2019 Toyota Prius prime problems

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The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (often abbreviated as the Prius PHV and known as the Prius Prime in North America, South Korea, and New Zealand) is a plug-in hybrid liftback manufactured by Toyota. The first-generation model was produced from 2012 to 2016. The second-generation model has been produced since 2016. Production of the third-generation model began in 2023.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid was the second most sold plug-in electric car in 2012, and became third-best all-time in December 2014. As sales declined after the end of its production, the Prius PHV fell to fifth place in the global ranking by November 2015, after being surpassed by both the Tesla Model S and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. As of December 2017, sales were led by North America with 66,800 units, followed by Japan with 48,800, and the European market with 13,100 units. The U.S. was the leading country market with 65,703 units sold by 2017. As of December 2019, cumulative global sales of both Prius plug-in generations totaled 209,000 units.

Concept and demonstration models

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid Concept was exhibited at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the October 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and the December 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The vehicle was based on the third-generation Toyota Prius (model XW30) but outfitted with 5.2 kWh lithium-ion batteries. The selected battery capacity is the minimum required for a vehicle to be eligible for the U.S. federal tax credit of US$2,500, which under the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is applicable to the first 200,000 plug-ins sold by an automaker.

After displaying the concept version in these three shows, a global demonstration program involving 600 pre-production test cars began in late 2009 and took place in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. The demonstration vehicles were made available for lease to fleet and government customers, of which, 230 were delivered in Japan beginning in late December 2009, 125 in the U.S. by early 2010, and 200 in Europe in spring 2010. All program vehicles were equipped with data tracking devices to allow Toyota to monitor the car's usage for further development of the plug-in hybrid system.

The pre-production Prius Plug-in used three different batteries: two added batteries to provide all-electric drive and the standard hybrid battery which engages when the first two are depleted, allowing the car to operate like a regular hybrid Prius. According to Toyota, when the vehicle started, it operates in all-electric mode, drawing electrical power directly from the first battery pack. When the first battery was depleted, it disconnected from the circuit and the second pack engaged. When the second pack was depleted, it disconnected from the circuit and the vehicle defaulted to conventional hybrid mode, using the main battery as the sole electrical power source. Pack one and pack two would not reengage with the circuit until the vehicle was plugged in and charged.

According to Toyota, the demonstrator was rated at 1.76 L/100 km (134 mpg‑US; 161 mpg‑imp) on the Japanese JC08 cycle with a combined efficiency based on 43.6% of driving in EV mode, and CO2 emissions of 41 g/km. Fuel efficiency operating as a gasoline-electric hybrid, like the regular Prius, is 3.3 L/100 km (72 mpg‑US; 86 mpg‑imp) with CO2 emissions of 76 g/km.

2019 Toyota Prius prime

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Common 2019 Toyota Prius prime problems

The Toyota Prius Prime 2019 has been recognized as a reliable vehicle by various sources. However, there have been two recalls related to this model year, which are important to address.

The first recall, announced on September 21, 2021, involves the hybrid propulsion system. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may falsely detect an error and shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power. This issue can increase the risk of a crash and is related to the vehicle's hybrid system, which is not a primary factor in overall vehicle reliability. Toyota will update the ECU software free of charge to fix this issue.

The second recall, announced on July 23, 2019, affects the brake booster pump, which may fail and cause a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. This issue is significant, as it increases the risk of a crash and affects the vehicle's braking system, which is crucial for safety. Toyota will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump free of charge to address this issue.

While these recalls are concerning, it is important to note that the Toyota Prius Prime 2019 has generally been well-regarded for its reliability, with no major patterns of problems identified by sources such as NHTSA and Consumer Reports. However, as with any vehicle, it is always wise to have a professional mechanic conduct a pre-purchase inspection before signing the paperwork, especially if you are considering purchasing a used model.

2019 Toyota Prius prime engine

Is 2019 a good year for a Prius?

Reliability 10/10 – There are no major problems reported on the 2019 Prius. In general, models from 2012–2022 are all considered to be extremely reliable small cars. Performance 5/10 – Performance is poor form the hybrid powertrain which is built to be extremely efficient rather than powerful.

What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?

A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.

  • Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
  • Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
  • Unintended Acceleration. ...
  • Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
  • Prius Headlight Problems. ...
  • Prius Brake Defects. ...
  • Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.

What happens when Prius Prime runs out of battery?

Can Prius Prime run when the battery charge is empty? Even when the battery charge is empty, Prius Prime will continue operating in hybrid mode as long as there is enough fuel in the gas tank, so you don't have to worry about running out of the battery power while on a longer trip.

What is the best year of the Prius?

Looking for the best year Prius to buy used, huh? Great choice, Priuses are known for their reliability and fuel efficiency. The 2012-2015 Prius models are often considered the sweet spot.

What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?

A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.

  • Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
  • Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
  • Unintended Acceleration. ...
  • Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
  • Prius Headlight Problems. ...
  • Prius Brake Defects. ...
  • Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.

How many miles will a 2019 Prius last?

A well-maintained 2019 Toyota Prius can last around 300,000 miles, which is longer than some other hybrid cars like the Ford Fusion Energi. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than many other competitors, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $364 per year.

Is Toyota Prius Prime a safe car?

2024 Toyota Prius Prime Crash Test Results

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime the highest rating of Good in all four crash tests conducted. The Prius Prime also received the second-highest rating of Acceptable for how well its headlights illuminate the road.

Which year Toyota Prius is best?

The 2012-2015 Prius models are often considered the sweet spot. These years strike a good balance between age, features, and price. Plus, they've got a solid track record for reliability. As for MPG, you're looking at some pretty good numbers.

2019 Toyota Prius prime car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Prius prime problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Wheels problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Steering problems
  • Electronic stability control (esc) problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2019 Toyota Prius prime vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2019 Toyota Prius prime complaints

The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2019 Toyota Prius prime.

2021-05-17

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-03-29
  • VIN: JTDKARFP9K3
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: I've have to take my 2019 Prius Prime (with 20,000 miles total) in twice for brake issues in 6 weeks. Each time the dealer had to deal with a rotor heat issue. The first service was on 3/29/2021, the initial reason for appt was hearing squealing from the front. Upon inspection dealer found major heat marks and deep scratches/grooves as well as the rear rotors had deep scratches as well . All 4 rotors were resurfaced and the brake pads were “scuffed” during the service. At that time all brakes were inspected with the front brakes having 9mm and rears having 8mm of pads. I started hearing grinding a grinding sound about 2 week later. I took my car in for service on 5/11/2021 where the dealer found a “rusty” color on the rotors as well as a cracked and chipped front brake pad. They started a TAS case after which they resurfaced the rotors again and replaced the front brake pads. I am concerned about this issue with my car only having 20,000 miles on it and the rotors being resurfaced twice in less than 2,000 miles between services. The rotors and pads are supposed to be designed to have a longer life than standard gas non-hybrid vehicles. Rotors are only able to be resurfaced a limited number of times, which can cause future repair costs to soar. I am in need of Toyota’s assistance in making any fixes so this does not continue to occur. As well as looking into if there is a larger brake issue within my vehicle.
2020-10-26

WHEELS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-07-24
  • VIN: JTDKARFP9K3
  • Components: WHEELS
  • Summary: PASSENGER SIDE BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT'S TIRE BLEW OUT. STARTED TO DRIVE AND CAR WAS MOVING SLOWER AND EVENTUALLY HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE CAR FELT UNSTABLE. WAS NOT GIVEN AN ALARM THAT THE TIRE WAS BLOWN AND FLAT. WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 30MPH, IN A STRAIGHT, FLAT STREET.
2020-09-26

WHEELS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-09-26
  • VIN: JTDKARFP4K3
  • Components: WHEELS
  • Summary: 10/19-LEFT REAR TIRE KEPT LOOSING PRESSURE, I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, I AGAIN TOOK IT AFTER 2 WEEKS, THEY CHANGED THE TIRE. MILES 7014. ON 9/26/20-MILES 16430, THE SAME TIRE LEFT PASSENGER BLEW OUT ON THE FREEWAY. NO INDICATOR OF TIRE PRESSURE BEING LOW CAME ON. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN OUT. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, THANKFULLY IT STOPPED ON LEFT SIDE. IT WAS VERY SCARY. NO WAS HURT, BUT I COULD HAVE DIED. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 70MPH.
2019-11-27

WHEELS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-11-26
  • VIN: JTDKARFP4K3
  • Components: WHEELS
  • Summary: 2 TOYOTA COMPLAINTS: 1) MY 2019 PRIUS PRIME 11,597 MILES: ON HWY 85 SOUTH 11/27 10:30PM GOT FLAT TIRE & DROVE TO SIDE LANE ON HWY. CALLED TOYOTA TOW SERVICE @ 10:37PM WHICH IS IN GEORGIA NOT CALIF. TOW NOT SHOW UNTIL 1:16AM 11/27 AND TOWED CAR TO DEALER. IT TOOK 20 MIN. FOR CALL CENTER IN GEORGIA TO INITIATE TOW 2) THE PRIUS PRIME DOES NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE BUT HAS A TIRE PUNCTURE REPAIR KIT. MY TIRE BEYOND PUNCTURE REPAIR. A CAR WITH NO SPARE TIRE OF ANY KIND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANYONE. 2019 PRIUS PRIMES DON'T COME WITH SPARE TIRE. THIS HAZARD FEATURE NEEDS TO CHANGE. I HAVE EXPENDED WARRANTY AND SERVICE CONTRACT AND TIRE WAS NOT COVERED SO BESIDES THE UNSAFE CONDITION MY HUSBAND ENDURED WE ALSO GOT A BILL FOR $168.19 TO REPLACE AND INSTALL THE DAMAGED TIRE. I WILL WRITE TO TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSIST. REGARDING GEORGIA CENTER DISPATCHING TOWS IN CALIF.? & TOYOTA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NO SPARE TIRE AND A DESIGN INSTEAD OF LIFT BACK MAYBE SIDE OPENING LIKE JEEP SO SPARE TIRE CAN GO ON BACK LIKE JEEP SPARE. I HAVE READ ON YELP ABOUT OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT NO SPARE TIRE.
2019-08-31

STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-08-25
  • VIN: JTDKARFP4K3
  • Components: STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
  • Summary: WHEN I DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY, IT FEELS UNSTABLE. IT GOES LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW. WE JUST BOUGHT IT LAST WEEK. TIRE PRESSURE IS GOOD AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE CAR.
2019-08-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-08-22
  • VIN: JTDKARFP7K3
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME. WHILE CHARGING THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, THE DOORS ABRUPTLY LOCKED ON THEIR OWN. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THE DOORS UNLOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,080. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
2019-04-22

TIRES,WHEELS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-04-16
  • VIN: JTDKARFP8J3
  • Components: TIRES,WHEELS
  • Summary: CAR HAD 27540 MILES ON FACTORY ORIGINAL TOYO NANOENERGY TIRES WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. I WAS 22 MILES INTO MY DRIVE HOME . NO TPS WARNING AND I HAD VISUALLY LOOKED AT MY TIRES BEFORE HEADING HOME. THE ENTIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALLS. THE SIDEWALLS STAYED WITH THE RIM AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE CAR ON THE GRASS MEDIAN. THIS TYPE OF SIDEWALL BLOWOUT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING. I WAS ON US-321 NORTH BOUND JUST AFTER THE HARDIN RD EXIT GOING 70 MPH AT TIME OF BLOWOUT. NOT IN A TURN BUT NEARLY STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING. WEATHER WAS MOSTLY SUNNY AND 65 DEGREES.

2019 Toyota Prius prime recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2019 Toyota Prius prime.

2019-07-24
  • Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
  • Summary: 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. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
  • Consequence: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
  • 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. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.

