2021 Toyota Prius Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 5,200miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 52 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 54 city / 50 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Toyota Prius (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2021 Toyota Prius. The part named most often is engine, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and brakes (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 5,200 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 118 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine2 33%
- Fuel system2 33%
- Brakes1 17%
- Electrical system1 17%
- Lane departure1 17%
- Other or unknown1 17%
- Wheels1 17%
Example complaints
Engine: “Carbon monoxide seeps into the passenger car but diller cannot find it and did not have tools to detect co level in the car. I can't use this car because was poisoned many times and after a second check-up, the level of co becomes higher so I can't drive the car without poisoning. Please help me. I am worrying to sell my car because other driver will get injury. This is the new car only 7000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11416154, filed 2021-05, 5,200 milesFuel system: “When i am going down it's charging when the charge reaches 6 from 8 the engine starts working and stop changing at that point and the power continues comes from engine only without the hybrid battery and there are no codes”
NHTSA complaint #11719876, filed 2026-02Brakes: “The car accelerated without my foot on the accelerator, brake did not respond, and I had to drive through grass and a rock-filled ditch until after about 10 seconds the car returned to my control.”
NHTSA complaint #11526893, filed 2023-06Mileage when problems were reported
67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 190 and 56,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Toyota Prius. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius · hatchback AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.7% risk |
| Prius · hatchback FWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.7% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2020: 4–5 stars overall; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 Toyota Prius version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 54 | 50 | 52 | $1,300 |
| Prius AWD | 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 51 | 47 | 49 | $1,350 |
| Prius Eco FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 58 | 53 | 56 | $1,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2021 Toyota Prius in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- DP22005Pedestrian alert soundsClosed · Jan 27, 2023
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 118 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037202Aug 20, 2026Engine. OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
- 11037201Aug 20, 2026Engine. This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.
- 11028726Jan 30, 2026Electrical system. OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- 11028722Jan 28, 2026Electrical system. Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest…
- 11028712Jan 7, 2026Other or unknown. Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and…
- 11020664Jun 17, 2025Engine. Some ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs. This can lead to accidental use of the wrong repair manual when diagnosing these type of DTCs.
- 11020658Jun 13, 2025Engine. Some ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs. This can lead to accidental use of the wrong repair manual when diagnosing these type of DTCs.
- 11020657Jun 13, 2025Electrical system. The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in…
- 11019332Apr 2, 2025Electrical system. To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the…
- 11018329Apr 2, 2025Electrical system. To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the…
Other model years of the Toyota Prius
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 1,100 | 1 | 5 | 54 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 16 | 12,450 | 2 | 5 | 52 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 27 | 3,000 | 4 | 5 | 54 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 21 | 15,205 | 4 | 5 | 54 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 24 | 34,600 | 1 | 5 | 52 | — | Rising |
| 2021 | 6 | 5,200 | 0 | 5 | 52 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 14 | 12,850 | 0 | 4–5 | 52 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 30 | 5,500 | 3 | 5 | 52 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 37 | 10,000 | 1 | 5 | 56 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 91 | 14,000 | 3 | 5 | 56 | 28 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2016 | 155 | 19,600 | 5 | 5 | 56 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 166 | 30,000 | 1 | 4 | 48 | 8 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2014 | 210 | 27,000 | 3 | 4 | 48 | 34 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2013 | 414 | 54,425 | 3 | 5 | 48 | 44 · Typical | Rising |
| 2012 | 424 | 50,000 | 6 | 4–5 | 48 | 80 · More | Rising |
| 2011 | 521 | 76,000 | 6 | 5 | 48 | 72 · More | Stable |
| 2010 | 2,823 | 6,419 | 10 | — | 50 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 502 | 30,000 | 6 | — | 46 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2008 | 1,497 | 51,176 | 4 | — | 46 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 2,004 | 50,050 | 4 | — | 46 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 1,439 | 50,000 | 6 | — | 46 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 1,051 | 76,854 | 6 | — | 46 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 610 | 72,436 | 6 | — | 46 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 99 | 71,000 | 1 | — | 41 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 167 | 70,200 | 2 | — | 41 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 165 | 60,574 | 3 | — | 41 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Toyota Prius model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2021 Toyota Prius as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Toyota Prius is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.
Has the 2021 Toyota Prius been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Toyota Prius do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Toyota Prius 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Prius get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Prius (Prius, 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 52 mpg combined, 54 city and 50 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Toyota Prius reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 5,200 miles and the middle half falls between 190 and 56,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.