2020 Toyota Prius problems
The Toyota Prius (/ˈpriːəs/ PREE-əss) (Japanese: トヨタ・プリウス, Hepburn: Toyota Puriusu) is a compact/small family liftback (supermini/subcompact sedan until 2003) produced by Toyota. The Prius has a hybrid drivetrain, combined with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Initially offered as a four-door sedan, it has been produced only as a five-door liftback since 2003.
The Prius was developed by Toyota to be the "car for the 21st century"; it was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, first going on sale in Japan in 1997 at all four Toyota Japan dealership chains, and subsequently introduced worldwide in 2000.
In 2011, Toyota expanded the Prius family to include the Prius v, an MPV, and the Prius c, a subcompact hatchback. The production version of the Prius plug-in hybrid was released in 2012. The second generation of the plug-in variant, the Prius Prime, was released in the U.S. in November 2016. The Prius family totaled global cumulative sales of 6.1 million units in January 2017, representing 61% of the 10 million hybrids sold worldwide by Toyota since 1997. Toyota sells the Prius in over 90 markets, with Japan and the United States being its largest markets.
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Common 2020 Toyota Prius problems
The Toyota Prius, known for its reliability, has some common problems reported by owners of the 2020 model. These issues are not widespread and generally do not affect the majority of the vehicles, but it is essential to be aware of them when considering purchasing this model.
- Incorrect Reading on Fuel Gauge: Another common problem reported by owners of the 2020 Toyota Prius is an incorrect reading on the fuel gauge. This issue can usually be corrected via a recalibration procedure.
- Illuminated Check Engine Light due to Three-Way Coolant Control Valve Failure: The third most common problem reported by owners of the 2020 Toyota Prius is a check engine light that illuminates due to three-way coolant control valve failure. This issue is associated with the fault code P1121 and requires a valve replacement to rectify.
Additionally, the 2020 Toyota Prius has some other issues reported by owners, although they are not as common as the ones mentioned above.
- Excessive Brake Wear: Some 2020 Toyota Prius owners have reported excessive brake wear, particularly around 15,000 miles. The front brakes tend to wear down quicker than on other cars. Changing out the front brake pads costs around $150, while rotors cost around $300 if they've been damaged too.
- Noise from the Wheels: Noise from the wheels has been reported by some 2020 Prius owners around 30,000 miles. This issue is usually caused by a worn-out wheel bearing, which has to be replaced. Changing out a wheel bearing costs around $350, depending on local labor rates.
- Delayed Gear Changes: Some owners have mentioned delayed gear changes within the first 1,500 miles. Transmission control module software updates can improve the speed of the CVT. Most dealerships will install these updates for free during normal servicing, while others charge around $100.
Despite these common problems, the 2020 Toyota Prius has no recalls, which is better than many other small cars on the market.
What is the common problem with Toyota Prius?
The most commonly reported issues for different Toyota Prius model years include cracked windshields, excessive engine oil consumption, and engine issues. Depending on the model year, the Toyota Prius can also develop problems with its headlights, interior accessories, fuel gauge, transistors, and parking brake.
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.
Why did Toyota discontinue the Prius?
Declining Sales: One of the primary reasons for discontinuation was declining sales. The demand for larger hybrid vehicles, like SUVs and crossovers, increased over time, while the market for compact hybrid wagons like the Prius V declined. Buyers were shifting towards vehicles that offered more space and versatility.
How long does a Prius battery last?
8-10 years
The average battery life of a Toyota Prius is 8-10 years or around 150,000 miles. Regarding battery life, the Prius is one of the most reliable cars on the road. The hybrid battery is designed to maintain its charge over the car's life and should last as long as the car itself.
Is a 2020 Toyota Prius reliable?
How Reliable Is the 2020 Toyota Prius? The 2020 Toyota Prius has a predicted reliability score of 64 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
What is the common problem with Toyota Prius?
The most commonly reported issues for different Toyota Prius model years include cracked windshields, excessive engine oil consumption, and engine issues. Depending on the model year, the Toyota Prius can also develop problems with its headlights, interior accessories, fuel gauge, transistors, and parking brake.
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.
Is Prius high maintenance?
It's important to note that while the maintenance costs for a Prius are generally lower, there are some maintenance tasks specific to hybrid vehicles that can be more costly. These include servicing the electric motors and battery, which may require specialized knowledge and equipment.
2020 Toyota Prius car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Prius problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Unknown or other problems
- Service brakes problems
- Electrical system problems
- Tires problems
- Back over prevention problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Toyota Prius vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2020 Toyota Prius complaints
The NHTSA has received 12 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Toyota Prius.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-16
- VIN: JTDL9RFU1L3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: About a year ago and again a few days ago, I was slowly moving my Prius forward when suddenly it accelerated at full speed. The first time I was pulling into a parking spot beyond which was a grassy area and then a stockade fence. When I felt the car lurch forward, I slammed on the brakes, but was still going quite fast. Fortunately, the collision avoidance brakes kicked in and stopped the car just before I hit the fence. In the second case, I was slowly pulling into a parking lot when again the car surged forward. This time I was able to stop the motion with the brakes myself . In both cases I was conscious of moving my foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal. In both cases it was a hot summer day, near 90.
BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-07
- VIN: JTDKARFU5L3
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: After heavy rains, the car says the park assist doesn't work, as well as the parking sensor system. There is a warning sign that says it doesn't work.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-16
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTDKARFUXL3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: On May 16, 2023 I was slowly driving out of a market parking lot when the car suddenly accelerated, full throttle, and speeded across the street (Colusa Avenue, Berkeley, CA), crashing head on into a fence. Immediately after the crash, the dashboard displayed the following: "Check Engine (!) A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected. Contact your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected." The car was towed and is now at a body shop selected by my insurance company, AAA. I received whiplash, small bruises on my chest and left hand, and a scraped shin. I was taken to Alta Bates Emergency by ambulance.
SERVICE BRAKES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-03
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTDKARFU0L3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Attempted to park in my garage and overshot the turn. The brake then failed to stop and I dented my garage outer wall. I reversed my car and tried to reposition it to go inside the garage, putting it on drive. However, the brake pedal made the car accelerate and the car went on reverse. It then crashed into the neighbor's garage and crashed the door and car inside. Both the car inside the garage and the garage itself (along with the inside of the house) have been damaged.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-10
- VIN: JTDL9RFUXL3
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: Ballooning on side wall of tire. When brought to dealer, they indicated that three other tires had same problem but not as obvious. Car had only 24k miles, with half these on these tires (rest on snow tires). Dealer reported that this was a serious danger.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-20
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTDKARFU6L3
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while, driving approximately 5 mph, making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb, and crashed into the bushes. The brake pedal was applied however, failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, police report or air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however no further assistance was provided. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 15,670.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-06
- VIN: JTDL9RFU9L3
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: I was making a left turn into my subdivision after a full stop. My speed was no more than 5 MPH. The Toyota dealer informed me that the sidewall had blown and was not repairable. They had no definitive cause as to why the tire blew. The tire was retained by the dealer. The tire size is P 195/65R15 and is a Toyo NanoEnergy A41 Tire. It was original equipment on the Toyota Prius as built in Japan. I have found that the tire has no manufacturer's warranty. I just returned from a vacation three days ago driving from Hilton Head Island, SC. Had this happened on the interstate system, the results to me, my wife, or other drivers could have been very different. To the best of my knowledge, the tire has not been inspected by any party. I was not given any tire DOT information on the new tire.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-12-14
- VIN: JTDKARFU7L3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: ORIGINAL TIRES FROM DEALERSHIP
POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-06
- Components: POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
- Summary: 2020 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NEEDING TRANSMISSION REPAIR AFTER VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AXEL RODS, RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED, STEERING ISSUES,. REAR WHEEL ISSUES, AND BUMPER REPLACEMENT. *JS
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-10
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTDL9RFU4L3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: MY DAD WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. HE SAID THAT HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. HE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE ALL AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE CAR ONLY HAD 700 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT MY DAD DROVE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. MY MOM, WHO WAS A PASSENGER, SAID THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY QUICKLY. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS CAR, MY DAD HAD DRIVEN A PRIUS (2010 - 2012?), SO HE WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FEEL OF THE PRIUS. THE CLAIM # IS [XXX]. ATTACHED PLEASE FIND THE POLICE REPORT AS WELL AS A PICTURE OF THE TOTALED CAR. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY PARENTS.*DT CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-05-21
- VIN: JTDKARFU1L3
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: PROXIMITY SENSORS GENERATED AN ALERT THAT PARKING ASSISTANCE SENSORS NEEDED CLEANING DURING MODERATE RAIN CLEANING THE SENSORS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. STOPPED AT DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR DO THAT IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND I WOULD NEED TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT. IF IT WAS JUST THE PARKING SENSORS IT WOULD NOT BE AS SIGNIFICANT BUT I DID DETERMINE THE FRONT ACCIDENT ASSISTANCE DID NOT FUNCTION AS IT SHOULD HAVE - AS I APPROACHED A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WITH CRUISE CONTROL THE SPEED REDUCTION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO OCCUR DID NOT HAPPEN. HAD I NOT BEEN CHECKING TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE PROXIMITY SENSORS WERE MALFUNCTIONING IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. I DID NOT ATTEMPT ANY OTHER ACTIONS WHICH RELY ON PROXIMITY SENSORS TO FUNCTION AS I DID NOT WANT TO CAUSE OR BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME AND I EXPECT THAT ALTHOUGH THE ALERT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED PARKING SENSORS, THE FACT THAT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW AS TOYOTA HAS INDICATED IT SHOULD LEADS BE TO BELIEVE THAT ANY AND ALL "DRIVER ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES" MAY FAIL WHEN THAT ALERT OCCURS RESULTING IN POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES THE VSC OFF INDICATOR WAS FLASHING AT THE TIME. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-03-27
- VIN: JTDKARFU3L3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE MULTI INFORMATION DISPLAY THAT SHOWS THE SPEED, FUEL, AND OTHER DRIVING METRICS STOPPED WORKING, I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING, HOW MUCH FUEL IS LEFT, ODOMETER OR OTHER ITEMS THAT IS DISPLAYED THERE.
Negative 2020 Toyota Prius car reviews
Positive 2020 Toyota Prius car reviews
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I absolutely love the Prius! This is actually my second one. I bought a used 2014 Prius for my daughter as a graduation present in 2019, and I loved it so much that I bought a used 2019 Prius LE for myself in 2020. When it comes to cars, I always look for dependability, reliability, and great gas mileage, and the Prius definitely delivers on all fronts. Some people say it's too small, but I'm 5'8 and I find it to be the perfect size - about the same as a Toyota Corolla. Plus, it's packed with features that I've come to appreciate, like the blind spot monitor, cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and parking assist. The ride is comfortable for me, but if you're looking for something plush, this might not be the car for you. The only downsides are that the car is a little low to the ground (which can be a bit of a challenge) and the glove box could be bigger. Overall, it's a fantastic car for driving in the city and taking small trips. I've even taken it on a long road trip from Atlanta, GA to Panama City, FL without any issues. The only thing I wish is that the LE model came with 17
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I really enjoy my Toyota, but there is one thing that bothers me a bit. It seems like Toyota caters more towards Apple users, which makes it difficult for me to access all the extras since I have an Android phone instead of an iPhone.
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I'm not one to write reviews, but I just had to make an exception for the 2019 Prius. It's simply amazing! Over the last 200 miles or so, I've been averaging an incredible 63 miles per gallon. That's right, 63 mpgs! The ride is much firmer than in previous Prius generations, making it feel less like a heavy cloud on wheels and more like a car. The acceleration is good, the steering is easy, and did I mention the fuel economy? The cabin is quiet and roomy, comfortably fitting my family of 5 with plenty of space in the trunk compartment. Syncing through Bluetooth is a breeze, although I must admit that Apple CarPlay would be a nice addition. If you're in the market for a spacious, effortlessly drivable car with amazing efficiency, I highly recommend giving the 2019 Prius a try!
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Bought 2019 AWD Prius new, now has 50,000 on it and still great! I absolutely love the great gas mileage and the power mode. I would definitely buy another one!
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I have owned this car for one year and driven almost 13,000 miles, mostly in the city. My average fuel economy is 70mpg! This vehicle is amazingly efficient. The hatchback design also gives it great cargo volume and utility. I highly recommend this vehicle for urban commuting.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2020 Toyota Prius problems:
Is there any downside to a Toyota Prius at any year ? : r/askcarguys
Oct 20, 2023 ... You fix all the common problems and it's still good for another 100 to 200k miles. I'd recommend another car if you want to enjoy your driving ...
2020 Toyota Prius Prime Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
2020 Toyota Prius Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Exhaust · EV Battery · Steering And Suspension · Fuel System/Emissions · Electric Motor · In-car Electronics · Brakes.
2020 Toyota Prius Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Oct 24, 2023 ... Common problems found on the 2020 Toyota Prius include excessive brake wear, noise from the wheels, along with some delayed gear changes.
Prius trunk LEAKS pictures compilation - common problem areas ...
ironically, this plugs are very water tight and you can fill the entire trunk with water without leaking any. don't ask why is the bottom frame ...
Other years of Toyota Prius
Are you having problems with your 2020 Toyota Prius?
Keyshawn Dach 2024-09-16
My wife and I bought this vehicle to replace our 2016 Highlander. Unfortunately, we couldn't turn in the lease due to over mileage charges, so we were stuck buying another Toyota. On the bright side, the mileage returns about 45 with snow tires and even more with all season tires. The lights are very bright, but I found myself being flashed by other drivers more than a few times. The safety features, such as the blind spot monitoring and lane assist, work well. However, the beeping when placed in reverse is a bit unnecessary. On the downside, Toyota seems to struggle with making a set of rotors or brake system that works properly. The rotors are shot at 18500 miles, and it doesn't matter which Toyota we buy (this is our tenth), as they are all just as troublesome as the last. The car is quite low, so if you encounter any kind of irregularities, you will scrape the bottom. The motor is noisy and sounds noisy until it warms up. Power for this vehicle is underwhelming to say the least. I have owned many 4 cylinder vehicles, and this one needs more power. The interior is also quite plain with pointy plastic trim waiting to hit you in the knee as you slide into the driver's seat. The seats are just okay, not the most comfortable for long trips. There are many plastic pieces on the exterior that look like they were just placed there at the last minute. It's clear that the quality has gone down on most every vehicle out there, and this car is no exception. It used to be that when you bought Japanese quality, you obtained a better car. Unfortunately, this is not the case anymore. I am sure that many parts are sourced from China and make it into this car when manufactured. As I browse the Toyota lot, I see how the prices just keep increasing year to year, but the quality has not kept up. In my opinion, it's not worth buying a new car, as they are too pricey and all of them are questionable quality.If you need a new car, consider leasing it. This way, you won't be tied down to it. Personally, this will be the last time we buy a new car. We plan to either use Uber or public transit.
Jo Steuber 2024-09-04
The car has quite high mileage for a 2020 model. Also, the inside passenger side appeared to be either dirty or worn. During the test drive, the acceleration seemed a bit sluggish.