YearToAvoid

2018 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2018 Toyota Prius has a complaint index of 5, the lowest among the 21 model years tracked, and ranks 20th worst (meaning near the best). NHTSA lists 36 complaints, 1 recall, and 5 crashes for this year, earning a Best verdict relative to other Prius years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
5/100
#20 of 21 Prius years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
36
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
54
56 city / 51.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2018 Toyota Prius problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine8 (22%)
  2. Electrical System7 (19%)
  3. Structure & Body6 (17%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers6 (17%)
  5. Other5 (14%)
  6. Brakes4 (11%)
  7. Airbags3 (8%)
  8. Fuel System2 (6%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (6%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration where the brake pedal failed to stop the car, in one case leading to a crash into another vehicle.
  • Owners report the brake pedal failing to engage at low speed, causing the car to lurch forward into a fixed object like a garage.
  • Windshield cracks reportedly start small near the wiper area and spread across the entire glass within days or weeks, sometimes without an obvious impact.
  • One owner reported airbags failing to deploy in a side-impact collision at highway speed, resulting in injury.
  • A rear tire reportedly blew out on the freeway with no visible cause, preceded by a faint thudding noise at higher speeds.
  • One owner described a persistent high-pitched chirping noise from the brake pedal that continued after a brake booster replacement.
2018 Toyota Prius complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2018Oct 2018Jul 2019Dec 2019Mar 2021May 2023Mar 2025Mar 2026
36 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2018 to Aug 2026; peak Jul 2018 (3).

2018 Toyota Prius recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2018 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.

2018 compared with other Prius years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Good45154554
2017Good4091354
2018Best536154
2019Best1030352
2020Good2514052

All Toyota Prius years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Toyota Prius reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2018 Prius has a complaint index of 5, the lowest of all 21 model years tracked, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Prius years.
What problems does the 2018 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA lists 36 complaints for the 2018 Prius, with Engine issues as the top problem area (8 complaints, 22% share), followed by Electrical System (7 complaints) and Structure & Body (6 complaints).
Does the 2018 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 18V579000) for a portion of the engine wire harness near the hybrid Power Control Unit that could contact the cover and cause damage; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2018 Prius compare to other Prius model years?
The 2018 Prius ranks 20th worst out of 21 years by complaint index, well below higher-complaint years like 2010 (complaint index 100) and 2007 (complaint index 95).
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Toyota Prius?
The EPA rates the 2018 Prius at 54 mpg combined (56 city / 51.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,200.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.