2017 Toyota Prius Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2017 Toyota Prius has 125 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve visibility/wiper and service brakes.
Powertrain: Battery Electric (BEV).
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 125 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
VISIBILITY/WIPER
17 13.6%
SERVICE BRAKES
14 11.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
13 10.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11 8.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
11 8.8%
Quick Insights
The top category is VISIBILITY/WIPER, accounting for 13.6% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 23 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2017 Toyota Prius
The 2017 Toyota Prius has 125 owner complaints in this dataset. VISIBILITY/WIPER is the most common complaint category, representing about 14% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2017 Toyota Prius are VISIBILITY/WIPER (17), SERVICE BRAKES (14), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (13).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 60 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2017 Toyota Prius?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 23 of 23 systems
VISIBILITY/WIPER
17 Reports14% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TRAVELING EAST ON THE 10 THROUGH PHOENIX AZ, MY WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY SOMETHING SO SMALL I COULDN'T SEE IT. CAUSED A STAR LESS THAN 1/3" BUT ALSO A WINDING CRACK ALMOST 1 FT. LONG. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT EVERY DAY WHEN I COME OUT TO MY CAR, THE CRACK HAS GROWN IN A SNAKING PATTERN. IT DOES NOT GROW AT ALL WHILE DRIVING. I PERIODICALLY CHECK IT WHILE DRIVING. TODAY THE CRACK GREW OVER 1 FT. IN LENGTH OVER THE COURSE OF THE MORNING, JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY.
5/29/2017
CAR WAS HIT BY FLYING DEBRIS WHICH PRODUCED LARGE CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING DOWN TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT LEGAL SPEED.
6/23/2017
SERVICE BRAKES
14 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
PLEASE NOTE: THAT I HAVE OWNED A PREVIOUS GENERATION PRIUS - A 2011 - AND I AM MORE THAN AWARE THAT REGENERATIVE BRAKING WORKS ENTIRELY DIFFERENTLY THAN A CONVENTIONAL BRAKING SYSTEM. SO IN NO WAY AM I REFERRING TO THE "USUAL NOISES" THAT COME FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR EXPLANATION OF LIFE AND SAFETY ISSUE.
7/5/2017
I HAVE RECENTLY INSTALLED HAND CONTROLS ON MY CAR AND UNDERWENT PROPER TRAINING.FSINCE THE HAND CONTROLS WORK THE OPPOSITE OF A ZERO TURN LAWNMOWER I HAVE TO FIGHT THE FACT THAT THEY WORK IN REVERSE. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND AN APP FOR MY COMPUTER WITH A JOYSTICK THAT WOULD SIMULATE DRIVING AND HOW TO RESPOND TO A CHILD RUNNING IN FRONT OF MY CAR. THIS IS SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY I CAN'T PRACTICE ON THE ROAD AND MY INSTINCT MIGHT BE THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE. I WOULD LIKE SUCH A GAME TO ENSURE THAT MY RESPONSE ALWAYS IS IMMEDIATE DO YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS?
7/31/2017
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
13 Reports10% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT STRUCK A POLICE VEHICLE. THE OFFICER GAVE THE CONTACT A WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. THE LOCAL DEALER (ELMORE TOYOTA, 15300 BEACH BLVD, WESTMINISTER, CA, 92683) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V741000 (SERVICE BRAKES), AND RECOMMENDED HE SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1709193209. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND THAT THERE WOULD BE A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
9/25/2017
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC USING CRUISE CONTROL MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED QUICKLY. WEATHER WAS ALIGHT RAIN. IT WAS LIKE THE RADAR FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF OR STOPPED BEING PROCESSED.
12/28/2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WE PURCHASED A 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS ON JANUARY 29TH 2017 AND ON MARCH 22ND 2017 THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE OUT OF NO WHERE. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT FROM THE AROUND THE SHIFT CHANGER AND THE TOUCH SCREEN AREA. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE.
4/8/2017
THE RUBBER ON THE HANDLE TO OPEN MY HATCHBACK HAS MELTED. IN THE WINTER, I CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE HATCH DOOR, AND IN THE SUMMER, IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN.
4/17/2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
11 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
ON I-75 @70 MILES/HR, WITH AROUND 800 MILEAGE NEW PRIUS, TOYO TIRE OF THE REAR TIRE POPPED OUT AND ROLLED ON THE I-75 WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS BUT WITH SOME GAS SMELL, PUTTING ALL THE OCCUPANTS TO HIGH RISK OF CRASH ON THE BUSIEST FREEWAY, AND THE AGONY OF THE INCIDENT. I TOWED MY PRIUS TO VALDOSTA TOYOTA, EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA CARE SHOULD COVER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY CHARGED ME FOR TOWING AND PUTTING NEW TIRE. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS GAS SYSTEM OR TOYO TIRE OF PRIUS. AFTER AROUND 100 MILES I TRIED TO PUT IN GAS, PRIUS TANK DIDN'T TAKE GAS, WENT TO CLEAR WATER TOYOTA AND GOT IT REPAIRED, DESPITE EXPLAINING TOYOTA CARE AND LESS THAN 1K MILEAGE, THEY CHARGED ME FOR REPAIR. CONTACTED TOYOTA CARE AND MY LOCAL DEALER, THEY SAID VALDOSTA AND CLEAR WATER TOYOTA SHOULD NOT HAVE CHARGED. THE DEALERS SAY TOYOTA CARE NEED TO REIMBURSE THE REPAIRS AT LEAST, AS THEY CAN'T COMPENSATE THE AGONY OF LOSING A TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. TOYOTA CARE DOESN'T EVEN BOTHER TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT AND INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE AND DETERMINE PRIUS GAS SYSTEM OR TOYO TIRE IS UNDER FAULT. EVEN AFTER GOING THROUGH 3 TOYOTA DEALERS AND CONTACTING TOYOTA MANY TIMES, THERE IS NO SOLUTION, SO A) WHO INVESTIGATES THE ISSUE? B) HOW TO ENSURE TOYOTACARE FOLLOWS THEIR PLAN? C) HOW TO BRING RESPONSIBILITY TO TOYOTA OR TOYO, THEIR SUPPLIER, SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY AS PART OF THE CAR WARRANTY? D) HOW TO ENSURE THE KINDS OF HORRIFYING INCIDENTS DO NOT HAPPEN TO ANY OTHER FAMILY IN FUTURE?
4/25/2018
THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY BUT WHEN I REACHED ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE, THE PRIUS STARTED TO ACT AS IF THE ELECTRIC MOTORS WERE NOT ENGAGING. THE ENGINE DID NOT ENGAGE EITHER AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4-WAY INTERSECTION UNTIL I SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT. AFTER I RESTARTED THE PRIUS, IT CONTINUED BEHAVING ERRATICALLY. IT SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE THE GAS MOTOR HAD ENGAGED BUT THE ELECTRIC MOTOR HAD NOT. IT ALSO FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING/NOT ENGAGING AND I HAD TO REV THE MOTOR TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE (WHICH IT DID WITH A KICK LIKE IT WAS BEING PUT INTO GEAR). THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SO FAR. I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE ON THE LAST INCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. I REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY COULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE, BUT THEY SAID THAT THEIR FIELD TECH WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEM. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS CAR WILL FAIL IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE INCIDENT DATES ARE JUNE 20, JULY 2 AND JULY 27, 2018. THE ONLY INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS ABNORMAL ON JULY THE 27TH. WAS A LOWER MPG READING ON MY DISPLAY. OTHER THAN THAT, THERE WAS NO WARNING OR ERROR CODES DISPLAYED.
8/6/2018
ENGINE
11 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
CAR STARTED BY ITSELF WHEN IT WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY IN HOT WEATHER IN THE SUN. MY KEY FOB DOES NOT HAVE A REMOTE STARTING MECHANISM - ONLY DOOR UNLOCK AND LOCK CAPABILITY.
7/17/2018
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE DESIGNED TO ENTER A FAILSAFE DRIVING MODE IN RESPONSE TO CERTAIN HYBRID SYSTEM FAULTS. TOYOTA HAS FOUND THAT IN RARE SITUATIONS, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT ENTER A FAILSAFE DRIVING MODE AS INTENDED. IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. WHILE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING WOULD REMAIN OPERATIONAL, A VEHICLE STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2/4/2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WE PURCHASED A 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS ON JANUARY 29TH 2017 AND ON MARCH 22ND 2017 THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE OUT OF NO WHERE. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT FROM THE AROUND THE SHIFT CHANGER AND THE TOUCH SCREEN AREA. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE.
