VehicleVerdict

2007 Toyota Prius problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 2,451 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 11.7 times the median Prius year — the 2007 model ranks #2 of 27 Prius years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 100 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: lighting issues account for 44% of all reports (1,069 of 2,451), far ahead of brakes at 340.

2,451

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

191

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

100

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Prius years?

Prius NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted3,482 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 215 complaints2002: 201 complaints2003: 123 complaints2004: 737 complaints2005: 1,298 complaints2006: 1,690 complaints2007: 2,451 complaints2008: 1,894 complaints2009: 644 complaints2010: 3,482 complaints2011: 662 complaints2012: 537 complaints2013: 533 complaints2014: 273 complaints2015: 210 complaints2016: 215 complaints2017: 127 complaints2018: 45 complaints2019: 51 complaints2020: 23 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 28 complaints2023: 25 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 28 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Prius NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prius years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Toyota Prius problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting1,06944%
Brakes34014%
Electrical System32313%
Body & Structure1868%
Speed Control1245%
Other853%
Airbags542%
Engine542%
Latches & Locks422%
Transmission422%
Steering331%
Fuel System321%
Visibility & Wipers271%
Tires & Wheels161%
Seat Belts110%
Suspension80%
Driver Assistance20%
Child Seat10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seats10%

Does the 2007 Toyota Prius have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V536000Fuel SystemNovember 14, 2012 · 350,662 units

Defect

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.

Consequence

The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

12V537000SteeringNovember 14, 2012 · 669,705 units

Defect

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.

Consequence

Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

09V388000Speed ControlOctober 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Both headlights failed, one earlier, then the second, on a cloudy night on an unlit, deserted rural stretch of interstate highway. Driver started slowing down from 60 mph, looking for a place to pull over. An accident resulted--only the defective car was involved. No airbag was deployed. The driver…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 12, 2023 · crash

“ I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ABOUT 20 OR 25 MPH THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE NOTHING HAPPENED, MY CAR CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE TIME WAS ABOUT 2:30PM JULY 10/2012 THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED BY A TOYOTA DEALER ON JUNE 28TH/2012 FOR THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 10, 2012 · crash

“JUST COMPLETED A LEFT TURN BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE THEN SLOWED TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN INTO A GAS STATION ACROSS THE ROAD. I WAS GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES TO KEEP MY FOLLOWING DISTANCE (10FT, TRAVELING ABOUT 8MPH). THE OTHER CAR SUDDENLY APPLIED THE BRAKES HARDER TO TURN,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 12, 2008 · crash

“ I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ABOUT 20 OR 25 MPH THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE NOTHING HAPPENED, MY CAR CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE TIME WAS ABOUT 2:30PM JULY 10/2012 THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED BY A TOYOTA DEALER ON JUNE 28TH/2012 FOR THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 10, 2012 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE PARKING HER VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER THE CEMENT CURB AND THEN CRASHED INTO A STORE-FRONT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NECK AND SHOULDERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THROUGH HER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 11, 2009 · crash

2007 Toyota Prius — common questions

Is the 2007 Toyota Prius reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 2,451 complaints put the 2007 model at #2 of 27 Prius years. It is one of the Prius years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 Prius problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (1,069 complaints), brakes (340 complaints), electrical system (323 complaints).

Does the 2007 Toyota Prius have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Toyota Prius. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2007 Toyota Prius under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Prius years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Prius years to avoid are 2010, 2007, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2011, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. The cleanest record among Prius years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.