Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2017 Toyota Prius V with NHTSA between 2017 and 2024.
The largest single group is the lights.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 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 — 7
Against the median year of the Toyota Prius V. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
67% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2017 Toyota Prius V
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Lights
428.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 55,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
214.3%
Median failure at 2,500 miles
Body & Structure
214.3%
Median failure at 91,250 miles
Equipment & Accessories
17.1%
Stability & Traction Control
17.1%
Tires
17.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17.1%
Median failure at 100 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 14,500 mi
Airbags
17.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 35,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
222.2%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
222.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
111.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
111.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
111.1%
150,000+ miles
111.1%
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.
Jun 2017peak 2Oct 2024
Recalls on the 2017 Toyota Prius V
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
Recall 202028411,576 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: The Intelligent Power Module (IPM), which is part of the hybrid drive system, could become damaged under certain driving conditions. This could cause various warnings to appear on the instrument panel and cause the hybrid system to shut down. If this happens, there can be a loss of power to the wheels. Safety Risk: A loss of power to the wheels could create the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the hybrid system.
Recall 201736339,189 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, the electrical power cords of some dealer installed block heaters may have been improperly manufactured, causing the wires to contact each other, resulting in a short circuit. A short circuit could lead to a fire which would increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: For vehicles where the subject block heater was approved for installation, the dealer will replace the block heater assembly with a new one of an improved design. For vehicles where the subject block heater was not approved for installation, dealers will remove the block heater assembly. In the interim, until the remedy can be performed, dealers will cut the plug end from the block heater cord to disable the block heater's operation.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 120,000 milesDallas, TXCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SINCE WE HAD PURCHASE OUR CAR PRIUS V FOUR WITH DRL (DAY RUNNING LIGHTS)(VERTICAL LED UNIT IN BUMPER) THEY NEVER WORKED PROPERLY-HENCE NOT VISIBLE IN OUR ACCIDENT.. UNLIKE OTHER EARLIER MODELS THE USER COULD ADJUST THE SENSOR AND TURN THIS FEATURE ON OR OFF-BUT NOW THE FEATURE CAN ONLY BE PERFORMED BY A TOYOTA SERVICE MECHANIC. THE FEATURE ALSO OPERATES OFF A DAY LIGHT SENSOR THAT ALSO CANNOT BE ADJUSTED BY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. HENCE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE NOTED IN FAQ ON TOYOTAS SITE IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11353170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,500 milesArlington, VACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS SLOWLY ( < 5MPH) APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN A 25 MPH ZONE ON A 4 LANE STREET THERE WERE 2 VEHICLES AHEAD OF ME. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTIL MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT. THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE WAS TO DRIVE IT INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND NOT TO SWERVE. ONCE I HAD STOPPED AND CAUGHT MY BREATH, I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK AWAY FROM THE CAR I HAD HIT, AND ONCE AGAIN THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME. UNTIL THIS TIME I HAVE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. IT ONLY HAS BEEN DRIVEN 14,500 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11210079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesSacramento, CACrash
AIR BAGS
MY 2017 PRIUS V WAS INVOLVED IN 2 RECENT CRASHES IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY: FRONT END/BUMPER IMPACT ON 6/1/18 AND FRONT & REAR END IMPACT WHICH TOTALED CAR ON 7/3/18. BOTH TIMES AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IMPACT ON 6/1/18 CAUSED OTHER CAR'S (2008 HONDA ACCORD) AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY, BUT NOT MINE. TOYOTA SENT INSPECTOR AFTER 6/1 CRASH; REPORT ENCLOSED. 7/3 CRASH WAS EVEN MORE SEVERE TRAVELING AT 61 MPH WHEN IMPACTED IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT EXCESSIVE SPEED. MY CAR SUSTAINED FRONT AND REAR DAMAGE AFTER IMPACT BY OTHER CAR IN THE REAR AND IMPACT IN THE FRONT INTO HIGHWAY CENTER CEMENT DIVIDER. MY CAR WAS TOTALED, BUT STILL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM CONCERNED THERE MAY BE A MFR DEFECT IN THE PRIUS V AIR BAG SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE OTHER PRIUS AIR BAG RECALL REQUIRED BY YOU IN JANUARY 2018. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FURTHER. I HAVE BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR, AND AM RECOVERING FROM MINOR BRUISING INJURIES. I DO NOT PLAN ANY LEGAL ACTION. I AM MAINLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY FOR OTHER PRIUS V DRIVERS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11111479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Glen Rock, PA
TIRES
While driving I heard noises, like “flap,flap,flap”. Pulled over to look at the tire and saw that the tire was peeling. Changed to the donut spare tire and went to “Firestone” 5 days later to have a new tire put on because the original service shop, “Mr King auto services center”, would not take any responsibility for a the tire that was purchased and installed by them 6 months prior. I went to Mr Tire 2 days after this happened and was basically told there was nothing they could do and said it was the alignment. Firestone said my alignment was fine and gave me paperwork to show what was checked. Cooper P215/50R17 (90W)