4/8/2017
1) THE TABLET INFORMATION SCREEN IS SO LARGE AND THE INSTRUCTIONS SO COMPLICATED THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR A LONG TIME JUST TO REGULATE HVAC AND RADIO 2) THE CAR GOES COMPLETELY DEAD RANDOMLY AFTER DRIVING IT. MUST BE TOWED.
7/18/2017
STRUCTURE:BODY
7 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WE PURCHASED A 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS ON JANUARY 29TH 2017 AND ON MARCH 22ND 2017 THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE OUT OF NO WHERE. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT FROM THE AROUND THE SHIFT CHANGER AND THE TOUCH SCREEN AREA. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE.
4/8/2017
DEFECT IN MOLDING AROUND WINDOW FRAMES THAT ALLOW AIR TO PASS WITH WINDOWS ROLLED UP
11/19/2017
STEERING
7 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME 2017 LANE DEPARTURE WARNING WITH STEERING ASSIST. THIS STEERING ASSIST FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK AS IT DOES IN ANY OTHER TOYOTA MODEL. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH TOYOTA ENGINEERING AND MET WITH A TOYOTA TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY ADMIT THAT THE STEERING ASSIST FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK AS IT DOES IN ANY OTHER TOYOTA MODEL. AS YOU WILL SEE FROM MY ATTACHED DOCUMENT THIS FUNCTION REALLY DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A REGULATED SAFETY FEATURE OR NOT BUT IT WAS SUGGESTED BY A TOYOTA EMPLOYEE THAT I MAKE THE NHTSA AWARE OF THIS FAILURE AS IT COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. I HAVE DRIVEN AT LEAST 5 PRIUS PRIME ADVANCED AND ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN THAT THE STEERING ASSIST FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK IN ANY OF THEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS ADVERTISED AND SOLD TO THE CONSUMER AS A INTEGRAL PART OF THE TOYOTA SAFETY SUITE THAT IS ON ALL TOYOTA VEHICLES. THIS STEERING ASSIST FUNCTION DOES WORK ON ALL OF THE OTHER TOYOTA MODELS AS ADVERTISED AND AS A CONSUMER WOULD EXPECT. PLEASE REVIEW MY ATTACHED DOCUMENT THAT DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM AND MY ATTEMPTS TO GET TOYOTA TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE STOCK ANSWER I HAVE RECEIVED FROM MOST TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVES IS THAT THE STEERING ASSIST "WORKS AS IT IS ENGINEERED TO DO" MY STOCK ANSWER TO THIS IS WHY DOES IT FUNCTION DIFFERENTLY THAN EVERY OTHER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE TOYOTA SAFETY SUITE. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A COHERENT REPLY TO THAT QUESTION.
12/14/2017
2017 TOYOTA PRIUS TWO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SWAYING AND WOBBLING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *LD *TR
4/5/2018
POWER TRAIN
4 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
MY NEW TACOMA HAS A WHINE/HOWL COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. PER MY DEALER, THEY HAVE STARTED A TAS CASE WITH TOYOTA CORP AND WERE ADVISED THAT THE CONDITION DESCRIBED IS KNOWN, AND UNDER INVESTIGATION. TAS SAYS THERE ARE NO RECOMMENDED REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING BETWEEN 30-65 MPH WHEN DECELERATING AND FEATHERING THE THROTTLE, BUT IS NOW BECOMING MORE PRONOUNCE WITH TIME AND MORE MILEAGE. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE ISSUE COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS OCCURRING WITH 2016-17 TACOMA'S. MANY DIFFERENTIALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERS; EVEN THE REPLACEMENT DIFFERENTIALS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE.
