Short answer
Among Toyota Prius model years through 2024, 2021 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2010 has the most (10). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Toyota Prius: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 26 (2001–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 41
- Fewest recalls
- 2021 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2010 (10)
- Most recalled system
- Hybrid propulsion system (31)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2011, 2021, 2022 and 4 more years
Toyota Prius Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 1 | 5 stars | Electrical system |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 2 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Electrical system |
| 2024 | 4 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Back over prevention, Equipment |
| 2023 | 4 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Back over prevention, Equipment |
| 2022 | 1 | 5 stars | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2021 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2020 | 1 | 4–5 stars | Service brakes |
| 2019 | 4 | 4–5 stars | Electrical system, Equipment, Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2018 | 3 | 4–5 stars | Electrical system, Equipment, Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2017 | 4 | 4–5 stars | Electrical system, Hybrid propulsion system, Parking brake |
| 2016 | 6 | 4–5 stars | Air bags, Hybrid propulsion system, Electrical system |
| 2015 | 4 | 4 stars | Hybrid propulsion system, Air bags, Tires |
| 2014 | 6 | 4–5 stars | Hybrid propulsion system, Air bags |
| 2013 | 5 | 4–5 stars | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2012 | 8 | 4–5 stars | Hybrid propulsion system, Seats, Air bags |
| 2011 | 6 | 5 stars | Seats, Hybrid propulsion system, Air bags |
| 2010 | 10 | Not rated | Seats, Equipment, Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2009 | 6 | Not rated | Equipment, Hybrid propulsion system, Seats |
| 2008 | 4 | Not rated | Equipment, Hybrid propulsion system, Steering |
| 2007 | 4 | Not rated | Equipment, Hybrid propulsion system, Steering |
| 2006 | 6 | Not rated | Steering, Air bags, Equipment |
| 2005 | 6 | Not rated | Steering, Air bags, Equipment |
| 2004 | 6 | Not rated | Steering, Air bags, Exterior lighting |
| 2003 | 1 | Not rated | Steering |
| 2002 | 2 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Steering |
| 2001 | 3 | Not rated | Steering, Engine and engine cooling |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20261 recall
- 20252 recalls
- 20244 recalls
- 20234 recalls
- 20221 recall
- 20210 recalls
- 20201 recall
- 20194 recalls
- 20183 recalls
- 20174 recalls
- 20166 recalls
- 20154 recalls
- 20146 recalls
- 20135 recalls
- 20128 recalls
- 20116 recalls
- 201010 recalls
- 20096 recalls
- 20084 recalls
- 20074 recalls
- 20066 recalls
- 20056 recalls
- 20046 recalls
- 20031 recall
- 20022 recalls
- 20013 recalls
Toyota Prius: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Toyota Prius recalls are hybrid propulsion system (31), equipment (13), steering (13), air bags (10) and electrical system (10). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 16 of these 26 model years, and 2011, 2021, 2022 and 4 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Toyota Prius Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Toyota Prius?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2021 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Toyota Prius model years have the most recalls?
2010 has the most, with 10 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Prius", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy