Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Toyota Prius problems

Owners filed 38 complaints about the 2018 Toyota Prius with NHTSA between Feb 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (5).

Complaints
38
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Exterior lighting5
  2. Visibility/wiper5
  3. Vehicle speed control4
  4. Structure4
  5. Engine3
  6. Engine and engine cooling3
  7. Electrical system3
  8. Air bags3
  9. Service brakes3
  10. Seats2
  11. Power train2
  12. Fuel/propulsion system2
  13. Latches/locks/linkages1
  14. Visibility1

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 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201810
20199
20202
20212
20222
20233
20242
20254
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Exterior lighting

5 reports
“Both taillamps holding moisture. Could cause electrical issues or fire. .. same year and model car have same reported issues and were fixed by manufacturer. This vehicle is the same but different level.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11724219

Visibility/wiper

5 reports
“MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY AN OBJECT AND WITHOUT BEING NEAR ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. I WAS NOT SPEEDING OR DRIVING RECKLESSLY. BOTH TIMES REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD AS THE CRACK QUICKLY SPREAD AND AFFECTED A GOOD PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. I AM REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD (TWICE). THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED TODAY, MARCH 4, 2021.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2021Visibility/wiperODI 11399109

Vehicle speed control

4 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The brake pedal was applied but failed to respond. The driver crashed into the front passenger side of the Lexus. The vehicle continuously moved forward. The contact was eventually able to pull over safely. The pre-collision malfunction warning light illuminated. The brake malfunction light was flashing. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire or injury. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who could not determine the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an autobody center where it remained. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 5, 2024Service brakes, air, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11629049

Structure

4 reports1 crash1 fire
“ON DEC 2, 2020 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED CAUSING US TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SHADE WAS CLOSED WHICH SAVED US FROM EXPLODING GLASS. THERE WERE NO ROAD HAZARDS, NO ISSUES OTHER THAN A SPONTANEOUS EXPLODING OF OUR SUNROOF. THE ORLANDO POLICE DEPT WAS SUMMONED AND THE ROADRANGERS STOPPED TO ASSIST US. I TOOK THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN CLERMONT, FL AND THEY REPAIRED THE GLASS AT NO CHARGE BUT TOLD ME HAD THE CAR NOT BEEN UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. IF THE SHADE HAD NOT BEEN CLOSED THE ENTIRE PASSENGERS WITHIN THE CABIN WOULD HAVE BEEN SPLATTERED WITH SHATTERED GLASS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2021Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11397301

Engine

3 reports
“I am writing to inform you about a very dangerous situation that occurred to me in June 2026 and that could pose a significant safety risk to other drivers who own 2016-17-18-19 Toyota Prius cars. The risk stems from a defective part (the catalytic converter) that Toyota Corporation knew about in 2019 but failed to notify owners of those models. Instead of issuing a recall and replacing the defective part, Toyota chose instead to issue a nationwide alert to their mechanics (Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)—0135-19, issued on 9/27/19). Through the TSB, Toyota extended the warranty to 8 years or 80,000 miles for the part. However, Toyota never notified the car owners of this potentially dangerous situation. In my case, the defective catalytic converter failed, causing overheating and destroying my engine, costing me $ 7,454.55 to replace it and other out-of-pocket expenses totaling approximately $ 8,000. I am seeking your help in getting Toyota Corporation to take responsibility for this matter and with the repair damage to my car. Toyota’s defective part caused this damage, and it failed to notify me of the potential dangers. In addition, other Toyota Prius…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11768511

Engine and engine cooling

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while having a routine oil change, the contact was made aware that there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was constantly adding coolant to the coolant reservoir; however, the following day the coolant reservoir was empty. The failure had occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched and was made aware of TSB Number: 013519; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,100.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11757394
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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