Toyota Prius Engine Problems
Owners have filed 479 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Toyota Prius across 20 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (140). The words owners use most often: “oil consumption” (8% of reports).
- 479engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 20mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $4,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 46%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 39 of 479 complaints (8%)
- Check hybrid: mentioned in 36 of 479 complaints (8%)
- Water pump: mentioned in 30 of 479 complaints (6%)
- Head gasket: mentioned in 26 of 479 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Toyota Prius at $4,500, and half of them between $1,750 and $7,950.
Based on 28 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2022), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 354 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 479 complaints, 20 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 7 an injury.
Toyota Prius engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Prius | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2021 Prius | 2 | 33% | 5,200 |
| 2020 Prius | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2019 Prius | 6 | 20% | 61 |
| 2018 Prius | 3 | 8% | 49,141 |
| 2017 Prius | 12 | 13% | 19,700 |
| 2016 Prius | 17 | 11% | 40,100 |
| 2015 Prius | 8 | 5% | 10,000 |
| 2014 Prius | 17 | 8% | 63,000 |
| 2013 Prius | 37 | 9% | 76,000 |
| 2012 Prius | 31 | 7% | 77,000 |
| 2011 Prius | 47 | 9% | 114,740 |
| 2010 Prius | 140 | 5% | 101,700 |
| 2009 Prius | 19 | 4% | 80,500 |
| 2008 Prius | 49 | 3% | 103,320 |
| 2007 Prius | 37 | 2% | 112,000 |
| 2006 Prius | 25 | 2% | 131,000 |
| 2005 Prius | 15 | 1% | 120,000 |
| 2004 Prius | 9 | 1% | 105,675 |
| 2001 Prius | 2 | 1% | 160,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm):software; hybrid propulsion system
Model years: 2022
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may falsely detect an error and shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TB07/21TA07.
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter; engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Risk: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2001, 2002
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, due to improper molding of the resin body of the crankshaft position senor installed on the engine block, engine oil may penetrate the seal and enter the sensor wiring connector. The wire harness connector may not be sufficiently attached to the locking tab of the sensor wiring connector.
Risk: Engine oil inside the sensor wiring connector could cause expansion due to the heat of the engine and could deform the sensor wiring connector. The connector may become disconnected, which could cause the engine to stall while driving and not be able to be restarted increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on july 26, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I am writing to inform you about a very dangerous situation that occurred to me in June 2026 and that could pose a significant safety risk to other drivers who own 2016-17-18-19 Toyota Prius cars. The risk stems from a defective part (the catalytic converter) that Toyota Corporation knew about in…
Coolant leak into the engine, confirmed by the Toyota servicing center. This may be a common problem with the Toyota Prius, causing early engine failure from a design defect.
Coolant is leaking into the catalytic converter. This seems to be a common issue. Toyota issued a technical service bulletin on XXX covering this exactly. Some 2016â2019 Prius and 2017â2019 Prius Prime vehicles may exhibit low coolant level, MIL on with DTC P148F00, and/or poor heater…
Pulling out of a parking stall, when put vehicle in drive, the engine revved up and accelerated - vehicle crashed, the brakes did not work- there was skid marks. Floor mats are factory OEM were installed properly. I did not hit the accelerator and I am in good health and mind. I have driving for…
Unknown. There were a multitude of codes that appeared on the diagnostics causing problems with engine. The temperature, brake, tire sensor lights are all on. The cruise control is not working. White smoke emitting from tail pipe and engine. Main engine coolant leaking. Car overheating rapidly.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Priuss have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 479 owner complaints about engine for the Toyota Prius. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Prius engine?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Toyota Prius?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,500 (half paid between $1,750 and $7,950), from 28 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Toyota Prius?
The most frequent phrase is “oil consumption”, in 39 of 479 complaints, followed by “check hybrid” (36).
Other Toyota Prius problems
- Exterior Lighting problems (3,505)
- Service Brakes problems (2,039)
- Electrical System problems (1,595)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (1,594)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,050)
- Service Brakes, Electric problems (817)
- Structure problems (428)
- Air Bags problems (426)
See all Toyota Prius problems.