NHTSA has 2,003 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Toyota Prius[1]. Headlight and exterior lighting trouble leads the list with 1,060 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the biggest complaint groups in the NHTSA files, starting with the largest.
- Exterior lighting. 1,060 complaints[2]. Owners describe a headlight that cuts out while driving and sometimes comes back after the switch is turned off and on again. Some say dealers could not find a fault, and some talk about costly replacement parts.
- Brakes. 275 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe a pedal that sinks toward the floor and a car that is slow to stop. Some of these stories end in a minor crash.
- Electrical system. 248 complaints[6]. Owners describe a dead starter battery after the car sat for a while, warning lights, and a drive battery that drops fast in traffic.
- Structure. 184 complaints[7]. Owners describe a rubber piece on the rear hatch handle that turns soft and sticky in the heat. Others describe a car that wanders in a straight line.
- Speed control. 124 complaints[8]. This group has a higher share of crash reports than most, with 40 crashes named[8].
- Service brakes, electric. 59 complaints[9].
- Engine. 54 complaints[10].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2007 Prius is necessarily included.
- Hybrid Propulsion System › Inverter (12V536), November 2012. About 350,662 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[11]
- Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector (12V537), November 2012. About 669,705 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Equipment › Other › Labels (10V036), February 2010. About 153,418 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (09V388), October 2009. About 4,445,056 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Prius, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 48 / 45 / 46 | $1,450 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD[15].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRIUS 4DR HATCH FWD[16] | 176 in | 68 in | 58 in | 106 in | 2,943 lb |
How 2007 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 165 | 3 |
| 2002 | 167 | 2 |
| 2003 | 99 | 1 |
| 2004 | 610 | 6 |
| 2005 | 1,051 | 6 |
| 2006 | 1,439 | 6 |
| 2007 | 2,003 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1,497 | 4 |
| 2009 | 502 | 6 |
| 2010 | 2,829 | 10 |
| 2011 | 522 | 6 |
| 2012 | 449 | 7 |
| 2013 | 426 | 4 |
| 2014 | 222 | 4 |
| 2015 | 171 | 2 |
| 2016 | 155 | 5 |
| 2017 | 91 | 3 |
| 2018 | 37 | 1 |
| 2019 | 30 | 3 |
| 2020 | 14 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 |
| 2022 | 24 | 1 |
| 2023 | 21 | 4 |
| 2024 | 27 | 4 |
| 2025 | 18 | 2 |
| 2026 | 10 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the Prius show 2,003 complaints and 4 recalls for 2007[3]. Among the 27 model years listed, 25 have fewer complaints than 2007 and 1 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2010 (2,829)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2007 Prius?
These are owner reports to NHTSA, so they are unverified and not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1]. The 2007 Prius has 2,003 complaints, and more than half of them name exterior lighting[1][2]. Brakes are the next biggest worry, and they come with 45 crashes named in that group[5]. The page also lists 4 recalls for this year[3]. If you are shopping for one, check the lighting and braking history closely and ask for the repair records.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Toyota Prius?
- Exterior lighting leads with 1,060 complaints[2]. Brakes follow with 275[5] and the electrical system with 248[6].
- Are there recalls on the 2007 Toyota Prius?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 4 recalls[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
- What gas mileage does the 2007 Toyota Prius get?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2007 Toyota Prius reliable?
- NHTSA has 2,003 complaints on file for this year[1]. Read the problem groups above and the safety section to judge for yourself.
- Is 2007 the best year for the Prius?
- Check the by-year comparison on this page to see how it stacks up against other years.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Toyota Prius
Compare all model years of the Toyota Prius
Other Toyota models from 2007
- 2007 Toyota Avalon
- 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
- 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser
- 2007 Toyota Sequoia
- 2007 Toyota Yaris
Similar cars from 2007: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 2,003 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Toyota Prius (124 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 70 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1,060 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Prius model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Prius, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 48 city / 45 highway / 46 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 275 complaints name the brakes component group (45 crashes, 1 fires, 21 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 248 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,944). NHTSA vehicle records
- 184 complaints name the structure component group (6 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 124 complaints name the speed control component group (40 crashes, 1 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,600). NHTSA vehicle records
- 59 complaints name the service brakes, electric component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 54 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 12V536, filed November 14, 2012: Hybrid Propulsion System › Inverter. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V537, filed November 14, 2012: Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V388, filed October 5, 2009: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS 4DR HATCH FWD: length 176 in, width 68 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,943 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov