Toyota Prius years to avoid
The Toyota Prius years to avoid are 2010, 2007, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2011, 2009, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2015 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2000 is the cleanest year on record.
15,589
Total complaints
35
Recall campaigns
2000–2026
Years covered
12
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Prius years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | High complaints + open investigation | 3,484 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 2,451 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 1,894 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 1,690 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 1,298 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 737 | |
| 2011 | High complaints + open investigation | 664 | |
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 644 | |
| 2013 | High complaints + open investigation | 546 | |
| 2012 | High complaints + open investigation | 544 | |
| 2014 | Open safety investigation | 281 | |
| 2015 | Open safety investigation | 216 |
Every Prius year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 28 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 31 | 4 | |
| 2023 | 26 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 31 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 23 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 54 | 3 | |
| 2018 | 46 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 127 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 215 | 5 | |
| 2015avoid | 216 | 1 | |
| 2014avoid | 281 | 3 | |
| 2013avoid | 546 | 3 | |
| 2012avoid | 544 | 6 | |
| 2011avoid | 664 | 6 | |
| 2010avoid | 3,484 | 10 | |
| 2009avoid | 644 | 6 | |
| 2008avoid | 1,894 | 4 | |
| 2007avoid | 2,451 | 4 | |
| 2006avoid | 1,690 | 6 | |
| 2005avoid | 1,298 | 6 | |
| 2004avoid | 737 | 6 | |
| 2003 | 123 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 201 | 2 | |
| 2001 | 215 | 3 | |
| 2000 | 4 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Toyota Prius years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Prius years to avoid are 2010, 2007, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2011, 2009, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2015. The cleanest year on record is 2000.
What is the best year for the Toyota Prius?
By complaint volume, 2000 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Prius years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Toyota Prius have?
Across all model years, the Prius has 35 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 15,589 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.