Toyota Prius Complaints (2017)

133 consumer complaints on file.

#11747144June 29, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact used a portable diagnostic machine to diagnosed the vehicle; however, no fault codes displayed. The contact stated that the failure had not reoccurred. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738755May 19, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The catalytic converter heat exchanger failed internally, causing coolant to leak into the exhaust system. Symptoms included white smoke from exhaust and coolant loss with no visible ground leak. This is a documented factory defect per Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0135-19 affecting 2016-2019 Prius models. Toyota has denied warranty coverage despite the vehicle was originally bought & spent its entire prior operational life registered in New York, a state covered under Toyota's full 15-year/150,000-mile emissions warranty. Defect was confirmed by an authorized Toyota dealership, in PA. Vehicle had approximately 83,104 miles at time of diagnosis. Manufacturer denied coverage and is forcing the customer (me) to pay a huge amount for this very well known & defective case. MOST IMPORTANTLY ITS dangerous and unsafe for all the cars our there too, since it is very well known that at a certain point this will happen, but despite TOYOTA never sent a RECALL. Due to this, engine light goes on & off, refrigerant is flammable and leaks in the exhaust pipe happens with this specific case, which ultimately could catch on fire, while the vehicle is moving or stalling. Lots of white smoke comes out of the car that directly impact the environmental aspects, and above all, people owning such vehicle, will be running into this issue, which will 100% put the safety of owner and anyone close in proximity to their vehicle at RISK. PLEASE ADD RECALL WITHOUT CAP for ALL SUCH TOYATA PRIUS due to flammable refrigerant leak inside the car engine components, and proven via strong white smoke coming out of exhaust that has the potentially to put the entire car on fire, specifically.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724443March 15, 2026
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
In the 2017 Prius Prime when the car switches from Electric power to gas the car frequently fails to allow you to accelerate. It is like you are stuck in neutral on the freeway, taking your foot off of the acceleration pedal and pushing it down doesn't always fix the issue. The accelerator foot pedal can be completely down to the floorboard as you are losing speed. The safety issue is that you are losing speed, and on the freeway and the car doesn't recover losing some control. I have taken the car to the Toyota delearship and when taken in that say it is a software update, but this continues to happen. There is no real notification when this will occur as the battery milage switchover is often misreported by the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706080December 19, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Toyota Prius. It was discovered when the contact listed the vehicle for sale that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was as a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 126,611. The potential purchaser provided a CARFAX report that recorded the mileage on 11/6/2024 at 225,810.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705045December 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2017 Toyota Prius Prime advanced. It has the large infotaiment screen that is where I have to access many items. Often, seemingly randomly, the screen shuts down and reboots itself. During the time it is rebooting I do not have any access to the controls. It gives no warning when it is going to reboot. I have seen other Toyota recalls for a similar problem on the RAV4 vehicles and I wonder if it is related.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697127November 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The dealer sold original Toyota Truestart H4, 12 Volt battery failed after 2 years and 9 months. The battery is warranted for 84 months/7 years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674665July 18, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
During hot temperatures and after coming to a full stop, the car stalls/hesitates significantly (5-6seconds) when pushing the gas pedal. The car eventually proceeds but the issue reoccurs. It can only be intermittently reproduced and no codes are shown on the car dashboard. Mechanics are unable to identify the source of the issue so it cannot be resolved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674421July 18, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Standing at a red light and someone rear ended
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667467June 17, 2025
ENGINE
Toyota has a very well known issue with head gasket failures right around 140k miles that they refuse to address. This is my second Prius and my second failure right at 140k miles. They refuse to acknowledge it, but the advisors in the service department say that's their "bread and butter." They repair bad head gaskets on priuses for $5k all day long. Toyota needs to do right by their clients.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661243May 15, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Background Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement. Customer Support Program Coverage Details This Customer Support Program provides coverage for involved vehicles with the original factory Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint. The covered condition may occur when sunlight over time degrades the adhesion between the factory-applied paint primer coat layer and the base metal electrodeposition layer causing the paint to peel from the metal body panel. If the condition is verified, the specific panel affected will be repainted. · The Primary Coverage will be offered until December 11, 2022, regardless of mileage. · After the Primary Coverage, the Secondary Coverage is applicable for 10 years from the date of first use, regardless of mileage. My vehicle is a 2017 Toyota Prius prime with Blizzard pearl 070 paint and I am experiencing terrible paint chipping. My hood, roof, and A Pilars are starting to rust. When I tried speaking to Toyota dealerships and corporate about this issue they refused to help and said there's nothing they can do because my vin doesn't match the recall. The fact that this same paint code is showing such wear despite my vehicle being newer that the recalled vehicles should automatically make me a candidate for a paint replacement on the damaged areas.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645348February 27, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-30 MPH, the vents were blowing out cold air. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was adding coolant to the coolant reservoir every three to four days. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coolant was leaking into the exhaust pipe. The dealer recommended that the exhaust system front pipe be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 81,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627707November 27, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed. The accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and jerked. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the battery indicator did not look as if the battery was charging. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics; however, the failure was not duplicated. In addition, the vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the failure had become persistent. The contact stated that during one failure his wife was driving, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the failure was not duplicated. In addition, the contact stated that during one failure, the excessive acceleration warning light illuminated. The contact had not depressed the accelerator pedal during the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that no assistance was available. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626715November 21, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dear NHTSA, I am seeking assistance and compensation for ongoing warranty and repair issues with my Toyota Prius. Key Incident Timeline: •March 21, 2024: Dashboard message “Grille Shutter Inoperable” •March 25, 2024: Toyota of Glendale visit •Charged $220 for diagnostics •Refused to honor service bulletin •Vehicle mileage: 149,217 Customer Service Interactions: •April 9, 2024: •Contacted Toyota customer service •Confirmed CA emissions coverage to 150,000 miles •Discovered extended warranty unexpectedly canceled Brand Engagement Claim: •April 9, 2024: Filed claim with Toyota’s Brand Engagement line •June 26, 2024: Claim denied, dealership’s decision upheld Repair Challenges: •July 5, 2024: Wondries Toyota diagnostic visit •Charged $200 for diagnostics •Confirmed active service bulletins would have covered repairs Repair Management: •Northeast Mechanic has handled all subsequent repairs due to Toyota’s failures Financial Losses Breakdown: •Initial diagnostic fee (Toyota of Glendale): $220.00 •Diagnostic fee (Wondries Toyota): $200.00 •Car rental (July 6, 2024 - Hertz): $1,356.17 •Car parts: $1,706.55 •Labor on vehicle: $754.22 •Water pump: $167.78 •Head Gasket, Spark Plugs, Engine Water Pump: $2,161.00 •Total financial loss: $6,565.72 I request a comprehensive investigation into these warranty and repair issues, seeking full compensation for the financial burden caused by Toyota’s repeated failures. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605347July 30, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving the speed limit of 70mph on a major highway, the sunroof on my 2017 Toyota Prius exploded. There was no warning of any kind: no other traffic nearby so no rock or debris from another vehicle; no overpass or bridge so nothing from above; it was a mild sunny day of 76 degrees so not a weather factor; and by the angle of the glass that remains being in an outward position rather than inward, reveals to me that it was from inside out, not from outside in as if it were a rock hitting. It just exploded. I was the only person in the car. Thankfully, the visor was shut on it or the shattered glass would have caused injury and of greater serious concern is just the sudden sound of what sounded like a bomb going off over my head was enough to cause a reaction which easily would result in an accident. It was a terrifying experience! I was lucky no other vehicles were nearby and could react and safely get off the road. I called 911 immediately and reported it. I have read many such claims from other Toyota owners online (see ToyotaNation.com and search by "exploding Sunroof") and even from a technician at my nearby Toyota Collision Center that it just happened to a friend of theirs also. This is not a one time issue. When I took the car to the Collision Center for an estimate and inquired about the damage, they could find no recall on it by Toyota. This is certainly a dangerous and hazardous issue that needs to be addressed asap before someone is seriously hurt or there is a fatality.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603676July 22, 2024
ENGINE
Coolant leaking into exhaust And engine also vehicle suddenly stops for no reason now engine is completely broken due to the coolant going into the motor oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598469July 3, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Dashboard pop up came up saying that the grille shutter is inoperable to visit a dealer. Went online and noticed there were recalls for my Prius year and because emissions is affected I contacted Toyota financial customer service who said to go to a dealer and that they would fix no charge. Went three times to the dealer and they did not want to honor the recall. Charged me $200 to run diagnostics on the vehicle and confirmed that the code that was being recalled matched. They made excuses and in the end did not fix. The pop up appeared March 2024 and since then I now have another pop up appear about the hybrid system overheating due to them not fixing. I went to a local mechanic who said it was the dealers responsibility since there are service bulletins but they do not want to help. The car has stalled out on the freeway almost leaving me to get hit and my fuel has gotten worse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597791June 30, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jbl touchscreen 11.6 on Prius prime plugin 2017 has capacitive buttons like FM AM SPEAKER/Audio, and resistive buttons like Volume and Sufio not registering a finger touch or pressure. All other icons on touchscreen work and respond. Bluetooth works but no sound when a text message is read from my iPhone. Started when heat index was 107 on June 23. With climate change I am concerned that EV and PHEV touchscreens may need to be recalled to prevent this kind of failure. Mechanic said it WAS NOT FUSES OR BATTERY, and AICHATGBT proffered a software glitch or a neede update
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580732April 2, 2024
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owned a 2017 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated after the vehicle was in the park position and exiting, the vehicle accelerated on its own in reverse. The contact mentioned when she parked, the front tires pointed towards a curb which allowed her to get inside the vehicle and to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle continued accelerating, crashed into two trees on the front driver's side and front passenger side, jumped the curve, and crashed into a fence where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact mentioned that she was a professional driver for a living and assured that the failure was not a user error. A police report was not filed due to the incident occurring on her property. No injuries were sustained. A Toyota representative inspected the vehicle at the contact's residence to diagnose the vehicle but the results were not available. The unknown local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was traded in at the dealer and the contact no longer owns the vehicle. The contact mentioned that after the failure incident, an unknown manufacturer recall was opened related to unintended acceleration. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11576608March 11, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Each time I use the USB port behind the cup holders, my vehicle's electrical system goes through a power-down cycle. This has happened several times over the years while I was driving. I no longer use that particular USB port for safety reasons. I reported this to my Toyota dealer, but they could not replicate the problem while I was there, so nothing was ever done. My younger son was driving the car and nearly had a wreck when the electrical system power-cycled while he was driving. He has been instructed to not use the USB ports.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550401October 17, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On 10/16/23 I was turning slowly into a parking spot and my car suddenly accelerated without my pressing the accelerator. I slammed on the break and the car stopped. It was frightening because I could have hit someone or something but luckily the car stopped before that happened. I believe that this was a malfunction of the accelerator. This has not been checked or reported to anyone yet but I will be calling Toyota to have it checked. There have been no warning messages.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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