2020 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2020 Toyota Prius ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 25 and a Good verdict. It has 14 complaints, no recalls, and its top problem area is brakes, which account for 36% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Prius years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 14
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 52
- 54 city / 50 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2020 Toyota Prius problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes5 (36%)
- Other5 (36%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (21%)
- Electrical System2 (14%)
- Engine2 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (14%)
- Airbags1 (7%)
- Fuel System1 (7%)
- Structure & Body1 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe brakes failing to respond or the car suddenly accelerating despite pressing the brake pedal, sometimes ending in a crash.
- One driver reported the vehicle lurching forward at low speed while turning into a parking space or driveway.
- Another owner said the vehicle jumped a curb after sudden acceleration during a slow right turn, with the brake pedal failing to stop it.
- A separate complaint described full-throttle acceleration while exiting a parking lot, followed by a dashboard warning about the engine, throttle, or transmission control.
- One owner reported the multi-information display losing speed, fuel, and odometer readouts.
- A tire sidewall blew out at low speed during a turn, with the dealer unable to determine the cause.
2020 Toyota Prius recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2020 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 54 MPG
- Highway
- 50 MPG
- Combined
- 52 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,250
- 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.
2020 compared with other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Prius rates Good, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 25 and only 14 complaints logged.
- Does the 2020 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2020 Toyota Prius.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Toyota Prius?
- Brakes are the top complaint area, making up 36% of complaints, including reports of the pedal failing to stop the car or the car accelerating unexpectedly.
- What year Toyota Prius should I avoid instead of 2020?
- Older years like 2007 and 2010 carry much higher complaint indexes of 95 and 100 with multiple recalls, making them far riskier than the 2020 model.
- How is the fuel economy on the 2020 Toyota Prius?
- The 2020 Prius gets an EPA-rated 52 mpg combined (54 city / 50 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,250.