430 of the 15,583 complaints filed about the Toyota Prius are about the body and structure — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.
430
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
61
Crashes
9
Fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
While driving straight on smooth paved road, car began to shake and right rear passenger wheel came completely separated from car. After skidding off the road and being able to visually inspect, it was clear the sub-frame had broken and the wheel had come off in its entirety. The rotor, the lugs, and calipers were all still attached to the wheel.
NHTSA complaint #11753091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Brake
NHTSA complaint #11749255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The factory clear coat has delaminated
NHTSA complaint #11741039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
What component failed: The rear plastic trim on my 2023 Toyota Prius cracked without any impact, accident, or external cause. The component is still on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: While this is primarily a structural/cosmetic defect, cracking plastic trim that was not caused by the owner suggests a broader manufacturing quality issue. If this type of failure occurs in components closer to safety systems, it could pose a more serious risk. Confirmed by dealer: Yes. I brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership and service center (Berkeley Toyota) for inspection. They confirmed the cracking. The vehicle was purchased at Livermore Toyota. Other inspections: The vehicle was inspected by the Berkeley Toyota dealership and service center. No other parties have inspected it at this time. Prior warning signs: None. There were no warning lights, sounds, or symptoms before the crack appeared. It was discovered suddenly with no preceding indicators.
NHTSA complaint #11738763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicle has an active safety recall where the rear hatch may open while driving. Manufacturer states there is no remedy until August 2026, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am still making loan and insurance payments on a vehicle that cannot safely be used due to the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11723455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Body / Liftgate The rear hatch unexpectedly dropped and fell on my head while the vehicle was stationary. The right-side rear hatch gas strut separated from the body at the mounting point. The left-side rear hatch gas strut had also shown signs of imminent failure and subsequently broke near its mounting point. This resulted in loss of hatch support and uncontrolled closure, creating a risk of head and upper-body injury. The failure appears related to structural stress at the strut mounting locations, not misuse. Seat Belt – Rear Center Passenger The rear center passenger seat belt upper cover can be easily pulled off by passengers, which breaks the plastic retaining tab. When the tab breaks, plastic fragments fall into the seat belt mechanism, causing the belt to jam and fail to retract properly. This results in impaired seat belt function, which is a safety concern for rear passengers. The vehicle has not been modified, and the failure occurred during normal use. Vehicle mileage at time of incident was approximately 150,000 miles. The rear center passenger seat belt issue has been present since the vehicle was new. The rear center passenger seat belt mechanism was replaced twice by the dealer during the warranty period, with one replacement performed as a goodwill repair after Toyota Corporate declined coverage. Despite these repairs, the same issue reoccurred, indicating a persistent design-related vulnerability rather than isolated misuse. The issue results in seat belt jamming and failure to retract, which is a safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11711380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
The rear plastic where the handle to open the truck is easily damaged and can cause water or damage inside the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11711400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The color of my Prius 2010 starts with 070, blizzard white pearl. The body started peeling. I have visited Toyota dealer on 12/29/25 with this issue and got to know that this issue is well known but the service campaign was finished around June, 2025. I own this car from 2023, October and visiting Toyota dealers for services regularly, but never thought that this issue was a common issue by Toyota. Also, I have not heard anything from dealer. It is also true that the issue was not severe and even if it was, I was not attentive to that, apologize for my ignorance. However, it seems the issue is getting worse day by day. I did not receive any notice from Toyota about any campaign about this issue. My Toyota dealer recommended me to reach out to Toyota if any courtesy repair can be done on my vehicle. I reached out to Toyota, but seems to me they cannot do much. Can I get any help in this regards?
NHTSA complaint #11707554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
There is water leakage between the window and and the scraper seal resulting in water saturating the insulation in the door. During spring, summer and fall, this results in a powerful mildew/mold smell. We are concerned about health risks of breathing this pollutant. The dealership, Page Toyota in Southfield Mi has confirmed this. In addition, Toyota Engagement Center has also been involved. The problem is confirmed however the only solution they presented was the cleanup of only 1 inside door panel. The problem persists. We believe this ongoing issue presents a health risk and the outside rubber scraper needs to be re designed.
