Research · Midsize Cars
2018 Toyota Prius PrimeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime. Most complaints involve power train (2) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 54 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
54mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
15
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
15 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2018 – Mar 2026
- Power train2
- Air bags2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Visibility1
- Structure1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Service brakes1
- Back over prevention1
- Forward collision avoidance1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
2 reports
“On at least 4 occasions when the EV battery becomes depleted while driving at highway speeds and the car is switching to gas, the engine completely loses all power. This has lasted from 10-30 seconds. The dealership said a small battery needed to be replaced, and replaced that, but this recurred within a month of replacement.”
Air bags
2 reports2 crashes
“Airbags deployed prematurely as I was parking my car in a doctor's office parking lot. The car was going less than 5 mph and I did not hit anything. The premature deployment of the airbag startled me and caused me to hit the accelerator instead of the brake and I ended up crashing my car into a nearby pole and another .automobile. The accident resulted in a soft tissue injury for my daughter and I'm experiencing lower back pains. The air bag caused burns on my nose and arms. My daughter has bruising on the arms from the air bag deployment”
Fuel/propulsion system
2 reports
“SUPPLEMENT TO COMPLAINT # 11384074 THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON JANUARY 11 AND 12, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 7 AM. SPEED WAS 76 MPH, AND THE FUEL DEPRIVATION OCCURRED FOR 8-10 SECONDS EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD THE PROBLEM GOING HOME AT 2 PM.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid
- Transmissions
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- EV range
- 640 mi (EPA)
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius Prime Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 55 | 53 | 54 | $1,150 | 78 |
- 54mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 12330
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2018 Prius Prime questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.
What are the most common 2018 Toyota Prius Prime problems?
Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (2), air bags (2), fuel/propulsion system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime at 54 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026