CarBrief

NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Toyota Prius[1]. The biggest group names the visibility and wiper parts, with 17 complaints[2].

91owner complaints[1]
3recalls[3]
52–56MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA files, biggest first.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2017 Prius is necessarily included.

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, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] 54 / 50 / 52 $1,300
Prius Eco, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] 58 / 53 / 56 $1,200

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
5 HB FWD[5] 5 4 5 4 10.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2017 Toyota Prius with 1.5L 4-cylinder[17] 72 hp
2017 Toyota Prius with 1.8L 4-cylinder[18] 96 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
PRIUS 5DR LIFTBACK[19] 179 in 69 in 58 in 106 in 3,064 lb
PRIUS C 5DR HATCHBACK[20] 157 in 67 in 57 in 100 in 2,496 lb
PRIUS V 5DR HATCHBACK[21] 182 in 70 in 62 in 109 in 3,318 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2001: 165 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 167 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 99 complaints, 1 recalls2004: 610 complaints, 6 recalls20042005: 1,051 complaints, 6 recalls2006: 1,439 complaints, 6 recalls2007: 2,003 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 1,497 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 502 complaints, 6 recalls2010: 2,829 complaints, 10 recalls20102011: 522 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 449 complaints, 7 recalls2013: 426 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 222 complaints, 4 recalls2015: 171 complaints, 2 recalls2016: 155 complaints, 5 recalls20162017: 91 complaints, 3 recalls9120172018: 37 complaints, 1 recalls2019: 30 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 14 complaints, 0 recalls2021: 6 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 24 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 21 complaints, 4 recalls2024: 27 complaints, 4 recalls2025: 18 complaints, 2 recalls20252026: 10 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Prius model year. The 2017 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20011653
20021672
2003991
20046106
20051,0516
20061,4396
20072,0034
20081,4974
20095026
20102,82910
20115226
20124497
20134264
20142224
20151712
20161555
2017913
2018371
2019303
2020140
202160
2022241
2023214
2024274
2025182
2026101

NHTSA's counts for the Prius show 91 complaints and 3 recalls for 2017[3]. Among the 27 model years listed, 10 have fewer complaints than 2017 and 16 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 2017 Prius?

The complaint file for this Prius is spread across several groups, with no single group dominating[1]. Visibility and wiper complaints lead the list, and none of them report a crash[2]. Brakes and speed control are the groups to read about with care, since they include crashes and injuries[6][7]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. Check the recalls section on this page before you buy or book a repair.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Prius?
Visibility and wiper complaints are the largest group, followed by brakes and speed control[2][6][7]. The full list is in the problems section.
Does the 2017 Toyota Prius have recalls?
Yes. The by-year facts show 3 recalls[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints does the 2017 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file[1].
What gas mileage does the 2017 Toyota Prius get?
See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2017 Toyota Prius reliable?
The complaints are spread over many groups[1]. Read the problems section and the by-year comparison on this page to judge for yourself.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota Prius

Compare all model years of the Toyota Prius

Other Toyota models from 2017

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2017: midsize cars

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Toyota Prius (12 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 17 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Prius model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Prius Eco, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 58 city / 53 highway / 56 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 14 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,932). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 13 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 13 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,825). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,282). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,070). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 18V579, filed September 5, 2018: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 17V295, filed May 2, 2017: Tires › Temporary / Emergency Spare Tire. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 16V741, filed October 14, 2016: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for Prius, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 54 city / 50 highway / 52 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Toyota Prius with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 72 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Toyota Prius with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 96 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS 5DR LIFTBACK: length 179 in, width 69 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,064 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS C 5DR HATCHBACK: length 157 in, width 67 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,496 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS V 5DR HATCHBACK: length 182 in, width 70 in, height 62 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,318 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.