2007 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2007 Toyota Prius carries a complaint index of 95, ranking 2nd worst out of 21 model years, and is rated Avoid. NHTSA lists 2003 complaints, 4 recalls, and 124 crashes, with Electrical System issues making up 60% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Prius years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,003
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 124
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 70
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 46
- 48 city / 45 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 70 / 1
Top 2007 Toyota Prius problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System1,210 (60%)
- Brakes362 (18%)
- Structure & Body214 (11%)
- Engine172 (9%)
- Other90 (4%)
- Airbags50 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain41 (2%)
- Steering33 (2%)
- Fuel System30 (1%)
- Visibility & Wipers25 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash reports, including side-impact and rear-end collisions, sometimes with the vehicle towed for inspection afterward.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while braking or decelerating at low speed, in some cases resulting in the vehicle striking curbs, trees, or other vehicles.
- Some drivers report the brake pedal going to the floor without slowing the car, even during hard braking with no ABS engagement.
- Seat belts reportedly failed to lock or restrain occupants during crashes, allowing drivers to strike the steering column or head rest.
- One report describes the vehicle rolling backward downhill and accelerating to 35 mph despite the brake pedal being depressed.
2007 Toyota Prius recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V537000Nov 14, 2012Steering669,705 vehicles
Steering:gear box:shaft sector
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 12V536000Nov 14, 2012Fuel System350,662 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Risk: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 10V036000Feb 3, 2010Other153,418 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
2007 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 48 MPG
- Highway
- 45 MPG
- Combined
- 46 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2007 compared with other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 Toyota Prius reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2007 Prius a complaint index of 95, the 2nd worst among 21 model years of the Prius, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Prius years.
- What problems does the 2007 Toyota Prius have?
- Electrical System complaints make up 60% of reports (1,210 complaints), followed by Brakes at 18% (362 complaints) and Structure & Body at 11% (214 complaints). Median mileage at failure for electrical complaints is 50000.
- Does the 2007 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2007 Prius, covering steering, fuel system (electric water pump), a tire label compliance issue, and accelerator pedal entrapment.
- How does the 2007 Prius compare to other Prius years?
- The 2007 Prius (index 95) ranks worse than most other Avoid-rated years like 2005 (75), 2006 (85), 2008 (90), and 2009 (80), but slightly better than 2010, which has the worst index at 100.