The most-reported Prius run is JTDKN3DU2A0 (2010 builds) with 193 complaints, 14.5× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 32% of reports; 2010 is the worst model year at 31.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 35 recall campaigns for Prius model years 2001–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Toyota Prius has 811 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every Prius complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JTDKN3DU2A0•••••• | 2010 | 9 | 1 | |
| JTDKN3DU8A0•••••• | 2010 | 13 | 1 | |
| JTDKN3DU3A0•••••• | 2010 | 14 | 1 | |
| JTDKN3DU9A0•••••• | 2010 | 8 | — | |
| JTDKN3DU0A0•••••• | 2010 | 9 | 1 | |
| JTDKN3DU1A0•••••• | 2010 | 6 | 1 | |
| JTDKN3DU4A0•••••• | 2010 | 15 | 1 | |
| JTDKN3DU7A0•••••• | 2010 | 17 | 1 | |
| JTDKN3DU6A0•••••• | 2010 | 14 | — | |
| JTDKN3DU5A0•••••• | 2010 | 9 | 1 | |
| JTDKN3DUXA0•••••• | 2010 | 10 | 1 | |
| JTDKB20U777•••••• | 2007 | 5 | 1 |
Each of the other 799 Prius runs has 117 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 474 Prius VINs so far, most often 2013, 2010, 2012 builds; 38 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Toyota Prius the gap between build years is 31.8×: a 2010 car draws 31.8 complaints per run, a 2021 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 15 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 25 | 13 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 20 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 24 | 15 | 4 | |
| 2021 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 13 | 12 | 6 | |
| 2019 | 30 | 17 | 7 | |
| 2018 | 36 | 22 | 5 | |
| 2017 | 94 | 34 | 9 | |
| 2016 | 144 | 28 | 8 | |
| 2015 | 158 | 33 | 27 | |
| 2014 | 192 | 42 | 25 | |
| 2013 | 374 | 50 | 31 | |
| 2012 | 393 | 65 | 42 | |
| 2011 | 482 | 42 | 34 | |
| 2010 | 2448 | 77 | 161 | |
| 2009 | 420 | 45 | 53 | |
| 2008 | 1253 | 47 | 127 | |
| 2007 | 1692 | 69 | 113 |
Heaviest year here is 2010 at 31.8 complaints per run; lightest is 2021 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 32% of everything Toyota Prius owners report: Service Brakes, 3,928 of 10,797 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 387 | 4 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 41 | 33 | |
| Hydraulic | 138 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 238 | 6 | |
| Electric | 55 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 32 | 7 | |
| Engine | 17 | 11 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 35 recall campaigns on the Toyota Prius; the 6 below cover build years 2004 to 2014. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 10V036000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2005–2010 |
| 12V537000 | Steering | 2004–2009 |
| 09V388000 | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 2004–2009 |
| 12V536000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 2004–2009 |
| 14V053000 | Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter | 2010–2014 |
| 18V684000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | 2010–2014 |
10V036000 was opened in 2010 on cars built from 2005: 5 years on the road before the recall.
The Prius against its rivals
The Prius draws 13.3 complaints per production run; the Hyundai Elantra 6, the Infiniti Q50 2.6 and the Nissan Kicks 3.1. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius | 10,797 | 811 | 7.9% | |
| Hyundai Elantra | 7,813 | 1,304 | 9.4% | |
| Infiniti Q50 | 466 | 180 | 7.5% | |
| Nissan Kicks | 525 | 167 | 5% |
How serious were they
Of the 10,797 reports on the Toyota Prius, 7.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Toyota Prius | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 10,797 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 854 (7.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 60 (0.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 462 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 14 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 36% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Toyota Prius share of that is 10,797 complaints over 811 runs, 0.97% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Toyota Prius VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 10,797 NHTSA complaints from 811 Prius runs and 35 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Prius production run has the most complaints?
JTDKN3DU2A0, a 2010 build, with 193 complaints, 9 of them after a crash. The typical Prius run has 13.3.
Which Prius years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2010 is heaviest at 31.8 complaints per run and 2021 lightest at 1.
Does the Prius get more complaints than the Hyundai Elantra?
Yes: 13.3 complaints per production run for the Prius against 6 for the Hyundai Elantra.
How many Prius complaints involve a crash?
7.9% of 10,797 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 60 involved a fire.
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