2018 Toyota Prius
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 10 of 36 complaints (28%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 91 in 2017 to 36 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,100–1,200 | 1,100–1,200 | 1,100–1,200 | 1,100–1,250 | 1,100–1,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 52–56 | 52–56 | 52–56 | 50–56 | 46–56 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 54–58 / 50–53 | 54–58 / 50–53 | 54–58 / 50–53 | 52–58 / 48–53 | 48–58 / 43–53 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 158–170 | 158–171 | 158–170 | 158–176 | 158–193 | |
| Complaints filed | 154 | 91 | 36 | 30 | 14 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 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 2018 Toyota Prius have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2018 Toyota Prius?
Visibility & Lighting: 10 of 36 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota Prius get?
EPA rates it 52–56 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 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) | 170 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 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (1)
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.