2021 Toyota Prius problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Toyota Prius, filed between 2021-03-25 and 2026-03-09. The most common problem areas are the electrical system (5, 31%), fuel/propulsion system (4, 25%) and engine (3, 19%). Owners reported 5 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 0 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2021 Toyota Prius complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 31% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine | 3 | 19% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 19% | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 13% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 13% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 13% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 13% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 6% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 1 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 6% | 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.
Electrical system: 5 complaints
- 5 complaints of 16 (31%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 2 of them also name the fuel/propulsion system; owners reported 2 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 4 complaints
- 4 complaints of 16 (25%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 2 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Engine: 3 complaints
- 3 complaints of 16 (19%) name the engine.
- 2 of them also name the service brakes; owners reported 2 crashes in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Service brakes: 3 complaints
- 3 complaints of 16 (19%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 2 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 3 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Forward collision avoidance: 2 complaints
- 2 complaints of 16 (13%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- Owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Power train: 2 complaints
- 2 complaints of 16 (13%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 2 of them also name the electrical system; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Toyota Prius covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names PRIUS, PRIUS PRIME, model year 2021. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2021 Toyota Prius recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Prius?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2021 Toyota Prius's most common problem areas are the electrical system (5 of 16 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (4 of 16 complaints) and engine (3 of 16 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2021 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Toyota Prius, including 5 reported crashes.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Toyota Prius's problems?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2021 Toyota Prius. Complaints alone do not trigger a free repair.