2017 Toyota Prius
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 19 of 91 complaints (21%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 154 in 2016 to 91 in 2017.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,250–1,300 | 1,100–1,200 | 1,100–1,200 | 1,100–1,200 | 1,100–1,250 | |
| Combined MPG | 48–50 | 52–56 | 52–56 | 52–56 | 50–56 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 50–51 / 46–49 | 54–58 / 50–53 | 54–58 / 50–53 | 54–58 / 50–53 | 52–58 / 48–53 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 185 | 158–170 | 158–171 | 158–170 | 158–176 | |
| Complaints filed | 169 | 154 | 91 | 36 | 30 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 30 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Toyota Prius have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2017 Toyota Prius?
Visibility & Lighting: 19 of 91 NHTSA complaints (21%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Toyota Prius get?
EPA rates it 52–56 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Toyota Prius?
EPA estimates $1,100–$1,200 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 54 mpg (low) | 50 mpg (low) | 52 mpg (low) | $1,200 (high) | 171 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 58 mpg (high) | 53 mpg (high) | 56 mpg (high) | $1,100 (low) | 158 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 13 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 18V579000 · Sep 5, 2018
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE · Campaign 17V295000 · May 4, 2017
Defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
PARKING BRAKE · Campaign 16V741000 · Oct 14, 2016
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
Consequence: If the parking brake cable disengages from the mechanism and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent the cable from disengaging, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G01.