Toyota Prius Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Toyota Prius model years 2005 through 2010 rank worst, led by 2010 with a complaint index of 100 and 2,822 complaints tied largely to brakes. Years 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 rank best, each with complaint indexes of 15 or below.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Best 2018Best 2019Best 2021Best 2023Best 2025
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 11,453
- Recall campaigns
- 31
- Crashes reported
- 932
- Fires reported
- 57
- Top problem area
- Brakes
Prius 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.
Toyota Prius problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 75 | 1,051 | 102 | 4 | 6 | Electrical System | 46 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 85 | 1,439 | 82 | 5 | 6 | Electrical System | 46 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 95 | 2,003 | 124 | 9 | 4 | Electrical System | 46 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 90 | 1,497 | 152 | 6 | 4 | Electrical System | 46 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 80 | 502 | 64 | 4 | 6 | Brakes | 46 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 2,822 | 183 | 13 | 10 | Brakes | 50 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 70 | 519 | 37 | 7 | 6 | Brakes | 48 | 5★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 65 | 423 | 46 | 2 | 6 | Brakes | 48 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 60 | 409 | 39 | 3 | 3 | Brakes | 48 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 50 | 207 | 25 | 1 | 3 | Brakes | 48 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 55 | 165 | 29 | 1 | 1 | Brakes | 48 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Good | 45 | 154 | 8 | 0 | 5 | Visibility & Wipers | 54 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 40 | 91 | 12 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 54 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 5 | 36 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 54 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 10 | 30 | 7 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 52 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 25 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 52 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 52 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 30 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 52 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 15 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Structure & Body | 53 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 35 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 53 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 20 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 52 | 5★ |
Prius years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Toyota Prius Index 100 · 2,822 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2010 Prius is the worst year in the lineup, with 2,822 complaints and the highest complaint index of 100. Brakes accounted for 70% of complaints, with a strikingly low median failure mileage of 5,000, and Engine issues made up 16% at 10,000 miles. Ten recall campaigns apply, more than any other year, including an inverter voltage recall and a curtain airbag weld recall. Owners frequently described brakes that lagged or failed to engage, sometimes with the car surging forward while braking over uneven surfaces or speed bumps.
2010 brakes problems →2010 engine problems →2010 electrical system problems →
2007 Toyota Prius Index 95 · 2,003 complaints · 4 recalls
With 2,003 complaints, the 2007 Prius has a complaint index of 95, the second worst year. Electrical System complaints accounted for 60% of the total at a median 50,000 miles, and Brakes made up 18% at 43,000 miles. Four recalls apply. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in side-impact crashes and sudden unintended acceleration, including one case where a car struck a curb, bushes, and an embankment after braking failed to stop it.
2007 electrical system problems →2007 brakes problems →2007 structure & body problems →
2008 Toyota Prius Index 90 · 1,497 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 Prius logged 1,497 complaints for a complaint index of 90, ranking third worst. Electrical System issues were 49% of complaints at a median 60,000 miles, and Brakes were 28% at 34,000 miles. Four recalls apply, including the steering shaft and fuel system pump campaigns. Owners reported airbags that did not deploy in side-impact crashes, including one fatal incident, plus brakes that failed to engage at low speeds despite dealer inspections finding no defect.
2008 electrical system problems →2008 brakes problems →2008 engine problems →
2006 Toyota Prius Index 85 · 1,439 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2006 Prius drew 1,439 complaints and a complaint index of 85, ranking fourth worst. Electrical System problems dominated at 71% of complaints with a median mileage of 50,000. Six recalls apply, covering steering shafts, fuel system water pumps, and tire labeling. Owners described smoke from the dashboard, cruise control acting unpredictably, and cars that continued moving forward despite the brake pedal being held, in one case striking a truck.
2006 electrical system problems →2006 brakes problems →2006 engine problems →
2009 Toyota Prius Index 80 · 502 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2009 Prius had 502 complaints and a complaint index of 80, the fifth worst year. Brakes led problem areas at 42% of complaints with a median mileage of just 16,000, followed by Electrical System at 32% and 80,000 miles. Six recalls apply, including one covering occupant detection sensors. Owners described brakes that did not respond when pressed, at both low speed in parking situations and around 25 mph, sometimes resulting in the vehicle striking curbs or other cars.
2009 brakes problems →2009 electrical system problems →2009 engine problems →
2005 Toyota Prius Index 75 · 1,051 complaints · 6 recalls
NHTSA logged 1,051 complaints for the 2005 Prius, giving it a complaint index of 75, the sixth worst of any Prius year. Electrical System issues made up 46% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 100,000, followed by Brakes at 28% and a median of 65,000 miles. Six recall campaigns apply, including a steering intermediate shaft recall and a fuel system water pump recall. Owners reported unintended acceleration events and brakes that failed to stop the car, including a crash into a gas station that led to a fire.
2005 electrical system problems →2005 brakes problems →2005 engine problems →
Most common Toyota Prius problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Brakes4,463 (39%)
- Electrical System4,306 (38%)
- Engine1,553 (14%)
- Other629 (5%)
- Structure & Body524 (5%)
- Airbags402 (4%)
- Fuel System370 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain360 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers226 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires208 (2%)
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 should I avoid?
- Avoid the 2005 through 2010 Toyota Prius years. The 2010 model has the highest complaint index at 100, driven mainly by brake complaints with a median failure mileage of just 5,000 miles.
- What is the best year for a Toyota Prius?
- The 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 Prius all carry a Best verdict, with complaint indexes of 15 or lower, far below the 2010 model's index of 100.
- Why does the 2010 Prius have so many complaints?
- NHTSA lists 2,822 complaints for the 2010 Prius, with Brakes making up 70% of them at a median failure mileage of only 5,000 miles, and it is tied to 10 recall campaigns, the most of any Prius year.
- Are early Prius models (2005-2010) unreliable overall?
- Compared to other Prius years, 2005 through 2010 rank worst based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, with Electrical System and Brakes issues dominating; complaint indexes range from 75 to 100 in that span.
- How many total complaints does NHTSA have on file for the Prius?
- NHTSA has logged 11,453 total complaints across all 21 Prius model years covered, with Brakes (39%) and Electrical System (38%) as the top overall problem areas.