Research · Midsize Cars

2022 Toyota Prius PrimeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 8 owner complaints for the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (2) and forward collision avoidance (2). The EPA rates it 54 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
54mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2021
Owner complaints
8
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$1,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Engine and engine cooling: engine control module (ecu

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may falsely detect an error and shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power.

Engine and engine coolingReported Sep 22, 2021NHTSA 21V734000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

8 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2021 – Jun 2024
  1. Vehicle speed control2
  2. Forward collision avoidance2
  3. Engine and engine cooling1
  4. Hybrid propulsion system1
  5. Steering1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Service brakes1
  9. 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
20237
202416
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, and the vehicle accelerated to 50 MPH before the contact was able to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred the following day. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 700.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2023Vehicle speed controlODI 11544053

Forward collision avoidance

2 reports1 crash
“When adaptive cruise control is engaged and a car cuts in front of you the car will accelerate rapidly at first nearly hitting the car before it slows.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2022Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11482812

Engine and engine cooling

1 report
“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated multiple unknown warning lights had been temporarily illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V734000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Hybrid Propulsion System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2024Engine and engine cooling, Hybrid propulsion systemODI 11596391
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 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 13, 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.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota PRIUS PRIME 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026Vehicle 16638
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

2022 Prius Prime questions

How many recalls does the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 13, 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 2022 Toyota Prius Prime problems?

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (2), forward collision avoidance (2), engine and engine cooling (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime get?

The EPA rates the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime at 54 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026