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Research · Midsize Cars

2019 Toyota Prius PrimeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 9 owner complaints for the 2019 Toyota Prius Prime. Most complaints involve wheels (4) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 54 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
54mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2019
Owner complaints
9
Top: wheels
Fuel cost / yr
$1,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electronic stability control (esc)

Free remedy

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."

Electronic stability control (esc)Reported Jul 24, 2019NHTSA 19V544000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

9 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Wheels4
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Service brakes1
  4. Steering1
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  6. Latches/locks/linkages1
  7. Tires1
  8. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Prius Prime model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2017143
201815
20199
202016
202110
20228
20236
202415
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Wheels

4 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2020WheelsODI 11366556

Electrical system

2 reports
“The center infotainment/navigation display on my 2019 Toyota Prius Prime repeatedly turns off and back on while driving. The screen goes blank and then restarts, including the map display. The vehicle itself continues to drive normally. The display is still in the vehicle and is available for inspection. This is a safety concern because the navigation screen goes blank while the vehicle is moving, which can distract the driver. Toyota has already documented this condition in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0031-20, which covers intermittent rebooting, screen flashing, and the screen going blank on 2017–2020 Prius Prime vehicles with the large Premium Audio display. On October 7, 2026, I took the vehicle to Toyota of San Bernardino and asked them to perform the multimedia software update under T-SB-0031-20. The dealer refused to do the update at no charge. The problem has not been repaired. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or an insurance representative. No warning lamps appeared before the screen started turning off and on. The screen simply goes blank and restarts while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026Electrical systemODI 11769550

Service brakes

1 report
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2021Service brakesODI 11417512
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

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 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Prius Prime
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
555354$1,10078
  • Prius Prime
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    55 city · 53 hwy · $1,100/yr
    54
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2019 Toyota Prius Prime as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 13204
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2019 Prius Prime questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota Prius Prime have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Toyota Prius Prime problems?

Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are wheels (4), electrical system (2), service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Toyota Prius Prime get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Toyota Prius Prime at 54 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026