Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Midsize Cars

2020 Toyota Prius PrimeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 16 owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (5) and vehicle speed control (3). 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
16
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$1,200est.
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 Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

16 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2020 – Sep 2025
  1. Visibility/wiper5
  2. Vehicle speed control3
  3. Power train3
  4. Electrical system3
  5. Tires2
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  7. Visibility1
  8. Air bags1
  9. Exterior lighting1

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
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility/wiper

5 reports1 crash
“The car had about 8000 miles on it. It was parked in Garage the night before. In the morning the outside temperature was 39F. During my 30 minutes driving, the front defrost was turned on. Afterwards it was parked on driveway and at that time the windshield was fine. 6 hours later, I noticed a spiderweb like crack under the camera section on the front windshield. The crack was about 11 inch long. It looks like the glass could not handle the temperature change.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2024Visibility/wiperODI 11564758

Vehicle speed control

3 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking lot, traveling down the aisle, and driving around the end cap to the second aisle, pulling into the parking spot at 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The wheels squealed. The vehicle traveled through the spot and sideswiped another vehicle, and stopped. There were no reported injuries or fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was serviced a week prior. The local dealer was contacted, who referred to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 54,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2025Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11690279

Power train

3 reports1 crash
“I was driving yesterday on Freeway in the 2nd lane ,all of a sudden car went from drive to neutral,I didn't touch transmission gear lever and I put gas And it says it is on neutral N,I was in dangerous situation, the other cars were flying by,I put on hazard lights Slowly changed lanes because it was not on D drive mode,pulled it over to Shoulder applied brakes and shift to D Then proceeded back to freeway, I was very scare in this whole ordeal”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2022Power trainODI 11479277
All 2020 Prius Prime problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 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 Oct 28, 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$1,20078
  • Prius Prime
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    55 city · 53 hwy · $1,200/yr
    54
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 2020 Toyota Prius Prime as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 14132
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

2020 Prius Prime questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 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 2020 Toyota Prius Prime problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (5), vehicle speed control (3), power train (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime at 54 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026