NHTSA complaint #11620875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud explosion coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that after stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the passenger’s side rear hatch strut had exploded into pieces. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11602394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesDallas, TXCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SINCE WE HAD PURCHASE OUR CAR PRIUS V FOUR WITH DRL (DAY RUNNING LIGHTS)(VERTICAL LED UNIT IN BUMPER) THEY NEVER WORKED PROPERLY-HENCE NOT VISIBLE IN OUR ACCIDENT.. UNLIKE OTHER EARLIER MODELS THE USER COULD ADJUST THE SENSOR AND TURN THIS FEATURE ON OR OFF-BUT NOW THE FEATURE CAN ONLY BE PERFORMED BY A TOYOTA SERVICE MECHANIC. THE FEATURE ALSO OPERATES OFF A DAY LIGHT SENSOR THAT ALSO CANNOT BE ADJUSTED BY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. HENCE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE NOTED IN FAQ ON TOYOTAS SITE IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11353170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Grange Highlands, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I PURCHASED MY 2017 PRIUS V II IN MAY 2017. APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS OR SO AFTER PURCHASE MY HEADLIGHTS BURNT OUT, FIRST THE DRIVER'S SIDE THEN PASSENGERS SIDE. I AM NOW REPLACING, PURCHASING NEW HEADLIGHTS EVERY 3-4 BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO BURN OUT. I'VE TRIED VARIOUS BRANDS INCLUDING BUYING DIRECTLY FROM TOYOTA BUT THEY STILL BURN OUT. THIS IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY FOR NIGHT DRIVING. LUCKILY THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT BURN OUT TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME. TOYOTA DEALER WON'T GIVE ME AN ANSWER EXCEPT TO PURCHASE A NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR MY HEADLIGHTS
NHTSA complaint #11310321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,500 milesArlington, VACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS SLOWLY ( < 5MPH) APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN A 25 MPH ZONE ON A 4 LANE STREET THERE WERE 2 VEHICLES AHEAD OF ME. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTIL MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT. THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE WAS TO DRIVE IT INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND NOT TO SWERVE. ONCE I HAD STOPPED AND CAUGHT MY BREATH, I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK AWAY FROM THE CAR I HAD HIT, AND ONCE AGAIN THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME. UNTIL THIS TIME I HAVE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. IT ONLY HAS BEEN DRIVEN 14,500 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11210079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesDallas, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PRIUS V 2017 VEHICLE 4 SERIES DOES NOT COME WITH 'FOG LIGHTING' WHICH I HAD IN MY PRIUS V 2012 AND USED ALL THE TIME-THE CAR I HAVE DOES COME WITH LED DAY RUNNING LIGHTS-I REALLY NEVER KNEW THEY WERE LIGHTS BECAUSE I NEVER SAW THEM ON. AT THE DEALERS-THE DID RESET THEM AND THE LIGHTS WORKED BUT NOW TOYOTA WANTS TO CHARGE ME $300-400 TO TRACE THE POWER LINES-THE RELAY TO THESE LIGHTS IS $31-BUT FOR SAFETY REASONS-ESPECIALLY IN TEXAS AND THE BRIGHT SUN-I WISH THEY WERE WORKING AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BY THE DEALERS FOR ALL OWNERS. I DRIVE PROFESSIONALLY SO MY PASSENGER'S SAFETY IS ALSO MY MAIN CONCERN IN THE MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #11209722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesSacramento, CACrash
AIR BAGS
MY 2017 PRIUS V WAS INVOLVED IN 2 RECENT CRASHES IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY: FRONT END/BUMPER IMPACT ON 6/1/18 AND FRONT & REAR END IMPACT WHICH TOTALED CAR ON 7/3/18. BOTH TIMES AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IMPACT ON 6/1/18 CAUSED OTHER CAR'S (2008 HONDA ACCORD) AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY, BUT NOT MINE. TOYOTA SENT INSPECTOR AFTER 6/1 CRASH; REPORT ENCLOSED. 7/3 CRASH WAS EVEN MORE SEVERE TRAVELING AT 61 MPH WHEN IMPACTED IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT EXCESSIVE SPEED. MY CAR SUSTAINED FRONT AND REAR DAMAGE AFTER IMPACT BY OTHER CAR IN THE REAR AND IMPACT IN THE FRONT INTO HIGHWAY CENTER CEMENT DIVIDER. MY CAR WAS TOTALED, BUT STILL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM CONCERNED THERE MAY BE A MFR DEFECT IN THE PRIUS V AIR BAG SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE OTHER PRIUS AIR BAG RECALL REQUIRED BY YOU IN JANUARY 2018. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FURTHER. I HAVE BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR, AND AM RECOVERING FROM MINOR BRUISING INJURIES. I DO NOT PLAN ANY LEGAL ACTION. I AM MAINLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY FOR OTHER PRIUS V DRIVERS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11111479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GPS NAVIGATOR IS MISLEADING FOR 50 USA STATES. THE DASHBOARD IS NOT WORKING CORRECT SOMETIME, MAYBE THE SOFTWARE HAS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11083570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverdale, MD
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
GPS NAVIGATOR IS MISLEADING FOR 50 USA STATES. THE DASHBOARD IS NOT WORKING CORRECT SOMETIME, MAYBE THE SOFTWARE HAS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11083570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Liverpool, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IN THE 18 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE I HAVE LEFT IT RUNNING AT LEAST SIX TIMES YOU THINK IT'S SHUT OFF AND YOU WALK AWAY AND A WHILE LATER IT STARTS BACK UP THERE NEEDS TO BE A LITE OR SOME INDICATOR TELLING U IT'S STILL ON.
NHTSA complaint #11067341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesSanta Cruz, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PROBLEM APPEARS AT NIGHT, AND IS VERY DANGEROUS ON CURVING MOUNTAIN ROADS WHICH I DRIVE OFTEN. IT IS A FOUR LANE ROAD, OFTEN HWY 17. AS THE AMBIENT LIGHT REDUCES, AS THERE ARE FEWER CARS AROUND ME, THE WINDSHIELD DARKENS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, AND LEAVES ME WITH PERHAPS ONLY 10 INCHES AT THE BOTTOM I CAN SEE THROUGH. I CANNOT SEE VERY FAR IN FRONT OF ME, TO SEE WHERE A CURVE GOES, WHAT IS ON THE ROAD, OR HOW MUCH ROOM I HAVE AROUND ME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS THE HEADLIGHTS THAT PROVIDE REDUCED LIGHTING. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, THAT I SHOULD TURN ON MY BRIGHTS, REGARDLESS OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11046100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesSanta Cruz, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE PROBLEM APPEARS AT NIGHT, AND IS VERY DANGEROUS ON CURVING MOUNTAIN ROADS WHICH I DRIVE OFTEN. IT IS A FOUR LANE ROAD, OFTEN HWY 17. AS THE AMBIENT LIGHT REDUCES, AS THERE ARE FEWER CARS AROUND ME, THE WINDSHIELD DARKENS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, AND LEAVES ME WITH PERHAPS ONLY 10 INCHES AT THE BOTTOM I CAN SEE THROUGH. I CANNOT SEE VERY FAR IN FRONT OF ME, TO SEE WHERE A CURVE GOES, WHAT IS ON THE ROAD, OR HOW MUCH ROOM I HAVE AROUND ME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS THE HEADLIGHTS THAT PROVIDE REDUCED LIGHTING. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, THAT I SHOULD TURN ON MY BRIGHTS, REGARDLESS OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11046100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesWhitehouse Station, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR IS A HYBRID AND MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO NOISE WHEN START BACKING UP FROM A COLD START. CAR HAS A BEEPING SOUND INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN REVERSE IS SELECTED. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH A CHILD BECAUSE THE CHILD RAN IN BACK OF MY QUIET CAR WHEN I WAS BACKING UP. NORMALLY CAR HAVE A NOISE AND THAT WOULD WARN THE CHILD. COMMERCIAL HAVE VEHICLES HAVE A BEEPER INSTALLED AND SOUNDING WHEN BACKING UP TO WARN PEOPLE. I STRONG FEEL ELECTRIC CARS NEED THIS SAFETY DEVICE. I CALL TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THIS INSTALLED AT MY EXPENSE. TOYOTA COMPLAINT NUMBER: 1702242304.
NHTSA complaint #11000464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesWhitehouse Station, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY
TOYOTA PRIUS V IS A STATION WAGON WITH A HATCH IN THE BACK. TO MY SURPRISE WHEN CARRYING ANYTHING THAT STICKS OUT THE BACK, THERE IS NO WAY OR TYING DOWN THE HATCH. THERE IS NO MEANS OF KEEPING THE HATCH DOWN AS FAR AS POSSIBLE SO EXHAUST FUMES, RAIN, ETC... GETS INTO THE CAR. ALSO WITH THE HATCH TOTAL OPEN THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND BACKUP CAMERA POINT TOWARDS THE SKY AND MAKES THE CAR MORE DANGEROUS. SOME TYPE OF METHOD SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY TOYOTA TO SECURE THE BACK HATCH LIKE A "D RING" . THIS IS PROVIDED IN THE3 CAR TO SECURE LUGGAGE IN THE BACK BUT NO THOUGHT WAS GIVEN TO SECURING THE HATCH WHEN IT NEEDS TO BE PARTIALLY OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #11000471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.