4/15/2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT STRUCK A POLICE VEHICLE. THE OFFICER GAVE THE CONTACT A WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. THE LOCAL DEALER (ELMORE TOYOTA, 15300 BEACH BLVD, WESTMINISTER, CA, 92683) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V741000 (SERVICE BRAKES), AND RECOMMENDED HE SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1709193209. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND THAT THERE WOULD BE A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
9/25/2017
WHEELS
4 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
MY COMPLAINT HAS TO DO WITH A DESIGN "FEATURE" OF MY NEW VEHICLE. HAVING OWNED IT LESS THAN A WEEK, NO RELATED INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED. HOWEVER, I SEE AN UNNECESSARY RISK DUE TO THIS DESIGN. MY NEW CAR, A 2017 PRIUS 4 TOURING, COMES WITH NO SPARE TIRE. THERE ARE THREE PRIUS MODELS LIKE THAT, EVEN FOR THE 2018 MODEL YEAR. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE RELATED SAFETY ASPECTS OF THAT TOYOTA DECISION? IN THE WESTERN US, ESPECIALLY, THERE ARE MANY PAVED ROADS WITH LITTLE OR NO TRAFFIC AND SPOTTY, IF ANY, CELL PHONE SERVICE. TYPICALLY, THEY ARE IN DESERT AREAS, SCORCHING IN THE SUMMER, FRIGID IN WINTER, WITH TOWNS FAR APART. IF A DRIVER OF A CAR LIKE MINE HAS A TIRE BLOWOUT IN SUCH A REMOTE AREA, HE/SHE IS LITERALLY STRANDED. THE SUPPLIED TIRE REPAIR KIT WILL NOT HELP IN CASE OF A BLOWOUT. AVERAGE OWNERS WILL NOT EVEN KNOW THEY ARE WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE UNTIL THEY NEED ONE. MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE, THIS COULD BE FATAL TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN EXTREME HEAT OR COLD. THE DRIVER'S ONLY HOPE IS THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE WILL HAPPEN ALONG TO HELP. A RISK LIKE THAT DOES NOT JUSTIFY A MANUFACTURER'S CUTTING COSTS TO BOOST PROFITS. IMHO, THE NHTSA SHOULD TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS: 1 - ANY CAR SOLD NEW WITHOUT A USABLE SPARE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND RETROFITTED. 2 - MANUFACTURERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SELL CARS IN THE USA WITHOUT A USABLE SPARE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO VOICE MY OPINION. I HOPE YOU WILL AGREE THAT ABSENCE OF A SPARE TIRE IS AN UNNECESSARY RISK.
12/5/2017
ON I-75 @70 MILES/HR, WITH AROUND 800 MILEAGE NEW PRIUS, TOYO TIRE OF THE REAR TIRE POPPED OUT AND ROLLED ON THE I-75 WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS BUT WITH SOME GAS SMELL, PUTTING ALL THE OCCUPANTS TO HIGH RISK OF CRASH ON THE BUSIEST FREEWAY, AND THE AGONY OF THE INCIDENT. I TOWED MY PRIUS TO VALDOSTA TOYOTA, EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA CARE SHOULD COVER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY CHARGED ME FOR TOWING AND PUTTING NEW TIRE. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS GAS SYSTEM OR TOYO TIRE OF PRIUS. AFTER AROUND 100 MILES I TRIED TO PUT IN GAS, PRIUS TANK DIDN'T TAKE GAS, WENT TO CLEAR WATER TOYOTA AND GOT IT REPAIRED, DESPITE EXPLAINING TOYOTA CARE AND LESS THAN 1K MILEAGE, THEY CHARGED ME FOR REPAIR. CONTACTED TOYOTA CARE AND MY LOCAL DEALER, THEY SAID VALDOSTA AND CLEAR WATER TOYOTA SHOULD NOT HAVE CHARGED. THE DEALERS SAY TOYOTA CARE NEED TO REIMBURSE THE REPAIRS AT LEAST, AS THEY CAN'T COMPENSATE THE AGONY OF LOSING A TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. TOYOTA CARE DOESN'T EVEN BOTHER TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT AND INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE AND DETERMINE PRIUS GAS SYSTEM OR TOYO TIRE IS UNDER FAULT. EVEN AFTER GOING THROUGH 3 TOYOTA DEALERS AND CONTACTING TOYOTA MANY TIMES, THERE IS NO SOLUTION, SO A) WHO INVESTIGATES THE ISSUE? B) HOW TO ENSURE TOYOTACARE FOLLOWS THEIR PLAN? C) HOW TO BRING RESPONSIBILITY TO TOYOTA OR TOYO, THEIR SUPPLIER, SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY AS PART OF THE CAR WARRANTY? D) HOW TO ENSURE THE KINDS OF HORRIFYING INCIDENTS DO NOT HAPPEN TO ANY OTHER FAMILY IN FUTURE?
