2021 Toyota Prius Prime Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
71/100
#3 most-complained of 8 Prius Prime years
The 2021 Toyota Prius Prime has a Complaint Index of 71, ranking 3rd worst among 8 model years and earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 10 complaints, 4 crashes, 2 injuries, and 0 recalls for this year.
- Complaints
- 10
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 54
- 55 city / 53 hwy
Top 2021 Toyota Prius Prime problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report brakes failing to stop the car after being hit, leaving the vehicle unable to run.
- Some describe the brake pedal sinking to the floorboard while driving 45 to 50 mph, causing the car to accelerate, veer across the road, and jump a curb.
- Owners report the rearview camera intermittently going black both in reverse and while driving at various speeds, with no warning light and no dealer diagnosis.
- Adaptive cruise control (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control) reportedly failed to react properly when a leading vehicle changed lanes, creating a gap at an intersection.
- Owners describe the vehicle rolling away on its own after being shifted into park, the key removed, and the driver stepping away.
- Some report the vehicle display screen becoming unreadable in bright sunlight, at a reported mileage of 518.
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 a good year to avoid?
- It carries a Caution verdict with a Complaint Index of 71, ranking 3rd worst out of 8 model years with NHTSA data. It is not the worst year, but it trails several newer and older years like 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023.
- What are the most common problems on the 2021 Prius Prime?
- NHTSA complaints point to the Electrical System (40% of complaints, median mileage 177,000) and Brakes (30% of complaints, median mileage 34,000) as the top problem areas, followed by Engine and Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues.
- Does the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2021 model year, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Prius Prime compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 71 is worse than 2019 (0, Best), 2020 (43, Good), 2022 (29, Good), and 2023 (14, Best), but better than 2017 (100, Avoid) and 2024 (86, Avoid).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime?
- EPA rates it at 54 mpg combined (55 city / 53 highway) with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,200.