Negative 2019 Toyota Prius prime car reviews

  1. Alex Mayer 2025-01-03

    This car has the most road noise out of any car I've owned, and the low beam headlights are terrible. However, the lane departure warning is nice, and the seats are typically Toyota - very supportive and comfortable. The fit and finish are typical Toyota perfection. Overall, I believe this is the most reliable and affordable EV on the market, although it should be noted that it is not a luxury car.

  2. Jamal Sanford 2024-11-27

    I've owned this car for just under 6 months now and overall, I find it very comfortable with a smooth ride and good acceleration. However, there are a few oversights that can be frustrating. Firstly, there is no way to open the trunk from inside the car and the trunk itself is manual, heavy and very high. It would be great if there was an automatic trunk open feature like many other cars have. Secondly, the AC operation button to cool the car before you get in is not very practical. It only works from about 15 feet away and turns off when you open the car door, so there's not enough time for the car to cool down before you turn it off. Thirdly, the front window visors are short and cannot be extended when rotating the visor to the sides. This is a feature that I have seen in other American and Japanese cars and it would be great if it was included in this car too. Lastly, I was disappointed to find out that the system cannot connect to an iPad, even though the option is listed in the sources. It would be nice to access my audio books in this technologically advanced vehicle! Overall, these are minor inconveniences that I encounter almost daily. Despite these issues, I still enjoy driving this car.

  3. Kareem Beatty 2024-11-18

    My round trip commute is 80 miles and I have found the mpg to be great. However, I have had some trouble with the lack of CarPlay and navigation system, which can be frustrating. I have had to resort to using phone holders, even with an 11'' screen, which is not ideal. Unfortunately, there are no ETune apps available and it seems that they have been dropped. The car runs on ETune 2.0 and there are no plans for updates or to allow adding 3rd party apps such as Waze. Additionally, there are no plans to allow updates to ETune 3.0 or to retrofit the 2020 head unit to support CarPlay. Overall, I have some regrets about buying this car.

  4. Omari Simonis 2024-10-29

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my 2018 Toyota Prius that I purchased in February 2019. I've driven about 6 thousand miles so far, but unfortunately, I had an accident 4 weeks ago due to unintended acceleration. It was a scary experience, but thankfully no one was hurt. Since then, I've been trying to get in touch with Toyota to investigate the case, but they have been quite slow in responding. I'm still waiting to hear from them. I understand that these types of complaints can take some time to resolve, but I was surprised by how bureaucratic Toyota has been in dealing with the case. As you may know, Toyota sells 3 million vehicles in North America every year, so I had high hopes for their customer service. I'll be sure to keep you posted on any developments every week. Thanks for listening!

  5. Hector Conroy 2024-09-19

    Although this vehicle is great on gas, it is uncomfortable in every other aspect. The seat is particularly uncomfortable and can worsen back pain. Additionally, the low seat and large center console can cause leg discomfort. However, it is important to note that the car's discomfort is subjective and may vary from person to person.

