Enter a Toyota Prius VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.
VIN prefixJTDJT2
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Toyota Prius
About the Toyota Prius
Toyota has sold the Prius in the US since the 2001 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 41 vehicle recall campaigns and 13,358 owner complaints. The 2010 has the most complaints of any model year (2,828). EPA rates it at 41–57 mpg combined, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years2001–2026
EPA classMidsize Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns41
Owner complaints13,358 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Toyota Prius at a glance
One generation in the data, 2001–2026: 41 NHTSA recall campaigns and 13,358 owner complaints.
NHTSA has 41 campaigns on file for Prius model years 2001–2026, and the 2010 shows up in more of them than any other year (10), ahead of the 2012 (8). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2010
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Toyota Prius owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Between them, the 2010 and 2007 hold 4,831 of the 13,358 complaints, or 36%. Tap any bar or generation.
13,358NHTSA complaints, 2001–2026
1,105mention a crash
77mention a fire
588injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearPrius: 13,358 complaints · most for the 2010 (2,828)
2001···2005····2010····2015····2020····2025·
Top complaint areas · Prius
Mentions in 13,358 complaints, 2001–2026.
Brakes4,855
Exterior lighting3,537
Electrical system1,761
Speed control / acceleration1,111
Engine and cooling743
Air bags471
Crashes 1,105Fires 77Injuries 588
2001–2026
NHTSA data summary
The 2010 is the outlier. On its own it has 2,828 of the ’s 13,358 complaints (21%), more than any other Prius model year, and owners across the generation name brakes most often (4,855 mentions), then exterior lighting (3,537).
What Prius owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2016–2022 (4th generation)
Complaints are fairly low for this generation. The top issue is a windshield that cracks easily, which CarComplaints ranks first for 2016 and which is also the most common NHTSA complaint for that year. CarComplaints also lists radio and navigation glitches. Recalls cover a hybrid system capacitor on some 2016 models that may not be bolted properly, an engine wire harness on 2016–2018 models that can wear and short circuit and a parking brake cable on 2016–2017 models that may disengage. [1][2]
2010–2015 (3rd generation)
The 2010 draws a very large number of complaints. Many NHTSA reports describe the brakes briefly losing grip over bumps or potholes, and Toyota recalled the 2010 to update ABS software after owners noted inconsistent brake feel on rough or slick roads. CarComplaints ranks excessive oil consumption first for 2010, followed by peeling paint and ABS and traction control lights coming on. Recalls also cover inverter parts on 2010–2014 models that can overheat or cause the hybrid system to shut down and stall. [3][4]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the ABS software and inverter recalls on 2010–2014 models and the wire harness recall on 2016–2018 models.
Ask how much oil the engine uses between changes.
On the drive, brake over rough pavement and feel for any loss of grip, watch for warning lights and check the windshield for cracks or chips.
EPA lists 80 Prius versions for model years 2001–2026 (hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 50 g/mi, for the 2025 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
Prius2001–2026
41–57 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 95–133 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 50–217 g/mi
2025
57combined MPG
155CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$1,200EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
8/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
HybridPlug-in hybrid
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
Prius vs Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2001–2026. NHTSA lists 41 recall campaigns for the Prius, while the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata have 63 each. Pick a range to compare.
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Toyota Prius VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on a Prius
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Prius carries its VIN at the base of the driver's side windshield and on the door jamb sticker. On later Prius generations, an additional stamp appears near the front strut tower in the engine bay. As a hybrid, some generations also carry a secondary label near the high-voltage battery tray under the rear seat.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Toyota Prius VIN questions
Which Toyota Prius model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2010 leads with 2,828, ahead of the 2007 (2,003) and 2008 (1,497). Those first two alone make up 36% of the 13,358 Prius complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Toyota Prius had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 41 vehicle campaigns for model years 2001–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.
Which Toyota Prius recalls are high risk?
16V-672 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 16V-396 and 18V-579. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
What fuel economy does the Toyota Prius get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2001–2026 Prius at 41–57 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (95–133 MPGe on gas and electricity) (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Toyota Prius compare with the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata on recalls?
For 2001–2026 models the Prius has 41 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Accord has 63, the Hyundai Sonata 63. Complaints run 13,358, 18,713 and 16,233 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
What crash rating does the Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Prius 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.
