2023 Toyota Prius problems

General information about Toyota-Prius
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

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 2023 Toyota Prius problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the 2023 Toyota Prius, here are some common problems with the vehicle:

Interior Quality: Owners have expressed concerns about the interior quality of the 2023 Prius, noting a lack of premium finishes and an abundance of hard plastics that detract from the sense of luxury expected in a modern vehicle. The base trim features a faux leather steering wheel, and to access more luxurious features like heated front seats, owners need to upgrade to higher trims, which come at a significant additional cost.
Rear Seating Space: Another common complaint revolves around the limited space in the rear seats of the 2023 Prius. While front seats are typically spacious and comfortable, the rear seats in all trims of the Prius are criticized for lacking sufficient room, making it uncomfortable for passengers in the back.
Engine Noise: Owners have reported issues with engine noise in the 2023 Prius, especially during acceleration and at high speeds. Despite efforts to reduce noise levels with sound deadening materials, the cabin noise remains a concern for some drivers, particularly when the traditional gas engine is in use.
Wireless Charging Pad: For owners opting for upper trim levels of the 2023 Prius, the wireless charging pad feature has raised some issues. While wireless charging is a convenient advancement, the lack of a built-in cooling system for the charging pad can lead to smartphones overheating during charging, posing a potential inconvenience and safety concern.
Price Increase: The 2023 Prius has seen improvements, but with these enhancements comes a rise in prices. Some owners feel that the increase in cost may not be justified compared to other vehicles in the same category. The Prius's starting price is notably higher than some competitors, leading to questions about the value proposition of the vehicle.

These common problems highlight areas where the 2023 Toyota Prius falls short according to owner feedback, encompassing issues related to interior quality, seating space, engine noise, technology features, and pricing.

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.

Why is it so hard to find a 2023 Toyota Prius?

Demand is up: The demand for hybrids has risen over the past year with rising gas prices. Also, the climate crisis has inspired more people to become more eco-friendly. Scarcity of precious metals: For the past several years, there's been a shortage of precious metals such as platinum and palladium.

Why is the 2023 Prius so expensive?

Prius is expensive because of the new redesign and all the renewed interest. That said they can be had at MSRP if you shop around a lot. The old Prius drivetrain is now in the new Corolla Hybrid. The new Prius is way nicer, cooler, and faster than the old one.

Is the 2023 Prius safe?

A pair of Toyota hybrid hatchbacks — the 2023 Toyota Prius hybrid and 2O23 Prius Prime plug-in hybrid — have earned the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the agency's highest designation.

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.

Is the 2023 Prius safe?

Why is it so hard to find a 2023 Toyota Prius?

Is new Prius reliable?

We expect the 2024 Prius will be much more reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on the 2023 model, plus the Toyota brand score.

2023 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:

Electrical system problems
Service brakes problems
Unknown or other problems
Latches/locks/linkages problems
Power train problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2023 Toyota Prius vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2023 Toyota Prius complaints

The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2023 Toyota Prius.

2024-08-08

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
VIN: JTDADABU3P3
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Summary: The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Prius. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V274000 (Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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2024-08-06

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
VIN: JTDADABU1P3
Components: POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while sitting in traffic with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle started rolling backward even though the gear shifter was in drive(D). The contact stated that upon attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond and continued to roll backward. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle responded as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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2024-06-23

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
VIN: JTDACAAU8P3
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: There are NO air vents or air flow to the rear seats. Passengers will overheat in the summer with no relief and I have no idea how this even made it on the market without vents to seats.

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2024-05-10

WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-04-16
VIN: JTDACAAU6P3
Components: WHEELS
Summary: This car is the Limited edition with 19 inch wheels. It does not come with a spare tire. The tires originally equipped on the vehicle are Michelin 195/50R19 Primacy A/S and they are NOT available to Toyota dealerships or at Tire Stores. I have one tire picked up a screw first week I owned the car, Toyota would not repair the tire, they said screw too close to edge of tire and not safe to repair or drive. Tire is not available so they sent me home with screw and I had to do repair myself, since tire is NOT available I have been driving around with this "unsafe" repair now for 6 months, tire has not fallen apart yet. next issue in April found a different tire is defective with a sidewall leak, it is under warranty but no replacement tires are available, Toyota is not taking care of this problem and has left me to handle it. Tire has to be filled sometimes 2 times a day and with sidewall coming apart is unsafe to drive.

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2024-05-07

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-05-02
VIN: JTDACAAU6P3
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: The 12 volt battery was low, apparently from opening and closing doors during a camping trip. After a few days of sitting unused, I attempted to drive the vehicle. I pushed the start button and the car indicated that it was "ready". When I went to shift the transmission into Drive, the transmission went into Neutral instead and stuck there. At the same time, "low battery" indicators began flashing and the displays started blanking out and flashing. I again attempted to shift into Drive so that I could initiate the gas engine and recharge the battery while driving. However, I could not shift out of neutral and then the car went out of "ready" mode but was still powering accessories. When I attempted to restart the car, it would not let me because it was in neutral. At this time, I tried to shift back into park (push-button) and got an error message that said, Parking Brake Unavailable. So here I am with a vehicle that I need to start to get the battery charged but it won't let me out of Neutral or into Park, which prevents it from starting. Repeated attempts to get the car into Park electronically were not successful and there is not a manual parking brake. The issue is that there was no way to exit the vehicle to get help without risk of it rolling away. And from a technical standpoint, while there was not enough power to shift into park or actuate the parking brake, the vehicle was still powering all non-critical functions like infotainment system, AC, convenience lights, windshield wipers, headlights, parking lights, etc. Some things could be powered down, others could not. It seems to me that, in the absence of a manual parking brake, powering the parking system electronically should have priority over all other systems. In short, I was stuck in the vehicle with my foot on the brake pedal to prevent a rollaway accident. Had I not realized this, I easily could have exited and been run over trying to pop my hood for a jump start. Or rolled over the people downhill.

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2024-05-06

TIRES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
VIN: JTDADABU7P3
Components: TIRES
Summary: The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Prius equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Primacy Season, Tire Size: 195/50/R19, DOT Number: (NA). The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH on several occasions, the four tires experienced blowouts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side rear tire needed to be replaced due to a sidewall failure. The tires were replaced with another brand. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Grieco Toyota (415 Taunton Ave., East Providence, RI 02914), who replaced the driver's side front and front passenger tires. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the rear passenger’s side tire. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 6,200. The tire failure mileage was approximately 6,200. The VIN was not available.

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2024-02-26

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2023-11-15
VIN: JTDACACU4P3
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: My car was less than 6 months old when a crack began to appear in the windshield. It started at the base of the windshield by the hood. There was no impact and no reason for this crack to appear, it was spontaneous. It hampers my vision and must be replaced at my expense according to the dealership. I am reporting this because I'm reading about other Prius owners who have had a similar problem.

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2023-08-25

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2023-07-23
VIN: JTDACAAU1P3
Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Summary: The car was being driven on US287 south from Wichita Falls, TX toward Fort Worth, Texas on an open road, in the middle of the afternoon, in clear sunshine, no clouds, no rain. On a stretch of the highway where the road dipped down into a gully, and had a normal rise afterwards, the automatic braking system activated, gave a warning of an impending collision and applied the brakes to stop the car HARD. Luckily, there was no traffic ahead or behind the vehicle at the time of the incident. The car came almost to a stop before it realized that there was no danger ahead of the vehicle and the automatic braking system released from the emergency situation at about 5 mph. If there had been cars on the highway following the vehicle, it is doubtful that they would have been able to slow down in time to prevent a rear end collision. The vehicle was slowed down in a maximum breaking action on an open highway, with an open road ahead of the vehicle. The system interpreted a hill ahead of the car as a danger to be avoided.

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2023-06-10

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2023-05-24
Number Of Injuries: 1
Number Of Deaths: 1
Crash: 1
VIN: JTDACAAUXP3
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: Driving at highway speed on Interstate 30. Warning lights came on the dashboard. The Prius began to stall. Could not steer vehicle to shoulder. Prius came to a stop in the outside lane of travel. Rear-ended by Tractor Trailer rig. Passenger died. Driver sustained serious injuries. Witnesses called 911 prior to the collision to report that a vehicle had stalled on the interstate with its flashers on.

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2023 Toyota Prius recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2023 Toyota Prius.

2024-07-23

Manufacturer: Gulf States Toyota, Inc.
Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Summary: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.

2024-04-17

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:SWITCHES/KNOBS/BUTTONS
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.
Consequence: A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving or during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both right and left rear door opener switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB06 and 24TA06.

Negative 2023 Toyota Prius car reviews

Omari Green 2024-08-14

The 2023 AWD is a great looking car that drives nicely, but I found the interior to be smaller and tighter than my 2007 Prius. Unfortunately, there was not enough room in the back seat for my liking, and I had some trouble getting in and out of the car without hitting my head on the door frame. If you're 5'10
Geoffrey Feil 2024-07-21

I recently received my Prius Limited after a 2-month wait. Unfortunately, just 4 days later, I picked up a screw in one of the tires. To my surprise, the $47K car did not come with a spare tire, and the odd-ball 19-inch tire size is not available in the state of Texas. Despite purchasing an extended warranty, the dealer informed me that the tires were not covered, leaving me to deal with the issue myself. However, the car runs, rides, and handles solidly, as you would expect from a Toyota. I do want to make you aware of a few quirks though. Firstly, the advertised 52/52 mpg gas mileage has not been achieved in this car. So far, I have driven from Austin Texas to San Diego twice and have not been able to get better than 36 mpg on the freeway. Around town, it averages between 38 and 45 mpg. Secondly, the passenger seat is the most uncomfortable seat I have ever been in. It seems to be mounted at a 10-degree angle to the right. I use my knee while sitting in it to help point my body straight. However, if sitting in it for long periods, like running a lot around town or on a long trip, my butt gets very sore, and I get a crick in my neck. On those long road trips, forget sleeping in that reclined seat. Toyota needs to re-invent that seat. Thirdly, the steering wheel controls are confusing and overly complex. The radio channel and volume controls are on opposite sides, and it's really easy to mess up the view on the dash display by accidentally hitting the wrong button. Figuring out how to get it back requires referencing the manual. Lastly, the trip meter resets every time you stop for gas. So, if you're tracking mpg on a trip longer than one tank, you have to quickly write it down when you stop because it disappears when you get out of the car, and you cannot go back and look at it. I hope this information is helpful to you.Despite the larger LCD screen, the radio GUI could use some improvement. It has a few different screen settings, where you can only see 4 or 6 saved stations. Unfortunately, there are no signal strength meters, so you may end up saving channels that fade in and out. Additionally, the touch screen can be insensitive, making it difficult to change stations while driving. Lastly, the car may not be the most comfortable for taller individuals, as getting in and out of the car requires watching your head. The door to the glass roof is also cheap and may bind. Overall, the car has some areas that could be improved, but it still has its strengths.
Nigel Johns 2024-07-18

I recently purchased the 2023 Prius LE and unfortunately, it has not met my expectations. In the past, I have owned several Toyotas including a Camry, two 4Runners, and a 2010 Prius, all of which I loved. However, this new Prius has left me feeling disappointed. One of the issues I have encountered is that I was only given one key fob at the dealership due to chip shortages, and it is uncertain when I will receive the second one. This has caused some inconvenience as my wife and I have to share the fob and hope not to lose it. Additionally, the Toyota app has not been very reliable and costs $7/month. I encourage you to read the online reviews before deciding to use it. Another downside is that the car sits lower than my previous Prius, making it harder to get into, and the backseat and cargo area are smaller. The display is also cluttered and not very intuitive. Lastly, there is no built-in GPS, and you must use your smartphone to access maps on the display. Overall, I regret buying this car sight-unseen and wish I had done more research beforehand. Unfortunately, my dealer does not have a return policy, so I will have to drive it for a few months and then sell it.

Positive 2023 Toyota Prius car reviews

Zackary Marvin 2024-09-15

Sexy styling, peppy, comfortable, getting 50+mpg, Toyota quality
Kenton Hyatt 2024-05-06

The new Toyota 2023 Prius XLE is absolutely gorgeous. I'm so glad I got it!
Lisandro Schimmel 2024-03-09

If you're not quite ready to go fully electric, this will be the car to buy as soon as Toyota ramps up production.
Quentin Rolfson 2024-03-01

What's not to love? You get almost 60 mpg on the highway, perfect fit and finish, and AWD. And let's not forget how stunning Midnight Black looks!
Chesley Bartell 2024-02-13

I'm glad to hear that you appreciate the safety features! It's understandable that you may have some regrets about not choosing the XLE model. However, it's worth noting that the model you have may not be the best fit for five adults. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2023 Toyota Prius problems:

Any issues yet with the Prius 2023 : r/prius

https://www.reddit.com/r/prius/comments/163z2t0/any_issues_yet_with_the_prius_2023/

Aug 28, 2023 ... I know it's early but are there any known issues with the 2023 Prius? ... Toyota Prius. Everything Toyota Prius ... Quick Questions about the 2023 ...

Why You Should And Shouldn't Buy The Toyota Prius In 2023

https://www.topspeed.com/toyota-prius-in-2023-buy-or-not/

Oct 27, 2023 ... 12 Shouldn't: The 2023 Prius Struggles With Engine Noise ... Even if the 2023 Toyota Prius is a highly efficient and well-designed vehicle, it ...

Things you don't like about Prius 2023 : r/prius

https://www.reddit.com/r/prius/comments/14j2sl0/things_you_dont_like_about_prius_2023/

Jun 26, 2023 ... Compared to my 2009 Prius the 2023 Prius ... 2023-toyota-prius-specs/. Upvote 1. Downvote ... I own a 23 XLE and have no issues with the 'typical' ...

2023 Toyota Prius Problems | Kelley Blue Book

https://www.kbb.com/toyota/prius/2023/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2023 Toyota Prius? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.