Positive 2019 Toyota Prius prime car reviews

  1. Reed Willms 2025-06-11

    I recently traded in my 13-year old Honda Fit for a more environmentally friendly vehicle, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. I opted for a slightly used 2018 Prius Prime Advanced, which had only 7480 miles on it, and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. While I loved my Fit, the Prime is much quieter, more comfortable, and significantly more energy efficient. It offers both hybrid and pure electric modes, making it far less polluting than even my Fit, which was rated as an 'ultra low emission vehicle'. In fact, the EPA rates the Prime at 78 grams of pollution per mile in hybrid mode, compared to 287 grams per mile for the Fit, and of course, zero pollution in electric mode. The Prime also offers three driving modes: 'economy', 'normal', and 'power', but I have found that the economy mode provides adequate zip for merging with traffic on the freeway without sacrificing energy efficiency. However, the other modes are available if needed. In terms of energy efficiency, the EPA predicts up to 25 miles on a full battery charge, but I have consistently been getting 30 to 35 miles on a charge, and have been able to do all my local driving in the Asheville NC area in pure electric mode, averaging a little over 5 miles per kWh over 500 miles so far. The EPA also rates the Prime at 53 mpg on the highway, but during a test trip through the western NC mountains, down to Atlanta and back, I used only 8.136 gallons of gas for 493 miles (60+ mpg) using hybrid mode only. I purchased a Poniie PN2000 electric monitor through Amazon to measure charging electricity, so I have exact electric use data per mile. I believe that the EPA instrumentation is unable to account for the significant amount of battery recharging that occurs from downhill runs and momentum charging that happens on slow-downs for stop lights. Overall, this is a beautifully engineered vehicle, and I personally love the sleek styling as well. The only downside, which may be an issue for some, is the lower luggage capacity.The Prius Prime has slightly less capacity than a regular Prius due to its larger battery, but with the rear seats folded down, there is still plenty of room for baggage for two people. Although I miss being able to put my bike in the back, the greatly improved energy efficiency and significantly lower environmental impact make it a fair tradeoff. As an update, I recently completed a round trip from Asheville, NC to Plainfield, IN, covering slightly over 500 miles each way, plus another 100 miles of partly local driving using the hybrid engine only. I averaged just over 66 mpg for the trip, and the Prius Prime was comfortable, easily driven, and generally enjoyable. The adaptive cruise control option was a particular stress reliever, especially with multiple traffic slow-downs associated with road construction along the way. I would highly recommend the value of this option on any vehicle. After 8 months of ownership, the Prius Prime continues to exceed expectations. A second road trip of over 900 miles confirmed the previous cited road mileage of mid 60s, while after a little over 3000 miles of local battery-only (EV mode), I continue to average over 5 miles per kWh. If you're considering purchasing a Prius Prime, it's worth noting that I have a 110 ground-fault protected power outlet in my garage, making recharging even at the slow rate convenient.If you're looking for an economical choice, a slightly cheaper 'regular' Prius might be a better option than going to a charging station, even a free one, to get 35 miles of charge. It's important to keep in mind that speed is the enemy of economy with any vehicle. During my experience, driving over 75 miles on fairly flat Interstate at 68 to 70 mph lowered my mpg to just less than car-reported 58. However, I seem to do better in mountains where there is opportunity for momentum recharging of the battery on down-hills. When the speed limit dropped to 65, and my speed accordingly, overall car-reported gas mileage climbed back to 63 mpg. This appears doubly true in battery-only (EV mode). Even 65 mpg chews up stored energy rapidly, reducing my range to 28 from the usual 32 to 35 miles. Slower traffic and 35 to 45 mph speed limits are a much more efficient use of EV mode. I choose my local routes with those considerations in mind to obtain the 5.5+ miles per kWh I have been achieving. For me, the few minutes of delay are well worth it for the economic gains. The Prime defaults to battery and Eco mode every time it is started, but one can select the hybrid-only Eco-mode with the 'HV/EV' button. So, I normally save running on battery for travel on secondary roads and use only hybrid mode on fast roads or interstates. If you're not concerned with such things, you may not obtain the full value of a plug-in. I hope the above information is helpful rather than boring. Update 10/26/22: The car now has 15,970 total miles (8520 of those miles are mine.) My average EV miles per kWh have remained 5.25 with highs over 6 miles per kWh under ideal conditions and lows around 4.6 at worst. Usual EV range remains 30 to 35 miles. When I bought the car, the odometer registered 57.5 lifetime miles per gallon, but it now indicates 153.1 mpg--perhaps the best indication of how much I'm able to use pure EV mode. Because of age, not miles, my second oil change is scheduled for next week--the only cost beyond fuel and electricity.My review of 'far exceeding expectations' continues. I absolutely love this car! Edmond's asked for an update, so here's one for April 29, 2023. Although I have little to add, after 21 months of ownership, all of the above is validated. I can only add that in EV mode, temperature does make a difference. In the moderate spring weather we're currently having in Asheville, where no A/C or heat is required, my EV mileage per kWh has climbed to 5.9 miles per kilowatt, as measured by my PN2000 watt meter during charging. With free tire rotations from Discount Tire, my only maintenance over 21 months and 11,394 miles has been two oil changes and replacement windshield wipers. The lifetime gas mileage reported by the car is currently at 155.3 mpg. Over half my driving is in EV-only mode, thus the high miles per gallon. It's worth repeating, however, that availability of home charging is critical to the car's value. The car predicts 5 hours 40 minutes to go from zero to full charge, but my experience on my regular 110 circuit is under 4 hours 45 minutes, and I'm seldom charging from empty, so it's shorter. Installation of a 2-hour charging 220-volt circuit has not been worth the significant cost to me. I hope this information is helpful.

