2021 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 2021 Toyota Prius problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2021 Toyota Prius, several common problems have been reported:
- Broken Windshields: Owners have reported broken windshields, with some occurring within the first 5,000 miles. Certain production runs of glass are more prone to cracking when chipped, leading to replacement costs of around $500 depending on local labor rates.
- Excessive Wheel Noise: Some Prius models experience excessive wheel noise around 20,000 miles due to front wheel bearings wearing out quickly compared to other cars. Replacing the bearings is labor-intensive and costs around $400.
- Chipping Paint: Owners have mentioned chipping paint issues around 10,000 miles, particularly on the edges of the front bumper when hit with stones. Repair options include touching up the bumper for under $100 or repainting the entire bumper for around $1,000.
- Battery Replacement: Around 200,000 miles, owners should be prepared to replace the battery pack, which can cost up to $7,000.
- Maintenance Costs: Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than average at $398 per year. At 100,000 miles, owners may need to replace the brake hose for $200, coolant temperature sensor for $350, and the A/C expansion valve for $425.
These issues, although common among some 2021 Toyota Prius owners, are relatively minor compared to other small cars on the market. It's important for Prius owners to address these problems promptly to ensure the longevity and performance of their vehicles.
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.
What is the downside of owning a Prius?
In addition, the Prius has a serious issue with road noise. If you're someone who can't stand the wind and engine noises, you'll likely hate driving this hybrid car. For this reason, we can only recommend the Prius for city driving because the cabin noise becomes an issue at highway speeds.
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.
How reliable is the 2021 Prius?
The 2021 Prius has a predicted reliability score of 74 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.
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.
2021 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:
- Engine problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
- Lane departure problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Toyota Prius vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2021 Toyota Prius complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Toyota Prius.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-14
- VIN: JTDKAMFUXM3
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 - 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The contact swerved around the vehicle in front and ended up on the opposite side of the roadway. The contact attempted to avoid oncoming traffic and swerving around all the other vehicles and ended up in a ravine. The contact's husband depressed the START/STOP button from the passenger’s side to turn off the vehicle, enabling the vehicle to come to a stop. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued to drive the vehicle to the dealer at slow speeds. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the dealer. The failure mileage was 56,000.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-04
- VIN: JTDL9MFU3M3
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: The Lane keeping assist used in radar cruise control mode during some drive cycles will attempt to maintain the vehicle position to the far extreme of the lane and in some cases actively veer out of the lane. My safety ant others can be put at risk when the vehicle behaves outside of its design parameters like this. To solve the issue the vehicle must be pulled over, turned off, then restarted. After the restart it will resume functioning normally, maintaining lane positioning as intended within the limits of the system. The trigger for this is unknown but could be speculated that it is drive cycle dependent and may start during initialization. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or service center due to its intermittent nature. There are no warning indicators or lamps on when this occurs.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-08
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTDKAMFU0M3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: The car accelerated without my foot on the accelerator, brake did not respond, and I had to drive through grass and a rock-filled ditch until after about 10 seconds the car returned to my control.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-02-26
- VIN: JTDKAMFU6M3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: CARBON MONOXIDE SEEPS INTO THE PASSENGER CAR BUT DILLER CANNOT FIND IT AND DID NOT HAVE TOOLS TO DETECT CO LEVEL IN THE CAR. I CAN'T USE THIS CAR BECAUSE WAS POISONED MANY TIMES AND AFTER A SECOND CHECK-UP, THE LEVEL OF CO BECOMES HIGHER SO I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT POISONING. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM WORRYING TO SELL MY CAR BECAUSE OTHER DRIVER WILL GET INJURY. THIS IS THE NEW CAR ONLY 7000 MILES.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-03-23
- VIN: JTDKAMFU8M3
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON THE I 4 WE HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 200 MILES ON IT SO IT WAS BRAND NEW. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND OBJECT IN THE TIRE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE PROBLEM THE ONLY CONCLUSION I COULD COME TO IS THAT THIS TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I COULD HAVE RUN OVER A LARGE OBJECT OR A LARGE POTHOLE, WHICH I DOUBT.
Negative 2021 Toyota Prius car reviews
Positive 2021 Toyota Prius car reviews
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I've owned many cars over the years. In 2014, I rented a Prius and really enjoyed driving it. Recently, I got tired of constantly filling up my tank with gas and decided to do some research on Prii. I discovered that they are made in Japan and are known for their legendary reliability. After test driving several Prii, I decided on a gray LE model with black interior. I've been driving it for about 3 weeks and have already put 1,200 miles on it. I love how quiet and smooth it is to drive. I've only had to fill up the tank twice, which is a welcome relief. It's not that I can't afford gas, I just hate stopping to fill up. With a range of about 350-400 miles, I no longer feel the need to fill up after a 200-mile trip. I can't imagine going back to a conventional car that gets conventional mileage. While larger vehicles have their place, I think many people would be pleased if they tried a Prius and were honest about their needs. I am extremely happy with my purchase. UPDATE, 10/12: I still love this car. With around 8,000 miles on it, I've only used 134 gallons of gasoline, which comes out to about $0.51 per mile. The air conditioning is the coldest and most effective system I've experienced. While I'm hoping the heat will be just as effective in the winter, I do wish the steering wheel would telescope out further. Overall, I'm very happy with my Prius.The automatic locking system should work on all doors, not just the driver's door. It would be more convenient if the car had a proximity sensor that unlocks the doors when you're near the car, without having to push the buttons on the fob. Additionally, a self-dimming rear mirror would be a great feature to have. While this is a basic car, higher trim levels may address these wants. I am very impressed with this car and do not plan on getting rid of it. However, I could see myself getting a Camry or a RAV4 hybrid to supplement this vehicle when my significant other's car nears time for replacement. The fuel range is phenomenal, and I love driving the car. I bought it to take us places on the weekends so we don't have to think about gas, and it has exceeded my expectations. I rarely go below a half-tank, which means we travel about 300 miles and consume about 5 gallons of fuel doing so. As of April 17th, 2022, I have owned 'Alice' for more than a year and over 13k miles. I still love the car and enjoy driving it every time. The MPG dipped to high 40s/low 50s over the winter but is rebounding to mid to upper 50s as it's getting warmer. One of the many things I love is leaving the car 'on' with the heat running while getting gas because the engine stays off and I re-enter a toasty car. The biggest thing I dislike is how low the Prius is. They make lift-kits for these, and honestly, 1 1/2' of height would be terrific. I'm not buying a lift-kit, but it would be helpful. The car is great, and I still think 80% of motorists could get by with a Prius. I love my little putt-putt!! As of October 18th, 2022, I still love my putt-putt, Alice. I have no complaints or problems, and there have been no unusual maintenance issues. The car has just passed 20k miles, and there's a little wear on the fabric seats, but I have to remind myself it's just a cheap little car. I may look into getting some colorful seat covers...I really enjoy not having to worry about my car's maintenance or anything else besides pushing the start button and driving. Although I inherited a CRV recently and appreciate the extra space and higher ground clearance, I find it frustrating how much gas it uses compared to my Prius. Speaking of which, my Prius has been incredibly dependable and I still love driving it. With about 27,000 miles on it, it has averaged just over 56 mpg over the past 10 fill-ups, and I expect this to increase with warmer temperatures. The Prius and CRV make a great vehicular combo, with one offering tons of cargo space, AWD, and ground clearance, and the other providing terrific comfort and excellent mpg. I went to see the new Prii and while they're more powerful, they're also smaller inside, so I remain extremely pleased with mine. I give it five stars and two thumbs up! With nearly 38K miles on it, I've only needed oil changes, new wipers, a new cabin air filter, and new tires. I even make money driving the car with the current IRS reimbursement rate, and every time I get into it, it feels like my new car. When I got new tires, the dealer offered me a 2023 Prius as a loaner. I liked the extra power, but the interior felt smaller, and I disliked how the steering wheel obstructed the instrument panel. If they bring the bright yellow to the US, however, I may have to get one. In the meantime, I'm loving my '21 Prius, Alice!
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In the beginning of the month, I was in a terrible car crash. A semi hit my car and I drove into a concrete wall on the freeway at 75 miles an hour. Despite the severity of the accident, I am grateful to be alive. My Prius, which I loved, was unfortunately totaled, but I believe it played a crucial role in saving my life. I did sustain some injuries, including four broken bones and a lacerated knee, but I was able to walk away from the accident. It's truly unbelievable!
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Recently upgraded to an AWD Prius. Our driveway has always been a challenge, but the new Prius makes it effortless. We're really enjoying everything about it so far. It's worth noting that Toyota has made some great improvements since our 2014 model, including removing the blind spot between the rear windows.
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We've been driving the AWD-e for three months now and we're still really happy with it. It's such a relaxing car to drive in the city and super efficient on the highway. The size is perfect for getting around town and the parking assist is really fun to use. The rear cross traffic alert is also incredibly useful and the car is so quiet. While the MPG in town hasn't been fantastic during the winter, it's improved a lot now that the weather has warmed up a bit. Since purchasing the car, we've been averaging 49.6 mpg, and on a trip to PA we even got over 60 mpg on the highway. The driver assist radar cruise control makes stop/go highway traffic so much less tiring. Under normal conditions, the car is quiet enough, but it can get a little rough under harder acceleration (although we made sure to follow the break-in period directions). We chose this car over the quicker RAV 4 hybrid because the handling in the Prius is much better, especially on winding back roads. We didn't go for the Prius Prime because the battery takes up so much trunk space on what would otherwise be a great car. Similarly, we didn't choose the Honda Insight because the front passenger seat is so low that it's difficult to get out of and it's not height adjustable.
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Congratulations on your new 2021 Prius XLE! It's great to hear that this is your fourth Prius and that it's your favorite so far. The heated seats and steering wheel, safety features, Alexa and Android Auto, and leather all sound like fantastic additions. It's impressive to hear that the fuel mileage is so high, with 55 mpgs on the highway and over 60 mpgs in the city. The handling and power of the car also seem to have improved, which is wonderful to hear. It's great that the car drives so solidly and without any rattles or odd noises. Overall, it sounds like you have found the perfect car for you!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Toyota Prius problems:
2021 Toyota Prius Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2021 Toyota Prius? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Is there any downside to a Toyota Prius at any year ? : r/askcarguys
Oct 20, 2023 ... I used to have a 2006 Prius and had no problems ... common issue, most solved with headgasket in a bottle. ... I drive a 2021 Prius Prime Limited.
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Other years of Toyota Prius
Are you having problems with your 2021 Toyota Prius?
Nicklaus Dietrich 2025-10-11
This review is based on two different long test drives. During our first test drive, we drove an XLE with AWD and appreciated the open interior, standard features, and good cargo capacity. However, we were disappointed with the ride quality and the engine performance. The engine was extremely underpowered and coarse, making it loud and rough under anything more than medium acceleration. It sounded like a 20-year-old car that needed an oil change when coming up to highway speeds. We returned the next day to drive a different Prius, this time with FWD, thinking it might be the way the AWD is implemented that's causing the roughness. Unfortunately, we had the same result. We drove lots of other makes and models and found that all had engines that were lightyears ahead of this one. Our other complaint was the dash panel and driver interface, which appeared very dated. Other competitors have crisper displays with more focused and sensible layouts. The Prius looks like it was developed 10 years ago to wow the driver with technology. It needs a refresh. However, we found a far better car in the Hyundai Ioniq. It has similar gas mileage and slightly less cargo, but a WAY better engine and driving dynamics. It's actually fun to drive and spend time in. It has similar features and pricing, so we highly recommend checking it out if you're considering a Prius.
Chet Bednar 2025-09-13
We recently purchased a 2021 Prius, after having a great experience with our 2014 model. Unfortunately, we were disappointed to find out that this new model did not come with a GPS system and only had one glove compartment instead of two. Additionally, we were unaware that it did not come with a spare tire, which caused a major inconvenience when we experienced a flat tire due to a broken sensor. We had to spend several hours resolving the issue, which was frustrating. We hope that Toyota will consider bringing back the spare tire option, as it would have saved us a lot of time and hassle. We also learned that this is a common issue, which is concerning. Overall, we still enjoy our Prius, but we hope that these issues can be addressed in the future.
Braeden Stanton 2024-11-28
I recently purchased this car after being very happy with my 2008 Prius. Although they didn't have a similar model in stock, the salesman convinced me that this car would be just as great. While it is my first time with AWD, there are a few things that have been disappointing. Firstly, the fact that the car doesn't come with a spare tire has been a bit of a nightmare. I've had two flats and dealing with the warranty has been a headache. The wait times to fix the tire have been long and frustrating. Secondly, the storage space is not as good as my older Prius, despite the car being bigger. There are fewer storage compartments and no cute secret compartments like before. Thirdly, the buttons on the steering wheel, especially for phone calls, are super sensitive to touch. If you turn the wheel, something might turn on or off accidentally. Fourthly, you have to click the remote four times to get all four doors to open, and if you try to open the doors from the passenger side with your remote, they won't open. They will only open from the driver's side, unlike the 2008 model. Fifthly, there is no GPS unless you download the Toyota app, which has been a bit of a disappointment. Sixthly, the windshield got dented from something on the road and the dent turned into a long crack, probably from the heat of the summer. While I was happy to find out that I had a warranty to cover this, I was disappointed to learn that the crack couldn't be too long. Seventhly, the car is quite low to the ground and I didn't realize this until I parked and felt the curb scratching the bottom of the front bumper. Eighthly, the choices of color are limited and I ended up going with blue. Lastly, I initially wanted to return the car within a month, but decided to keep it for a few more months. However, less than 5 months later, I definitely wanted to return it as I had no use for AWD.Too late. 10) I really like how the car gives you a grade- A, B, C, D, or even an F to tell you how well you're driving. However, what I don't like is that every time I accelerate to pick up speed, it accelerates very slowly, almost as if it's gasping for air. But that's not a big deal- I'll just go slow.
Carson Breitenberg 2024-06-22
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.
Bryce Huels 2024-03-28
The 2020 Prius AWD-e gets great mileage and the AWD system works well, especially on wet gravel (although I haven't had the chance to try it in the snow yet). While some have criticized the engine, I have other concerns. Every time I get into my car, I feel like Toyota is stuck in the past. The software is unfinished and unacceptable for a commercial product, and Toyota chooses to leave its customers with broken software instead of issuing bugfixes. I first noticed this issue when I tried to buy a 2016 Prius and found that some couldn't display km/h, which was frustrating for someone who travels to Canada frequently. Toyota could have easily released a software patch, but instead, they told owners to buy a new Prius. However, when I bought my 2020 Prius, the problem was solved. While the car does seem to do OTA updates, the software still has some issues. For example, it can display km/h and l/100km, but not temperature in Centigrade, only Fahrenheit. Additionally, if you try to engage cruise control while in engine-braking mode, it fails silently. Despite these issues, I'm still happy with my Prius and hope that Toyota will continue to improve their software in the future.Took me a long time to debug that one! Every time you plug in your phone to the USB port to charge, it pops up a couple of error messages on your phone telling you that you need to install Entune, which you have to dismiss. Just go to the Android Play store and read the reviews for Entune. It's worse than useless, and it violates Android's notification policies in an intrusive way. So you have to have it, but it does nothing but annoy, whether you install it or not. Unfortunately, there is no support for Android Auto. However, some Toyotas have this feature, so it's not like they don't know how. They just didn't feel like it? If you want to use standard Bluetooth commands to control your phone's media player from your steering wheel, you can pause, but you can't play, and it's difficult to skip to the next or previous track. There's a nice prominent I had the opportunity to purchase the Prius PHEV at a great price, but ultimately decided against it. The trunk, which is one of my favourite features of the Prius, is unfortunately not as useful in the PHEV model. Additionally, the concave rear windshield design is structurally weak and cannot accommodate a wiper blade. It seems that Toyota may need to reevaluate their design choices for the Prius.