2021 Toyota Prius Prime Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Toyota Prius Prime has a complaint index of 86, ranking 2nd worst of 8 model years, with a verdict of Avoid. Owners reported 10 complaints, mostly involving the Electrical System (40%) and Brakes (30%), with 4 crashes and 2 injuries; no recalls are listed.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 86/100
- #2 of 8 Prius Prime years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 10
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 54
- 55 city / 53 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2021 Toyota Prius Prime problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System4 (40%)
- Brakes3 (30%)
- Engine2 (20%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (20%)
- Fuel System2 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (20%)
- Airbags1 (10%)
- Other1 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (10%)
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 the brakes failed to respond after a collision, leaving the car unable to stop or move.
- One owner described the vehicle rolling away on its own after being shifted into park and the key removed.
- Drivers report the rearview camera intermittently going black in reverse and while driving, with no warning light.
- One owner reported the display screen becoming unreadable in bright sunlight.
- One driver reported the brake pedal failing to respond while approaching a stop sign, causing the vehicle to accelerate and jump a curb.
- One owner reported rodent damage to unprotected electrical components.
2021 Toyota Prius Prime recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other Prius Prime years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime reliable?
- Compared to other Prius Prime years, 2021 ranks 2nd worst out of 8 model years with a complaint index of 86, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Prius Prime?
- NHTSA complaints point mostly to the Electrical System (40% of complaints) and Brakes (30%), along with reports involving the Engine, Fuel System, and Collision Avoidance cameras.
- Does the 2021 Prius Prime have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2021 Prius Prime.
- How many complaints does the 2021 Prius Prime have?
- NHTSA lists 10 complaints for the 2021 Prius Prime, including 4 crashes and 2 injuries.
- Which Prius Prime years are better than 2021?
- NHTSA complaint data shows 2019 and 2023 rank as Best, while 2018 and 2022 rank as Good, all with lower complaint indexes than the 2021 model's 86.