2018 Toyota Prius Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#15 most-complained of 16 Prius years
The 2018 Toyota Prius ranks 15th of 16 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 7 and a "Best" verdict. It has 36 complaints, 1 recall, and no fires reported, making it one of the more trouble-free Prius years.
- Complaints
- 36
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 54
- 56 city / 51.5 hwy
Top 2018 Toyota Prius problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine8 (22%)
- Electrical System7 (19%)
- Structure & Body6 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (17%)
- Other5 (14%)
- Brakes4 (11%)
- Airbags3 (8%)
- Fuel System2 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners describe unintended acceleration where the brake pedal failed to respond and the vehicle continued moving forward, in one case leading to a crash into another vehicle.
- Some owners report the brake pedal not engaging at low speed, causing the car to lurch forward into a fixed object.
- Electrical faults triggered check engine and hybrid system warning lights, sometimes tied to a failing 12V battery.
- Owners report the automatic high beams dimming or failing to brighten intermittently, with the dealer confirming the issue could be reproduced.
- A tire blowout occurred on the freeway with no impact cause, accompanied by a faint thudding noise at highway speed.
- One owner reported the trunk opening at slow speed and failing to stay open, with no repair completed by the dealer.
2018 Toyota Prius recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2018 Prius has a complaint index of 7, the second-lowest among the 16 model years covered, and carries a "Best" verdict relative to other Prius years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2018 Toyota Prius?
- Engine complaints make up 22% of reports for this year, the largest single category, followed by Electrical System issues at 19%.
- Does the 2018 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2018 Prius, campaign 18V579000, covering an engine wire harness near the hybrid Power Control Unit that could contact its cover.
- How does the 2018 Prius compare to other model years?
- The 2018 Prius ranks 15th worst out of 16 years tracked, far below the 2010 model's complaint index of 100 and close to the 2019 model's index of 13.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Toyota Prius?
- The 2018 Prius gets an EPA-rated 54 mpg combined (56 city / 51.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,200.