed. There were no indications there was anything wrong with the car prior to this incident. It had only 27,000 miles with new tires and no apparent service issues. This hybrid car, which goes about 22 miles on a charge, was about at the point when it would have transitioned from electric to use of the gasoline engine. The badly damaged car was towed to a lot and later picked up and taken to the insurance facility for evaluation. I have not yet heard back. A NYS trooper investigated. He told me twice to have the Insurance Company look at possible vehicle defects when they examined the vehicle for insurance purposes. I passed on that information, but it appears the insurance company only evaluates the car for damaged. I have not yet gotten a report back yet, but it appears the car is totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11696251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwinsville, NYCrash2 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was slowly entering a handicapped parking place right in front of a business. The distance from the front of the parking space to the building wall was about 15 feet, one car length. I approached the place to stop in the parking spot when in a split second the car violently surged forward and would have crashed into the cinderblock wall had there not been a supporting post on the building and a metal frame with equipment which stopped the forward movement. The surge was explosive, almost like the acceleration of an airplane taking off. The whole incident took a second or two. There was no opportunity for any driver response to the surge. Had we not been using seatbelts, the front seat passenger & myself would have gone into the windshield and perhaps been killed or very seriously injured. Had I not been driving toward the building when the violent episode occurred, I likely would have hit someone in the parking area and killed or seriously injured people or crashed into park cars. Our injuries were relatively minor due to the seatbelts. The passenger will need therapy on her neck and back. A week later we are still emotionally stressed. There were no indications there was anything wrong with the car prior to this incident. It had only 27,000 miles with new tires and no apparent service issues. This hybrid car, which goes about 22 miles on a charge, was about at the point when it would have transitioned from electric to use of the gasoline engine. The badly damaged car was towed to a lot and later picked up and taken to the insurance facility for evaluation. I have not yet heard back. A NYS trooper investigated. He told me twice to have the Insurance Company look at possible vehicle defects when they examined the vehicle for insurance purposes. I passed on that information, but it appears the insurance company only evaluates the car for damaged. I have not yet gotten a report back yet, but it appears the car is totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11696251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,696 milesSchaumburg, IL
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rearview camera intermittently went black. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rearview camera intermittently went black. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,696.
NHTSA complaint #11688961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Thomaston, ME
POWER TRAIN
Rodents accessed and damaged the car because there essentials components are not protected.
NHTSA complaint #11651621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Thomaston, ME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Rodents accessed and damaged the car because there essentials components are not protected.
NHTSA complaint #11651621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Thomaston, ME
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Rodents accessed and damaged the car because there essentials components are not protected.
NHTSA complaint #11651621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, MDCrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My vehicle is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and a Pre-Collision System. Today, while driving with DRCC engaged, my vehicle followed a leading car and appropriately slowed down to 2 mph as we approached a signalized intersection. However, when the leading vehicle changed lanes, a gap was created between me and a new lead vehicle, which was fully stopped. Despite this, the DRCC system accelerated to 5mph and collided with the stopped vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11620914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, MDCrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My vehicle is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and a Pre-Collision System. Today, while driving with DRCC engaged, my vehicle followed a leading car and appropriately slowed down to 2 mph as we approached a signalized intersection. However, when the leading vehicle changed lanes, a gap was created between me and a new lead vehicle, which was fully stopped. Despite this, the DRCC system accelerated to 5mph and collided with the stopped vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11620914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesHolden, ME
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated while driving 45–50 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The driver continued to pump the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond and depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle accelerated, veered across the road, jumped the curb, and stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and an engineer determined that the brakes were working properly. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
NHTSA complaint #11604557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesHolden, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated while driving 45–50 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The driver continued to pump the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond and depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle accelerated, veered across the road, jumped the curb, and stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and an engineer determined that the brakes were working properly. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
NHTSA complaint #11604557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPikesville, MD
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated that after the vehicle was shifted into park, the key was removed and the contact stepped away from the vehicle, when the vehicle inadvertently started to roll away. As a result, the vehicle rolled into the neighbor’s driveway and grazed another vehicle then stopped. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was on the charger port, the vehicle failed to start. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11545583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPikesville, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated that after the vehicle was shifted into park, the key was removed and the contact stepped away from the vehicle, when the vehicle inadvertently started to roll away. As a result, the vehicle rolled into the neighbor’s driveway and grazed another vehicle then stopped. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was on the charger port, the vehicle failed to start. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11545583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CACrash
AIR BAGS
Brakes of my Toyota Pirius Prime did not work after I was hit on my right side. Brakes completlety was out. Also I was not able to run the car. The cars brakes should work even I got an accident to precent some further damage to other cars.
NHTSA complaint #11492523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CACrash
ENGINE
Brakes of my Toyota Pirius Prime did not work after I was hit on my right side. Brakes completlety was out. Also I was not able to run the car. The cars brakes should work even I got an accident to precent some further damage to other cars.
NHTSA complaint #11492523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes of my Toyota Pirius Prime did not work after I was hit on my right side. Brakes completlety was out. Also I was not able to run the car. The cars brakes should work even I got an accident to precent some further damage to other cars.
NHTSA complaint #11492523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A sticky accelerator caused my 2021 Prius to lurch forward into a wall. I was pulling into a parking place when this happened. The front airbag deployed. This is the second time this has happened to me with a Prius. In my previous Prius it happened to me two years ago. Both times the vehicle suddenly lurched forward. It was terrifying.
NHTSA complaint #11459435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 518 milesLore City, OH
VISIBILITY/WIPER
CAN'T SEE VEHICLE DISPLAY SCREEN DURING BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS, WHICH I FIND DANGEROUS CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT ISSUE, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT PEOPLE SAFETY
NHTSA complaint #11416289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.