2021 Toyota Prius reliability
The 2021 Toyota Prius has 6 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 1 per year. That is the fewest complaints per year among the 13 Prius years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
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The complaints owners file most often name Engine (2 of 6), then Fuel and propulsion system (2) and Electrical system (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.
The 2020 Prius has 14 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2022 has 24 complaints, 5 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.
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 2021 Toyota Prius. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (6 total)
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Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"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…"
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"The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 - 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The…"
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"The Lane keeping assist used in radar cruise control mode during some drive cycles will attempt to maintain the vehicle position to the far extreme of the lane and in some cases actively veer out of the lane. My safety…"
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"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."
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"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…"
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota PRIUS 5 HB AWD | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| 2021 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 all-wheel drive | 1.8L, 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Part-time four-wheel drive | 51 | 47 | 49 MPG | $1300 |
| Prius Eco | 1.8L, 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-wheel drive | 58 | 53 | 56 MPG | $1150 |
Specs and fitment
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Toyota Prius reliable?
The 2021 Toyota Prius has 6 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 1 per year. That is the fewest complaints per year among the 13 Prius years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2021 Toyota Prius?
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (2 of 6), then Fuel and propulsion system (2) and Electrical system (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.
Is the 2021 Toyota Prius more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2020 Prius has 14 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2022 has 24 complaints, 5 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.
Has the 2021 Toyota Prius been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2021 Toyota Prius.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Toyota Prius?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Prius with NHTSA.
What mpg does a 2021 Toyota Prius get?
EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Toyota Prius is 52.3 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.