What year Toyota Prius Prime should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017 and 2021 model years rank worst, with complaint indexes of 100 and 86 respectively. The 2017 model year had the most complaints overall at 42.

What is the best year for the Toyota Prius Prime?

The 2019 and 2023 model years rate as Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 14, the lowest among all 8 model years covered.

Is the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime reliable?

The 2017 model year has the highest complaint index (100) of any Prius Prime year, with 42 complaints, most involving visibility/wiper and electrical system issues, so it ranks as Avoid relative to other years.

What are the most common problems with the Toyota Prius Prime?

Across all model years, the top reported problem areas are Electrical System (28 complaints, 24%), Visibility & Wipers (18 complaints, 15%), and Brakes (15 complaints, 13%).

Does the Toyota Prius Prime have recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns across the 2017-2024 Prius Prime model years, with the 2023 and 2024 model years each carrying 4 recalls.

Toyota Prius Prime Best and Worst Years (2017–2024)

Toyota Prius Prime owners should avoid the 2017 and 2021 model years, which have the highest complaint indexes (100 and 86) among 118 total complaints across 8 model years. The 2019 and 2023 model years score lowest and rate as Best.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2017 Avoid 2021 Best 2019 Best 2023

Model years: 8; 2017–2024
NHTSA complaints: 118
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 22
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Electrical System

Prius Prime Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Toyota Prius Prime problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2017	Avoid	100	42	5	0	Visibility & Wipers	54	—
2018	Good	43	16	4	0	Airbags	54	—
2019	Best	0	8	0	1	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	54	—
2020	Caution	57	16	5	1	Visibility & Wipers	54	—
2021	Avoid	86	10	4	0	Electrical System	54	5★
2022	Good	29	8	3	1	Engine	54	5★
2023	Best	14	6	0	4	Electrical System	50	5★
2024	Caution	71	12	1	4	Electrical System	50	5★

Prius Prime years to avoid: what went wrong

2017 Toyota Prius Prime Index 100 · 42 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2017 Prius Prime leads all years with 42 complaints and the highest complaint index (100) in the lineup. Visibility and wiper problems make up 21% of its complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 19%. Owners also reported brake problems with a median mileage at failure of 45,000 miles, and structure/body complaints including seat rail failures. Some owners described unintended acceleration after shifting into park and crashes where safety systems did not activate as expected. NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

2021 Toyota Prius Prime Index 86 · 10 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2021 Prius Prime ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 86 from 10 complaints. Electrical system issues account for 40% of its complaints, with a high median mileage at failure of 177,000 miles, followed by brake problems at 30% and a median mileage of 34,000 miles. Owners described vehicles rolling away after being shifted into park and removed from the ignition, as well as adaptive cruise control failing to maintain safe following distance. No recalls are recorded for this model year.

Most common Toyota Prius Prime problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System28 (24%)
Visibility & Wipers18 (15%)
Brakes15 (13%)
Other15 (13%)
Engine14 (12%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (11%)
Transmission & Powertrain13 (11%)
Structure & Body12 (10%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (8%)
Fuel System8 (7%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Toyota Prius Prime should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017 and 2021 model years rank worst, with complaint indexes of 100 and 86 respectively. The 2017 model year had the most complaints overall at 42.
What is the best year for the Toyota Prius Prime?: The 2019 and 2023 model years rate as Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 14, the lowest among all 8 model years covered.
Is the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime reliable?: The 2017 model year has the highest complaint index (100) of any Prius Prime year, with 42 complaints, most involving visibility/wiper and electrical system issues, so it ranks as Avoid relative to other years.
What are the most common problems with the Toyota Prius Prime?: Across all model years, the top reported problem areas are Electrical System (28 complaints, 24%), Visibility & Wipers (18 complaints, 15%), and Brakes (15 complaints, 13%).
Does the Toyota Prius Prime have recalls?: NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns across the 2017-2024 Prius Prime model years, with the 2023 and 2024 model years each carrying 4 recalls.