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 involving two separate electrical wiring defects — one that can cause a fire, and one that can cut power to the drive wheels without warning.
The fire risk comes from a section of the engine wire harness near the hybrid Power Control Unit, where the wiring can rub against a cover, wear through, and short circuit. Separately, a main wire harness connection that may have been damaged during assembly at the port facility can cause the hybrid drive system to shut down entirely, leaving the car without power to move. When this happens, an error message and warning chime appear on the instrument panel, but by then the vehicle has already lost drive power. This recall only affects vehicles that had seat heaters installed at the port.
On the mechanical side, the foot-operated parking brake uses a cable that can disengage from its mechanism. If the driver leaves the vehicle with the transmission in any gear other than Park and the ignition on, the car can roll away unexpectedly. Rounding out the list, certain vehicles distributed through Gulf States Toyota may have spare tires that were not inflated to the pressure shown on the tire pressure label. An underinflated spare may not handle or stop the way the driver expects, raising the risk of a crash if it is put into use.
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.
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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 →
What the fix does
Toyota will mail you instructions to take your vehicle to a dealer, where technicians will repair the damaged wire connections.
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.
