2019 Toyota Prius
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2019
Opened by NHTSA
37% of complaints
Complaints per year
2019: 30 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 165 |
| 2002 | 167 |
| 2003 | 99 |
| 2004 | 610 |
| 2005 | 1,051 |
| 2006 | 1,439 |
| 2007 | 2,004 |
| 2008 | 1,497 |
| 2009 | 502 |
| 2010 | 2,824 |
| 2011 | 522 |
| 2012 | 424 |
| 2013 | 414 |
| 2014 | 210 |
| 2015 | 166 |
| 2016 | 155 |
| 2017 | 91 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
37% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle involved in a accident. Vehicle brake system did not work. Driver had foot on brake pedal. Anti collision break system did not work, vehicle slid for 20FT into a stopped for. 2019 Prius was going 35 MPH before risk of collision was realized.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-27
Also filed under Air bags
Engine
20% · 6 reportsShow complaint excerpts
On Saturday [XXX], while shifting to reverse in a back alley to back up slowly, the car engine suddenly and loudly revved and shot backwards at accelerating speed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-19
Also filed under Electrical system
Coolant is leaking into the catalytic converter. This seems to be a common issue. Toyota issued a technical service bulletin on XXX covering this exactly.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-26
Electrical system
13% · 4 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Frequency when I start car makes a very loud , painful high pitch noise for anywhere from 5-15 seconds
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-13
Air bags
13% · 4 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Vehicle was involved in a accident and it was a total loss and no airbags deployed There wasBodily injury due to this accident
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-04
Our Prius was involved in front to passenger side collision, which totaled the Prius, yet no airbags deployed during the accident.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-10-07
Vehicle speed control
13% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
2019-05-24Equipment19V244000 Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles.
Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.
-
R
2019-09-20Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes19V544000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019.
-
R
2020-02-07Electrical system19V876000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Prius vehicles. An electrical short circuit in the combination meter could occur, causing the speedometer, the odometer, and the fuel gauge to go blank.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flash memory chip (ROM) production date, and if necessary, replace it along with the combination meter circuit board, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020.
-
I
2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
Buy-smart checklist
2019 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 11 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 6 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 4 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 19V244000 · Equipment
- Recall 19V544000 · Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes
- Recall 19V876000 · Electrical system
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2019 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2019 Toyota Prius is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Toyota Prius?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota Prius have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.