4/25/2018
SEATS
3 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
1)THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS TILTED TO THE RIGHT 2)DRIVER SEAT BAD 3)LONG-DISTANCE DRIVING VERY TIRED 4)THE PASSENGER SEAT IS TILTED TO THE RIGHT 5)SHEET CAN NOT SUPPORT MY BODY
3/19/2017
EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS CASE, I CONSIDER THAT IT IS VERY RELEVANT THAT I EXPRESS MY CONCERNS WITH THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I TRADED IN MY 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS FOR A VEHICLE THAT PROVIDED AN UNSAFE DRIVING EXPERIENCE TO MY FAMILY WHICH WAS THE 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH VIN NUMBER [XXX] AFTER TAKING IT TO THREE DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TO BE EVALUATED BY TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA FIELD INSPECTORS FROM TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS, TOYOTA MOTOR VEHICLES MADE THE CHOICE NOT TO LISTEN TO OUR CONCERNS AND REJECTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY PROVIDING ME A SAFETY HAZARD PRODUCT IN ORDER TO AVOID LEMON LAW AND/OR MAKE ME AWARE OF THE HIGH LEVELS OF EMF THAT THE VEHICLE HAD. ON APRIL 18 2019, WE NEVER WERE TOLD BY THE SECOND FIELD INSPECTOR SENT BY TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS THE RESULTS OF HIS FINDINGS. BIG TWO TOYOTA TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION AND CONVINCED US TO TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE FOR A NEW 2019 TOYOTA SIENNA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
4/1/2020
AIR BAGS
3 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND THE BODY DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED SO THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KALISPELL TOYOTA (2845 U.S. 93 S, KALISPELL, MT 59901) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
10/1/2018
TAKATA RECALL POSSIBLY. WET PAVEMENT, TRAFFIC SLOWED ON INTERSTATE TO ABOUT 45 MPH, TAILGATING SMALL PICKUP HIT MY REAR CRUMPLE ZONE, SHOVED ME INTO A SMALL SUV THAT CRUSHED MY FRONT CRUMPLE ZONE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NEITHER MY WIFE (FRONT SEAT PASSENGER) NOR I FELT ANY DISCOMFORT, BUT A FEW DAYS LATER SHE COMPLAINED ABOUT PAIN IN HER WAIST AREA. SHE WAS LATER DETERMINED TO HAVE A FRACTURED PELVIS AND A JOSTLED LEFT HIP JOINT.
4/24/2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD AN AUTO POWER START FOB, BUT IT WAS NOT AROUND THE KEY FOB. IN ADDITION, A HEADLIGHT WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED THAT ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BRUNSWICK AUTO MART, 3031 CENTER RD, BRUNSWICK, OH, 44212). THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM AND SENSOR. THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE ENGAGING INDEPENDENTLY TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD DOCUMENT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. ...UPDATED 09/21/17 *BF UPDATED 9/22/2017*JS UPDATED 09/25/2017*JS ***UPDATED 09/26/17*LJ *JS
8/14/2017
TIRES
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
1) THE EVENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 4, 2017. 2) 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH APPROXIMATELY 19,980 MILES. 3) THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVED ON SCHEDULE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. 4) AT THE PRIOR INSPECTION NO DAMAGE OR ABNORMAL WEAR WAS REPORTED. 5) FROM THE TIME OF THE 15,000 MILE INSPECTION NO DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE TIRE. 6) AT NO TIME DID THE TIRE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, DID THE TIRE INFLATION WARNING ANNUNCIATOR ILLUMINATE. 7) WHILE TRAVELING ON A STATE HIGHWAY (SIMILAR TO A INTERSTATE) WHICH IS IN VERY GOOD AND SMOOTH CONDITION, DRY AT THE TIME, FREE OF DEBRIS, STRAIGHT AT THE LOCATION OF THE INCIDENT, AT APPROXIMATELY THE POST SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH. WITH VIRTUALLY NO WARNING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY WITH ENTIRE OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE SIDEWALL STRUCTURE. THE CAR REMAINED UNDER CONTROL AND I WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE WHILE TRAVELING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND REMAINING WITHIN THE CONFINES OF MY LANE, TO A SPEED WHERE I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE TRAFFIC LANE AND CAME TO STOP ON THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. 8) OTHER THAN TOTAL FAILURE OF THE TIRE, NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS SUSTAINED AND NO INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OR OTHER PARTIES OCCURRED. 9) I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FAILED TIRE WHILE STILL MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL, INCLUDING THE TREAD OF THE TIRE AND THE OUTER SIDE, WHICH IS THE LOCATION OF THE FAILURE.