  2. Jo Murray 2025-06-04

    Yes, the fuel economy is great! My daily commute is 80 miles both ways and my Prime gets approximately 75 mpg, including the 30 miles of pure electric. The tank is only 11 gallons, but it sure goes a long way. I absolutely love it! While it is true that it can be a little noisy at some speeds and road conditions, it doesn't bother me. The acceleration is sufficient, and hitting the Power button when on hybrid power really gives the car a boost. I hardly ever use the Eco mode because it feels like the car has ED - you get the message! However, I do have a question for Toyota: why doesn't the Plus (lowest model) have a lock on the electric cord when the car is locked? It's a shame that this feature is only available on the upper models. This is also my first CVT car, and I like it. While it's true that the engine feels like it is straining when powering the car, it doesn't bother me. Overall, I am very happy with the car. Oh, by the way, the hatch doesn't have a release button inside. I'm not sure why, but I still love it despite its weaknesses!

  3. Rashawn Ward 2025-05-19

    Let's start with the less desirable features: The acceleration is what you would expect from an EV hybrid, but I have found it to be adequate for merging or passing on both city roads and highways. The Toyota entertainment system can be a bit of a nightmare, as it crashes and reboots like a Windows computer from the early 2000s. Unfortunately, the car does not support Apple CarPlay, unlike other Toyota models. However, you can use your iPhone or Android apps and Bluetooth for a perfectly fine interface. The navigation system is not the best, but it is similar to other navigation systems built into other cars. You can always use Waze, Google Maps, or a Garmin instead. The screen is nice and big, so I find that I can stick my suction-cup Garmin to it for perfect viewing rather than on the windshield. Now for the good stuff: I have had my car for a month, and I have yet to gas up. The gas level is just slightly below 'full.' That's because most of my driving is under 25 miles round trip, and I plug in each trip. So far, I am averaging 100 mpg. The car handles like my old Prius V or any other Prius for that matter. Cargo space is slightly reduced, but I find it adequate. As of April 2019, Toyota still has plenty of $4,500 tax credits to give away, unlike many other car manufacturers who have been making EVs or EV hybrids for a while. This allowed me to get the Advanced model for the price of the basic model (though I won't see that $4,500 until April 2020). Of the Advanced features, I like lane following, lane cross warning, blind-spot warning, near-hazard warning, and watch-out-for-that-car-you-can't-see-zooming-behind-you-as-you-are-backing-up warning. I don't use the auto parking system as I can park the car faster myself. The nicest little touch is the wireless recharger for your cell phone. You can just plop your phone in the phone-shaped area and not worry about the battery level.In short, I am extremely satisfied with this car, although it would be even better if the entertainment system was more user-friendly. I wanted to update my review now that I've had the car for half a year. For my daily driving needs, which are all within 30 miles round-trip, I barely need to fill up on gas. In fact, there was a two-month period where I didn't need to fill up at all! When I do take it on the highway, the handling and road noise are acceptable, although it's not quite as luxurious as a Lexus. The blind-spot warning feature is a great addition for those pesky drivers who like to hang out in your blind spot. I usually fill up the car when I'm at about 1/8 tank, and it only costs me around $25. For that, I get over 300 miles of driving, which is fantastic. The tolls on the PA, OH, and IN turnpikes actually cost me more than the gas! Overall, I average around 60 miles per gallon, which is really impressive. This car may not turn heads, but it's the perfect example of the benefits of plug-in hybrids. If you do mostly local driving but occasionally need to hit the road, this is the car for you. All-electric vehicles just don't cut it if you need to travel more than 30 miles, and all-gasoline vehicles are terrible for the environment. Plug-in hybrids are the way to go!

