2017 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2017 Toyota Prius has a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a 'Good' verdict relative to other Prius years. It has 91 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Prius years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 91
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 54
- 56 city / 51.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2017 Toyota Prius problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden fires starting near the shift changer or touch screen area while the car was parked and off.
- Some describe the brake pedal being depressed while rear wheels seized, causing loss of control and a crash.
- Several report rapid, unintended acceleration where pressing the brakes or turning off the ignition did not stop the car.
- Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming difficult to turn at speed, leading to loss of control.
- Multiple complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in rear-end or side-impact crashes, resulting in injuries.
- One owner reported sparking and a possible fuel leak that ignited a tire while driving on the highway.
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?
- Compared to other Prius model years, the 2017 is rated Good, with a complaint index of 40 and 91 complaints, ranking 13th worst out of 21 years tracked.
- What problems does the 2017 Toyota Prius have?
- The top problem area is the Engine, making up 27% of complaints, followed by Visibility & Wipers at 19% and Brakes at 15%. Median mileage at failure for engine issues was 15,140 miles.
- Does the 2017 Toyota Prius have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Prius, covering the Electrical System (engine wire harness), Suspension/Tires (spare tire pressure), and Brakes (parking brake cable clip). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Toyota Prius should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2005 through 2010 are the Avoid years for the Prius, with 2010 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2017 model does not fall into that group.
- How does the 2017 Prius compare to the 2018 Prius?
- The 2018 Prius has a lower complaint index of 5 and a Best verdict, versus the 2017's complaint index of 40 and Good verdict, making 2018 the lower-risk choice between the two.