2018 Toyota Prius problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 51 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Toyota Prius, filed between 2018-02-21 and 2026-08-17. The most common problem areas are the exterior lighting (6, 12%), visibility/wiper (6, 12%) and air bags (5, 10%). Owners reported 9 crashes and 5 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 1 recall for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2018 Toyota Prius complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 8 | 16% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 10% | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 10% | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 8% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 4 | 8% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 8% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 8% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Exterior lighting: 6 complaints
- 6 complaints of 51 (12%) name the exterior lighting — headlights, tail and brake lights and turn signals.
- None of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Visibility/wiper: 6 complaints
- 6 complaints of 51 (12%) name the visibility/wiper — the windshield, windows, mirrors, wipers and defrosters.
- None of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Air bags: 5 complaints
- 5 complaints of 51 (10%) name the air bags — frontal, side and curtain air bags, their crash sensors and control module.
- Owners reported 3 crashes and 4 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Vehicle speed control: 5 complaints
- 5 complaints of 51 (10%) name the vehicle speed control — cruise control and accelerator/throttle control.
- Owners reported 3 crashes in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 4 complaints
- 4 complaints of 51 (8%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- None of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Power train: 4 complaints
- 4 complaints of 51 (8%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- None of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names PRIUS, PRIUS PRIME, model year 2018. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2018 Toyota Prius recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Prius?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2018 Toyota Prius's most common problem areas are the exterior lighting (6 of 51 complaints), visibility/wiper (6 of 51 complaints) and air bags (5 of 51 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2018 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA has 51 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Toyota Prius, including 9 reported crashes.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius's problems?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.