Toyota Prius: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
12,525 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Prius, model years 2000 to 2026. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2004 (engine 9.8×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2019, 2018, 2017. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 PriusFEW REPORTS | 4 | — | 0 | |
| 2001 Prius | 165 | quiet: 6 of 19 | 3 | |
| 2002 Prius | 167 | — | 2 | |
| 2003 PriusFEW REPORTS | 99 | quiet: 4 of 19 | 1 | |
| 2004 Prius | 610 | engine 9.8× | 6 | |
| 2005 Prius | 1,051 | — | 6 | |
| 2006 Prius | 1,440 | — | 6 | |
| 2007 Prius | 2,004 | — | 4 | |
| 2008 Prius | 1,496 | — | 4 | |
| 2009 Prius | 502 | — | 6 | |
| 2010 Prius | 2,822 | — | 10 | |
| 2011 Prius | 522 | — | 6 | |
| 2012 Prius | 425 | — | 6 | |
| 2013 Prius | 414 | — | 3 | |
| 2014 Prius | 211 | — | 3 | |
| 2015 Prius | 166 | quiet: 7 of 19 | 1 | |
| 2016 Prius | 156 | quiet: 5 of 19 | 5 | |
| 2017 PriusFEW REPORTS | 90 | quiet: 3 of 19 | 3 | |
| 2018 PriusFEW REPORTS | 37 | quiet: 2 of 19 | 1 | |
| 2019 PriusFEW REPORTS | 30 | quiet: 1 of 19 | 3 | |
| 2020 PriusFEW REPORTS | 14 | — | 0 | |
| 2021 PriusFEW REPORTS | 6 | — | 0 | |
| 2022 PriusFEW REPORTS | 24 | — | 1 | |
| 2023 PriusFEW REPORTS | 21 | — | 4 | |
| 2024 PriusFEW REPORTS | 27 | — | 4 | |
| 2025 PriusFEW REPORTS | 16 | — | 2 | |
| 2026 PriusFEW REPORTS | 6 | — | 1 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Toyota models
Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 200120022004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016