2026 Toyota Prius
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 4 of 9 complaints (44%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Visibility & Lighting include more crash reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 18 in 2025 to 9 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2026 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,100–1,250 | 1,100–1,300 | 1,100–1,250 | 1,150–1,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 49–57 | 48–57 | 49–57 | 48–55 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 49–57 / 50–56 | 49–57 / 47–56 | 49–57 / 50–56 | 51–59 / 45–50 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 155–179 | 155–179 | 155–179 | 148–183 | |
| Complaints filed | 24 | 18 | 9 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
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 2026 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 2026 Toyota Prius?
Electrical: 4 of 9 NHTSA complaints (44%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Toyota Prius get?
EPA rates it 49–57 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Toyota Prius?
EPA estimates $1,100–$1,250 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 53 mpg | 54 mpg | 54 mpg | $1,150 | 163 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 49 mpg (low) | 50 mpg (low) | 49 mpg (low) | $1,250 (high) | 179 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 52 mpg | 52 mpg | 52 mpg | $1,200 | 169 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 57 mpg (high) | 56 mpg (high) | 57 mpg (high) | $1,100 (low) | 155 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 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)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:SWITCHES/KNOBS/BUTTONS · Campaign 26V049000 · Jan 29, 2026
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.
Consequence: A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB03 and 26TA03. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 24V274. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed.