Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, most frequently naming the visibility, body & structure and interior & seats categories. 42 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2017 | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 3 |
| Mar 2018 | 2 | 5 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 6 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 7 |
| Aug 2018 | 2 | 9 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 10 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
HEAD RESTRAINT (HEAD REST). PUSHES HEAD FORWARD. CAUSES NECK/BACK DISCOMFORT. HEAD STRIKING HEAD RESTRAINT ON ROUGH ROAD FEELS LIKE A CONCUSSION! LONG DRIVES ARE MISERABLE. SEAT ADJUSTMENTS FAIL TO OVERCOME THE ISSUE. 5'3" WOMAN. I HAD A PRIUS 2006 AND IT WAS JUST FINE. THIS PRIUS SEAT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE I MIGHT SELL IT.
SUMMARY: HAVE OWNED MY PRIUS PRIME FOR EIGHT MONTHS AND HAVE NEEDED TO REPAIR ONE WINDSHIELD CHIP, REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD ONCE, AND CURRENTLY HAVE ANOTHER CRACK THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. DETAILS: PURCHASED MY PRIUS PRIME DEC 10, 2017. ON DEC 20, 2017, GOT A CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ALONG THE LOCAL HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED SAME-DAY. IN JUNE 2018, GOT ANOTHER CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD AND THE CRACK SPREAD BEYOND REPAIR ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. STARTED THE PROCESS TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS AND THREE APPOINTMENTS WITH SAFELITE BEFORE THEY HAD THE CORRECT WINDSHIELD WITH THE CORRECT PARTS. ACCORDING TO SAFELITE, TOYOTA HAD CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE NEW DESIGN WAS ON BACKORDER. PAID MY $500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THIS REPLACEMENT. ON AUGUST 8, 2018, JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD, I GOT ANOTHER CHIP THAT ALSO SPREAD BEYOND REPAIR IMMEDIATELY. AS OF THIS WRITING, I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD FOR THE SECOND TIME. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, FILED IN MARCH 2018, RELATED TO THESE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS. ATTACHED ARE RECEIPTS FROM SAFELITE SHOWING THE CHIP REPAIR, PAYMENT OF MY DEDUCTIBLE, AND PICTURES OF THE CURRENT CRACK.
CAR HAS LOUD CONTINUOUS CREAKING/SQUEAKING NOISE FROM LEFT REAR OF THE CAR. SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION OR BODY FLEXING WHEN DRIVING. IT OCCURS WHEN TURNING AND REVERSING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS GOING UPHILL AND DOWNHILL AND ON WINDING ROADS. DRIVER SEAT ALSO SQUEAKS WHEN IN A CERTAIN POSITION. SQUEAKING/CREAKING FROM REAR LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR CAN BE DANGEROUS IF COMING FROM THE WHEEL AREA OR SUSPENSION.
I HAVE 9150 MILES ON MY CAR. GOING 80MPH ON THE HIGHWAY MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRES ARE TOYO NANOENERGY A29. THE TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE FACING THE CAR. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. TOYOTA REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE TIRE EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY EVEN CHARGED ME FOR LABOR.
THE WINDSHIELD OF OUR 2017 PRIUS PRIME SUSTAINED DAMAGE WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY. THE STONE WAS PEA SIZED AND SHOULD NOT HAVE CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD AT THE SPEED OF 50MPH.
TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A SMALL ROCK THROWN UP BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC HIT THE LOWER LEFT EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD, A LARGE CRACK EXTENDING MORE THAN HALFWAY ACROSS THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD APPEARED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH NEWER TOYOTA HYBRIDS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED $1500 TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD AND RE-CALIBRATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
BRIGHT LED HEADLIGHTS ISN'T THE ISSUE JUST WITH MY PRIUS PRIME BUT WITH ALMOST ALL NEW VEHICLES ON THE ROAD THAT I PRESUME HAVE LED LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS ARE SO BRIGHT THAT IT BOTHERS THE DRIVER OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE OR TRAFFIC. I FACE THAT ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AND CAN IMAGINE THE SAME WITH THE DRIVER OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. THERE ARE INSTANCES WHEN DRIVERS FLASH THEIR HEADLIGHTS ASKING TO USE LOW-BEAM WHILE I AM ALREADY USING THE LOW-BEAM LIGHT SETTING. LAST NIGHT 3/6/2018, AN IRRITATED DRIVERS JUST BRUSHED OFF MY CAR ON A COUNTY ROAD THINKING THAT I AM NOT RESPONDING TO HIS FLASHING LIGHT SIGNAL OR ASK TO USE LOW-BEAM ON MY CAR. I SEE EXCESSIVE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON NEWER CARS AS A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING.
NOTICED TWO SMALL CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD, CENTER AREA CLOSE TO BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD. DID NOT NOTICE SOUND OR SIGHT OF AN IMPACT, BUT TWO DAYS LATER, CRACKS HAD SPREAD LEFT AND RIGHT ABOUT 14 INCHES EITHER SIDE OF ORIGINAL SITE OF CRACKS.
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.
STRUCTURE:BODY
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.