2017 Toyota Prius reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 Toyota Prius holds 91 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 21 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Prius years here — over the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Wiring, Temporary spare tire, and Parking brake.

2016 Toyota Prius — Photo by Kārlis Dambrāns from Latvia, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (17 of 91), then Service brakes (14) and Speed control (13). Those filings include 12 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Prius has 179 complaints, 34 per year, and the 2018 has 36 complaints, 7 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Toyota Prius. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall electrical system, wiring 2018-09-05 · NHTSA campaign 18V579000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall tires, temporary spare tire 2017-05-02 · NHTSA campaign 17V295000

Summary Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

Remedy Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.

Recall Parking brake 2016-10-14 · NHTSA campaign 16V741000

Summary Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.

Remedy Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent the cable from disengaging, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G01.

Complaints by component (91 total)

Visibility and wipers

Service brakes

Speed control

Engine

Fuel and propulsion system

Electrical system

Steering

Structure

Powertrain

Wheels

Air bags

Seats

Exterior lighting

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Engine and engine cooling

Forward collision avoidance

Seat belts

Suspension

Tires

Show 11 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The catalytic converter heat exchanger failed internally, causing coolant to leak into the exhaust system. Symptoms included white smoke from exhaust and coolant loss with no visible ground leak. This is a documented…"
Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-05-19
"Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Toyota Prius. It was discovered when the contact listed the vehicle for sale that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was as a private sale. At the time of the…"
Electrical system · filed 2025-12-19
"During hot temperatures and after coming to a full stop, the car stalls/hesitates significantly (5-6seconds) when pushing the gas pedal. The car eventually proceeds but the issue reoccurs. It can only be intermittently…"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-07-18
"Standing at a red light and someone rear ended"
Structure, Unknown or other · filed 2025-07-18
"The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-30 MPH, the vents were blowing out cold air. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was adding coolant to…"
Engine and engine cooling · filed 2025-02-27

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2017 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Prius	1.8L, 4-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-wheel drive	54	50	52 MPG	$1250
Prius Eco	1.8L, 4-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-wheel drive	58	53	56 MPG	$1150

Specs and fitment

4th generation, 2016–2022

Body styles Liftback

Oil SAE 0W-16 (SAE 0W-20 may be used temporarily if 0W-16 is unavailable; replace with 0W-16 at the next oil change) , 4.4 qt capacity

Tire size 195/65R15, P215/45R17

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-579 covers 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. An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Dealers inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found, and install a protective sleeve or protective tape to prevent future damage.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Toyota Prius Next year 2018 Toyota Prius See every Toyota Prius model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Toyota Prius reliable?

What are common problems with a 2017 Toyota Prius?

Is the 2017 Toyota Prius more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Prius has 179 complaints, 34 per year, and the 2018 has 36 complaints, 7 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Toyota Prius been recalled?

The 2017 Toyota Prius has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Toyota Prius?

Owners have filed 91 complaints about the 2017 Toyota Prius with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Toyota Prius get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Toyota Prius is 54 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is a 2018 Toyota Prius?

4th generation (US model years 2016-2022).

What oil does a Toyota Prius hybrid take?

US manuals for recent Prius liftbacks specify about 4.4 qt with filter; viscosity is SAE 0W-20 on 2012-2015 models and SAE 0W-16 (with 0W-20 as a temporary substitute) on 2016+ models.

When did the fifth-generation Prius start in the US?

Fifth generation (XW60) US model years begin with 2023.