VehicleVerdict

2019 Toyota Prius problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2019 Toyota Prius sits mid-pack among Prius years: 51 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 213, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (11), other (7), and engine (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

51

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Prius years?

Prius NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 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, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prius years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Toyota Prius problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1122%
Other714%
Engine612%
Driver Assistance612%
Airbags48%
Electrical System48%
Speed Control48%
Tires & Wheels48%
Transmission24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Fuel System12%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 2019 Toyota Prius have recalls?

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

19V876000Electrical SystemDecember 11, 2019 · 3,751 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Prius vehicles. An electrical short circuit in the combination meter could occur, causing the speedometer, the odometer, and the fuel gauge to go blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Consequence

A blank main display will not show important information like vehicle speed or fuel level. Driving with an inoperative display can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flash memory chip (ROM) production date, and if necessary, replace it along with the combination meter circuit board, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 19TA21 and 19TB21.

19V544000BrakesJuly 24, 2019 · 6,925 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence

Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.

19V244000OtherMarch 27, 2019 · 3,634 units

Defect

Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. DRIVER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. ANTI COLLISION BREAK SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, VEHICLE SLID FOR 20FT INTO A STOPPED FOR. 2019 PRIUS WAS GOING 35 MPH BEFORE RISK OF COLLISION WAS REALIZED. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DONE ON PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 3, 2020 · crash

“TOYOTA PRIUS 2019 CAN ONLY CHANGE ITS MAP MODE FREEWAY EXIT INSET WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. I MUST TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO FIND AND PRESS THE CORRECT BUTTONS ON THE NAVIGATION SCREEN. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALL GENERATION 4 PRIUS'S. YOU CANNOT CHANGE IT WHEN PARKED. THE PICTURE SHOWS THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 10, 2019

“On Saturday [XXX], while shifting to reverse in a back alley to back up slowly, the car engine suddenly and loudly revved and shot backwards at accelerating speed. I slammed on brakes which did not respond at all, thus forcing me to attempt to shift gears which also failed to stop the acceleration.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 17, 2024 · crash

“VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. DRIVER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. ANTI COLLISION BREAK SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, VEHICLE SLID FOR 20FT INTO A STOPPED FOR. 2019 PRIUS WAS GOING 35 MPH BEFORE RISK OF COLLISION WAS REALIZED. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DONE ON PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 3, 2020 · crash

“I was idling at a parking space and went to turn off my car. The vehicle surged forward and the BRAKE sign came on. I pushed my brake to the floor and nothing happened. I was moving toward a brick wall so I put in in reverse and the car surged backwards. The BRAKE sign came on and I pushed the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 8, 2024 · crash

2019 Toyota Prius — common questions

Is the 2019 Toyota Prius reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 51 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Prius year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2019 Prius problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (11 complaints), other (7 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 2019 Toyota Prius have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Toyota Prius. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2019 Toyota Prius under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.

How safe is the 2019 Toyota Prius?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Toyota Prius earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.