  4. Dino Goodwin 2025-04-29

    I recently sold my Prime Advanced and upgraded to a RAV4 Prime XSE. I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional resale value of my Prime. It had been a reliable and fuel-efficient hatchback for me over the past 3 years and 48K miles. After owning a 2012 Leaf and a 2015 Ford CMax, I decided to switch to the Prius Prime for my 80-mile round trip commute from Orange County to LA. So far, it has been a solid purchase with great fuel economy and helpful features like laser cruise control and automatic braking. I am even considering replacing my wife's aging GL with a PHEV Pacifica in the near future. After 18 months and 28K miles, my Prius Prime has an impressive 96 Mpge for my commute without charging at work. The automatic emergency braking has been a game-changer for me and I would not consider buying another car without it. While I would appreciate improvements to the autopilot and more EV range, I am overall very satisfied with my Prius Prime and would love to see its technology implemented in the Sienna!

  5. Oliver Reilly 2025-04-28

    With an overall MPG average of 77.3 and 87,610 miles, this car is a joy to drive. Despite the uncomfortable front seats, it has proven to be a reliable vehicle with impressive safety features. Although I was disappointed to discover that it does not come with a spare tire, I have only experienced one flat tire. If I were to purchase a new car, I would consider the RAV4 model for its larger battery and greater EV cruise range. As someone who has previously owned a 2004 Prius with 267,000 miles, I can confidently say that I would purchase this vehicle again.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2019 Toyota Prius prime problems:

Any problems experienced with the 2019 Prius Prime? : r/PriusPrime
Any problems experienced with the 2019 Prius Prime? : r/PriusPrime
https://www.reddit.com/r/PriusPrime/comments/zf2o31/any_problems_experienced_with_the_2019_prius_prime/

Dec 7, 2022 ... Brake booster and head gaskets were an issue with 3rd gen. Some Early years of the 4th gen and Prime had coolant loss from a leak into the ...

2019 Toyota Prius Prime Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2019 Toyota Prius Prime Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/toyota/prius-prime/2019/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2019 Toyota Prius Prime? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...

what do you NOT like about your Prius Prime? : r/PriusPrime
what do you NOT like about your Prius Prime? : r/PriusPrime
https://www.reddit.com/r/PriusPrime/comments/xbypir/what_do_you_not_like_about_your_prius_prime/

Sep 12, 2022 ... The car is very low. The door scrapes on curbs when trying to open the door. The infotainment system is shitty. The gps is useless. The fake ...

2019 Toyota Prius Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
2019 Toyota Prius Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/report/toyota/prius/2019

Sep 21, 2023 ... Common problems reported on the 2019 Toyota Prius include worn-out window regulators, issues with the auto-park system, and excessive noise from ...

2019 Toyota Prius Reliability - Consumer Reports
2019 Toyota Prius Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/prius/2019/reliability/

Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Brakes · Exhaust · Paint And Trim · Steering And Suspension · In-car Electronics · Body Hardware · EV Battery · Engine Cooling.

Other years of Toyota Prius prime

toyota prius prime 2020 photo
Prius prime 2020
Toyota

14

1

25

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota prius prime 2021 photo
Prius prime 2021
Toyota

6

0

30

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota prius prime 2022 photo
Prius prime 2022
Toyota

8

1

20

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota prius prime 2017 photo
Prius prime 2017
Toyota

132

0

41

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota prius prime 2018 photo
Prius prime 2018
Toyota

11

0

34

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota prius prime 2019 photo
Prius prime 2019
Toyota

7

1

30

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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2019 Toyota Prius prime photo