2026 Toyota Prius Problems
Compared with other Toyota Prius years
Too new to compare
- Model years are compared once their first three years of complaints are in; the 2026 can be compared from 2029.
- Most reported part: Electrical system (2 complaints).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 1,100miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 3 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 54 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid AWD · 53 city / 54 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2026 Toyota Prius (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2026 Toyota Prius. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (2) and air bags (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 1,100 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 25 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switches/knobs/buttons 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.
- Electrical system2 33%
- Exterior lighting2 33%
- Air bags1 17%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The two outside rear view mirrors on the 2026 Prius have an adjustment problem. When attempting to adjust them they will freeze (won't move), move intermittently, and jerk. The Toyota dealer told me that it is a known problem and all 2026 Priuses have the same problem. He further informed me that Toyota is aware of the problem. He went to another new Prius on the dealership lot and found that its outside rear view mirrors do the very same thing. This is a serious safety issue and the manufacturer should address and remedy it. Toyota nor the dealership have a fix for this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11701355, filed 2025-11Exterior lighting: “The 2026 Toyota Prius illuminates a road distance on an unlight, rural road of 110 feet on low beam. Parked at the beginning of one white dashed center line, the low beams illuminate two additional white dashed lines. Road lines are a standard 12 ft painted line with a 37 ft interval between lines for a total of 110ft of illuminated road. The average stopping distance of the Toyota Prius traveling at 55mph is ~260 feet. I am able to see less than half the stopping distance of the vehicle. I have hit a deer twice because of the lack of road illumination. …”
NHTSA complaint #11732534, filed 2026-04Air bags: “I was sideswiped and then t-boned by a semi truck on a highway, then spun out into the median. None of the airbags deployed. Driver's side incurred a lot of damage and the car is presumed to be declared totaled”
NHTSA complaint #11766442, filed 2026-09Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “- Windshield washer fluid reservoir level going low. It is available for inspection. - Safety concern: No liquid to wipe off windshield particles, dirt that may hinder driver visibility. - The issue was brought up to Jaymee of South Coast Toyota, Costa Mesa CA when Prius was taken for delivery May 16,2026. Request to top off made but not performed by dealer on same date. Per Jaymee, dealer top off liquid. - Personally filled reservoir 3 times only to see fluid level to go down. No liquid noticed underneath the Prius. …”
NHTSA complaint #11742600, filed 2026-06Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,100 and 1,100 miles.
Complaints by year filed
This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2026 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 | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.2% risk |
| Prius · hatchback FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.2% risk |
| Prius Phev · hatchback FWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.2% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2026 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2025: 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 2026 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 | 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 57 | 56 | 57 | $1,200 |
| Prius AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 53 | 54 | 54 | $1,250 |
| Prius AWD XLE/LTD | 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 49 | 50 | 49 | $1,350 |
| Prius XLE/LTD FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 52 | 52 | 52 | $1,300 |
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
- 26V049000Jan 28, 2026Electrical system › Wiring › Switches/knobs/buttonsCovers: Toyota Prius 2023–2026, Prius Prime 2023–2024, Prius Plug-In Hybrid 2025–2026
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open…
Recall details for the 2026 Toyota Prius → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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. 25 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11034826Jun 25, 2026Other or unknown. 2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may also utilize retainers for passenger…
- 11034819Jun 18, 2026Other or unknown. During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle…
- 11034813Jun 10, 2026Other or unknown. A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life. These conditions include storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, and battery load…
- 11034812Jun 10, 2026Other or unknown. Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition. The following guidelines should be performed to minimize vehicle component/part degradation due to extendedvehicle…
- 11033418May 27, 2026Other or unknown. Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying our new car customers. Customer feedback indicates the following areas deserve special attention when performing PDS: • Careful inspection…
- 11029890Feb 12, 2026Other or unknown. OBSOLETE NOTICE February 12, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0005-26.
- 11029879Feb 6, 2026Other or unknown. A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life. These conditions include storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, and battery load…
- 11029878Feb 6, 2026Other or unknown. OBSOLETE NOTICE February 6, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0009-25.
- 11029876Feb 5, 2026Other or unknown. During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle…
- 11029872Feb 3, 2026Other or unknown. OBSOLETE NOTICE February 03, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0003-26.
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 | 522 | 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 | 1,440 | 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 2026 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2026 Toyota Prius as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2026 Toyota Prius is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 2.
Has the 2026 Toyota Prius been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2026 Toyota Prius do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2026 Toyota Prius 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 3 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 2026 Toyota Prius get?
The EPA rates the 2026 Toyota Prius (Prius AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 54 mpg combined, 53 city and 54 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2026 Toyota Prius reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 1,100 miles and the middle half falls between 1,100 and 1,100 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.