Toyota Prius Problems And Common Complaints

Whether you’re looking to buy a Prius or taking preventative measures for your eco-friendly sedan, it’s always a good idea to know the most common issues found in this car.

Note: The list of problems below is organized by vehicle generation. Scroll down to find your model range.

2016-Present Prius - Common Problems

A 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Premium

Good news: There are very few problems reported for this generation of Prius. The most common complaint is that the windshield cracks too easily when hit by a rock. Of course, this is much more likely if you live in a state where gravel/road salt is put on the roads in the winter. If you live in a warmer climate, you shouldn't see this problem.

2010-2015 Toyota Prius - Common Problems

A 2010 Toyota Prius

Ineffective Headlight Wiring: It's not uncommon for a Prius owner to experience intermittent - and sometimes total - HID headlight failure. It's because the wiring is set up to overheat the bulbs and burn them out. Sometimes the wires themselves will melt. Replacing the wiring and/or harness will fix this problem.

Cracked Brake Pressure Accumulator: Many Prius owners reported a loss of brake pressure or an unexpected release of the brakes while driving over bumpy roads. This is because the brake pressure accumulator can crack from excessive vibration. Toyota issued a recall in 2013 and had thousands of Prii inspected. If necessary, they also replaced the brake actuator for free.

Clogged Piston Rings: Toyota gave 2010-2015 Toyota Prii thinner piston rings and an updated piston design, both of which turned out to be not so effective. As a result, the Prii in this generation is prone to clogged piston rings, which leads to excessive oil consumption. Many Prius owners have found success by replacing the piston and piston rings.

Cracked Side Curtain Airbag Inflators: The side curtain airbag inflators are made of two pieces welded together. A small crack can develop in the weld area, causing the airbag to inflate unexpectedly. In 2016, Toyota recalled affected Prius models and had dealers install retention brackets free of charge.

Intelligent Power Module (IPM) Malfunction: The IPM, which helps handle mileage and power performance, is prone to failure under high operating temperatures. As a result, the Prius either stalls completely or starts operating in a reduced power mode. In an effort to solve this issue, Toyota had its dealers either update the software in the motor control module and hybrid control module or completely replace the IPM in the affected Prii.

2003-2009 Toyota Prius - Common Problems

A 2004 Toyota Prius

Ineffective Headlight Wiring: See 2010-2015 Toyota Prius - Common Problems

Cracked Brake Pressure Accumulator: See 2010-2015 Toyota Prius - Common Problems

Clogged Piston Rings: See 2010-2015 Toyota Prius - Common Problems

Premature Steering Intermediate Extension Shaft Wear: The extension shaft in older Prii was manufactured with metal splines that weren’t hard enough to withstand a lot of pressure over a prolonged period of time. As a result, the driver may experience loose steering or a complete loss of steering. Toyota reacted by recalling all affected Prii and having dealers inspect the extension shaft and replace it if necessary.

Corroded Coil Wire in the Water Pump: Some of the water pumps were accidentally scratched during manufacturing, resulting in corrosion in the coil wire. Once the wire breaks (possibly causing a short circuit), the water pump stops working and the Prius either overheats or stalls. In 2012, Toyota recalled and replaced the electric water pump in about 350,000 Prii free of charge.

2000-2002 Toyota Prius - Common Problems

A 2001 Toyota Prius

Cracked Brake Pressure Accumulator: See 2010-2015 Toyota Prius - Common Problems

Throttle Body Failure: Many Prius owners have experienced a sudden drop in engine power while on the road. This is attributed to throttle body failure, and replacing it usually fixes the problem.

Loose Steering Linkage: The steering linkage in first-gen Prii tends to loosen over time, resulting in reduced power steering, usually when a left turn is made. A recall was issued by Toyota in summer 2011 to replace the nuts in the steering linkage in over 50,000 Prius vehicles.

2001-2017 Toyota Prius TSBs

To find these TSBs, you can try Googling the TSB ID #, the name of the TSB, or some combination. You can also go to NHTSA.gov and search for the TSB by entering your VIN.