2017 Toyota Prius Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Prius years
The 2017 Toyota Prius has a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 91 complaints, 3 recalls, and Engine as the top problem area with 27% share of complaints.
- Complaints
- 91
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 12 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 54
- 56 city / 51.5 hwy
Top 2017 Toyota Prius problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine25 (27%)
- Visibility & Wipers17 (19%)
- Brakes14 (15%)
- Electrical System12 (13%)
- Fuel System12 (13%)
- Other11 (12%)
- Structure & Body10 (11%)
- Steering7 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration from a stop or low speed that the brakes could not overcome, in some cases ending in a crash.
- Owners describe brake pedal application failing to stop the vehicle, including one case where the rear wheels seemed to seize and the car crashed into a ditch.
- Some owners report the vehicle rolled forward while idled at a stop without a warning from the pre-collision or brake assist system.
- In two rear-end crash cases owners say the airbags did not deploy despite significant impact and injury to a passenger.
- One owner reported a spark and fuel leak near a rear tire on the highway accompanied by a burning smell, requiring the vehicle to be pulled off the road.
2017 Toyota Prius recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V579000Sep 5, 2018Electrical System192,347 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.
- NHTSA 17V295000May 2, 2017Suspension, Wheels & Tires409 vehicles
Tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Risk: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
- NHTSA 16V741000Oct 14, 2016Brakes91,585 vehicles
Parking brake
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
Risk: If the parking brake cable disengages from the mechanism and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent the cable from disengaging, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G01.
2017 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 56 MPG
- Highway
- 51.5 MPG
- Combined
- 54 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,200
- 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.
2017 compared with other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Toyota Prius reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Prius a Complaint Index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among the 16 model years with data. It has fewer complaints than most earlier Prius years but more than most 2018-and-newer years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2017 Toyota Prius?
- Engine complaints lead with 25 complaints, 27% of the total, including 5 crashes, and a median failure mileage of 15,140 miles.
- Does the 2017 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Prius: an electrical system engine wire harness issue, a spare tire pressure inspection, and a parking brake cable clip fix. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2017 Prius compare to other Prius years?
- The 2017 Prius, with a Complaint Index of 53, is worse than 2018-2025 model years (all rated Good or Best with indexes of 0-47) but better than 2010-2016 Prius years, which range from Complaint Index 60 to 100 and carry Avoid or Caution verdicts.
- What mileage do 2017 Prius problems tend to show up at?
- The overall median mileage at failure is 14,000 miles, with Engine complaints at 15,140 miles and Electrical System complaints occurring much earlier at 5,000 miles.