This page covers 4 recalls, 90 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Toyota Prius.
52 mpg combined
4.5 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The most common theme across 2017 Prius complaints centers on visibility and wipers, which draw the highest complaint volume, owners frequently describe obstructed sightlines, wiper performance issues, and problems with the camera or sensor systems tied to the wide A-pillars and rear visibility design. The next notable cluster involves vehicle speed control, where owners report hesitation, stalling, or failure to accelerate as expected when pressing the gas pedal, particularly after coming to a complete stop or in hot weather, the vehicle eventually moves but the delay can be several seconds, and mechanics often find no stored fault codes. Service brake complaints follow, with owners describing unexpected or unresponsive braking behavior. A smaller number of reports mention coolant loss, with some owners finding they need to add coolant frequently and later learning it was leaking into the exhaust system.
90
Total Complaints
12
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Toyota Prius has 4 recalls, the most serious being two electrical concerns: a wiring harness connection that can shut down the hybrid drive system and cut power to the wheels, and a separate harness near the hybrid power control unit that can wear against its cover and short-circuit, raising the risk of fire.
The drive system shutdown issue only affects vehicles that had seat heaters installed at the port facility, and the instrument panel will display an error message and chime if the fault occurs. On the brake side, the foot-operated parking brake cable can disengage from its mechanism, and if the transmission is not left in Park, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly. There is also a low-severity concern involving the spare tire: on certain vehicles, the spare was not inflated to the pressure listed on the tire label and may not perform properly if needed.
At a glance
What can fail
A wire connection in the main harness may have been damaged during assembly, causing the hybrid drive system to shut down and loss of power to the drive wheels. An error message and warning chime will alert you.
What the fix does
Toyota will mail you instructions to take your vehicle to a dealer, where technicians will repair the damaged wire connections.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit can wear against its cover and short circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wire harness and replace it if damaged, then add protective sleeve or tape to prevent future wear.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire on affected vehicles has incorrect air pressure and does not match the pressure specified on the Tire Pressure Label.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the spare tire and adjust its pressure to the correct level at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking brake cable in the foot-operated parking brake system may come loose and disengage, potentially causing the brake to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent it from disengaging.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
