YearToAvoid

2020 Toyota Prius Prime Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime has a complaint index of 57, ranking 4th worst among 8 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 16 complaints, 1 recall, and 5 crash reports, with visibility and wiper issues topping the problem list.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
57/100
#4 of 8 Prius Prime years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
16
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Visibility & Wipers
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
54
55 city / 53 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2020 Toyota Prius Prime problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Visibility & Wipers5 (31%)
  2. Electrical System3 (19%)
  3. Engine3 (19%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain3 (19%)
  5. Brakes2 (13%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (13%)
  7. Airbags1 (6%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (6%)

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

What owners report

  • Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, resulting in collisions with vehicles, buildings, or curbs.
  • Windshield frost forms on the inside of the glass and takes 20 minutes or more to clear, reducing visibility during cold starts.
  • The backup camera display can go dark if the view is obstructed, removing the rear-view aid while reversing.
  • Brakes have failed to reduce speed in at least one low-speed parking incident, ending in a crash into a wall.
  • The infotainment touchscreen sometimes goes blank in part or entirely, cutting off access to climate and defrost controls while driving.
  • One owner reported rodent damage to wiring and the air filter that affected the hybrid system and triggered a warning light.
2020 Toyota Prius Prime complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2020Nov 2020Feb 2022Dec 2022Jan 2024Feb 2025
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2020 to Sep 2025; peak Feb 2021 (3).

2020 Toyota Prius Prime recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V544000Jul 24, 2019Brakes6,925 vehicles

    Service brakes

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

    Risk: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.

2020 Toyota Prius Prime fuel economy and fuel cost

City
55 MPG
Highway
53 MPG
Combined
54 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular Gas and Electricity
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other Prius Prime years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020172018201920202021202220232024
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Good4316054
2019Best08154
2020Caution5716154
2021Avoid8610054
2022Good298154

All Toyota Prius Prime years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime reliable?
It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 57, ranking 4th worst out of 8 Prius Prime model years.
What problems does the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime have?
NHTSA complaints most often cite Visibility & Wipers issues (31% of complaints), followed by Electrical System, Engine, and Transmission & Powertrain problems, each at 19%.
Does the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 19V544000) covers a brake booster pump issue; Toyota dealers inspect and replace the pump if needed, free of charge.
How does the 2020 model compare to other Prius Prime years?
The 2019 and 2023 model years earn a Best verdict with complaint indexes of 0 and 14, while 2020 sits worse at 57, though it ranks better than the 2017 and 2021 Avoid years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime?
EPA rates it at 54 mpg combined (55 city / 53 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,200.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.