NHTSA complaint #11706052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
It's a known quality defect covered under CSP ZKG. Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. The Customer Support Program (CSP) provides coverage for involved vehicles with the original factory Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint. The covered condition may occur when sunlight over time degrades the adhesion between the factory-applied paint primer coat layer and the base metal electrodeposition layer causing the paint to peel from the metal body panel. If the condition is verified, the specific panel affected will be repainted. The problem is that I was not notified for my 2010 Prius II and found out today, November 19th, that the paint peeling issue was covered in a CSP. I contacted the Toyota of Richardson service department, Justin Houge, and he referred me to Toyota Headquarters in Plano, TX. I contacted Toyota Headquarters specialist, Amanda, and she informed me that the CSP expired on June 13, 2025 and to contact the dealership for remedy. Attached are photos of the blizzard pearl paint peeling on all four door panels and driver fender panel.
NHTSA complaint #11700439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Trunk lock will not unlock or allow opening, back latch malfunctions, when car battery dies or car looses power《• you cannot open the trunk and access emergency tools/equipment and battery to jump car. •》You have to access by climbing through the front of the car if you are able-bodied too. There is no opening handle from the inside of the trunk to be let out, scariest and one of the most important major safety concerns, theres no emergency exit from inside vehicle. Water/snow/ice also falls down into the vehicle when opening hatchback, it slides inward from hood of car or slides back from rear windshield and door, causes water to be pooled up in my battery compartment.
NHTSA complaint #11684149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Standing at a red light and someone rear ended
NHTSA complaint #11674421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR
Hatch release has melted, see NHTSA ID’s for example: 10511408, 10533059, 10504366, 10496197, 10448470, etc.
NHTSA complaint #11600977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
The clear coat failed despite regular wax and optimal storage. I have seen a few Toyota vehicles of this same color with clear coat failures.
NHTSA complaint #11597302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11592674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 panel behind the rear window and the top of the trunk showing signs of damage as well. The beginnings of this damage are also appearing on a couple of parts of the side doors, making it clear that the underlying problem applies to all of the blue exterior paint. It seems as if the exterior layer - some sort of sealant or finish - is not holding up properly in the sun. By contrast, our red-painted 2014 Prius, which has been exposed to the same conditions but for a longer period of time - shows none of this damage. The damage is quite extensive and visible, and it's unclear to what extent the protective qualities of the paint are now compromised. The service department at the dealership has inspected the paint, as has a third-party shop, and all agree that there is a serious paint problem. The issue is available for further inspection. The safety issue here is the potential for corrosion of the body due to the compromised paint integrity.
NHTSA complaint #11586268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The rear right wheel broke off when going in reverse, leaving driveway (low speed). Towed to a garage. Was told that the rear frame member had rusted through. Had no warning of this -- car is used regularly and had been inspected several months ago. EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO ANOTHER COUPLE WE KNOW WHO ALSO OWN A 2013 PRIUS -- rear wheel came off because the frame member rusted through. Happened about a month before ours. They too were going in reverse, slowly, coming out of a parking spot, after driving 40+ miles to Boston. Car needed to be towed and rear frame member replaced. Repair for us cost $1300
NHTSA complaint #11565553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Weather stripping around the solar sunroof cracked and has come off in sections. This is a very common problem with this specific model, but remains low due to the low numbers the solar sunroof packages was produced. Afraid the sunroof will leak if used, so it stays inoperable in order to not damage broken seals.
NHTSA complaint #11554587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The rear quarter panel is peeling off
NHTSA complaint #11541457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
catalytic converter is easily accessible and there should be a recall to have a safety operation and stop all these cars from being sold in the market because there is a rise in many thefts of the catalytic converter due to it being very easily accusable without any guard in place to prevent thieves from getting to it to remove and sell for parts. Spray paint can be cleaned off and vin numbers can be sanded down. simply trying that will not work. i was unaware that it was stolen off of the vehicle until i drove it a little ways to where the vehicle was then burning and i could smell it catching on fire
NHTSA complaint #11536412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.