10/11/2017
SUSPENSION
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
2017 TOYOTA PRIUS TWO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SWAYING AND WOBBLING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *LD *TR
4/5/2018
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
IN MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WITH THE TOYOTA DYNAMIC CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH, THE PRIUS HAS DANGEROUSLY ACCELERATED ITSELF TOWARDS A CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF MY CAR AND WOULD HAVE CREATED A FRONT-TO-REAR COLLISION IF I WAS NOT EXTREMELY VIGILANT AND MANUALLY BRAKED AND CANCELED THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE SYSTEM WITHIN 10-20 FEET OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SYSTEM SEEMS TO OPERATE BLINDLY IN MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN AND WILL ACCELERATE TO USER-SET SPEED EVEN WHEN A CAR IS TRAVELING SLOWER IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I STRONGLY SUSPECT THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING IS FAILING AT THE SAME TIME AS THE DYNAMIC CRUISE (IN RAIN) SINCE IT RELIES ON THE SAME COMPONENTS. THE PRIUS PRIME NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED TO NOT ALLOW DYNAMIC CRUISE ENGAGEMENT IN MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE DRIVER VISIBILITY IS ALREADY IMPAIRED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. IF THIS DID NOT OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES, I WOULD NOT HAVE BELIEVED IT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING. THE PRIUS MANUAL SAYS THAT RAIN CAN CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO NOT BEHAVE AS INTENDED; HOWEVER, IN THAT CASE IT NEEDS TO BE AUTOMATICALLY DISABLED SO IT DOES NOT CREATE A VERY FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. THIS IS GOING TO COST LIVES IF IT'S NOT REPROGRAMMED. I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF THIS WAS THE ONLY TOYOTA THAT EXHIBITS THIS DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT LIVES CAN BE SAVED WITH A SIMPLE REPROGRAM OF THE SYSTEM TO NOT ALLOW OPERATION UNDER CONDITIONS THAT CAN CREATE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INTO A SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD SAVE THEMSELVES MILLIONS IN POTENTIAL LIABILITY AND TAKE THIS SUGGESTION SERIOUSLY.
5/28/2018
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RAIN THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SPONTANEOUSLY STOPS AND LASHES ON THE DASH DISPLAY THAT IT IS NO LONGER SET, THE CAR DECELERATES RAPIDLY, LEAVING THE DRIVER SCRAMBLING TO DETERMINE WHAT HAS HAPPENED. THE SYSTEMS INVOLVED ARE THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND "TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE."
1/19/2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
UNDER CERTAIN DAYTIME CONDITIONS THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY BECOMES TEMPORARILY UNREADABLE DUE TO PUPILLARY DELAY ADJUSTING TO UNILLUMINATED DASHBOARD DISPLAY OF SPEEDOMETER.THE DASHBOARD, BY DESIGN, IS NOT ILLUMINATED DURING DAYLIGHT. BECAUSE OF THIS, UNDER BRIGHT SUNNY CONDITIONS, WHEN THE DRIVER GLANCES AT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY, HIS EYES CANNOT IMMEDIATELY ADJUST TO READ THE VEHICLE WITHOUT TAKING HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD AHEAD TO KNOW HIS SPEED.
3/8/2019
SEAT BELTS
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EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS CASE, I CONSIDER THAT IT IS VERY RELEVANT THAT I EXPRESS MY CONCERNS WITH THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I TRADED IN MY 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS FOR A VEHICLE THAT PROVIDED AN UNSAFE DRIVING EXPERIENCE TO MY FAMILY WHICH WAS THE 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH VIN NUMBER [XXX] AFTER TAKING IT TO THREE DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TO BE EVALUATED BY TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA FIELD INSPECTORS FROM TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS, TOYOTA MOTOR VEHICLES MADE THE CHOICE NOT TO LISTEN TO OUR CONCERNS AND REJECTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY PROVIDING ME A SAFETY HAZARD PRODUCT IN ORDER TO AVOID LEMON LAW AND/OR MAKE ME AWARE OF THE HIGH LEVELS OF EMF THAT THE VEHICLE HAD. ON APRIL 18 2019, WE NEVER WERE TOLD BY THE SECOND FIELD INSPECTOR SENT BY TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS THE RESULTS OF HIS FINDINGS. BIG TWO TOYOTA TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION AND CONVINCED US TO TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE FOR A NEW 2019 TOYOTA SIENNA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
4/1/2020
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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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.
2/27/2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
2/27/2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
12/19/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota Prius?
Are complaints about the 2017 Toyota Prius a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2017 Toyota Prius?
Are complaints about the 2017 Toyota Prius severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Toyota Prius: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 125
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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