Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Toyota Prius problems

Owners filed 14 complaints about the 2020 Toyota Prius with NHTSA between Mar 2020 and Sep 2025. The most-cited component is service brakes (4).

Complaints
14
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes4
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Tires2
  4. Air bags1
  5. Forward collision avoidance1
  6. Back over prevention1
  7. Engine1
  8. Fuel/propulsion system1
  9. Vehicle speed control1
  10. Power train1
  11. Structure1
  12. Wheels1
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  14. Other / unknown5

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
20205
20212
20222
20231
20242
20252

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

Service brakes

4 reports4 crashes
“I TURNED LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE IN MY 2020 PRIUS. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND MY CAR SHOT FORWARD. I COULDN'T STOP IT, AND IT HIT A CONCRETE POLE. IT ONLY TOOK 1 SECOND. IT SEEMS TOYOTA HYBRIDS ARE STILL HAVING THIS UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION DESPITE A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR LAW SUIT IN THE EARLY 2010'S. MY CAR WAS TOWED AND IS AWAITING INSPECTION BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2025Unknown or other, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11687071

Electrical system

2 reports1 crash
“On May 16, 2023 I was slowly driving out of a market parking lot when the car suddenly accelerated, full throttle, and speeded across the street (Colusa Avenue, Berkeley, CA), crashing head on into a fence. Immediately after the crash, the dashboard displayed the following: "Check Engine (!) A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected. Contact your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected." The car was towed and is now at a body shop selected by my insurance company, AAA. I received whiplash, small bruises on my chest and left hand, and a scraped shin. I was taken to Alta Bates Emergency by ambulance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2023Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11524726

Tires

2 reports
“Ballooning on side wall of tire. When brought to dealer, they indicated that three other tires had same problem but not as obvious. Car had only 24k miles, with half these on these tires (rest on snow tires). Dealer reported that this was a serious danger.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2022TiresODI 11469447

Air bags

1 report1 crash
“I was the victim of an accident on [XXX]. The person of the other vehicle that collided with my vehicle after crossing at high speed and without stopping in the red light. The sensors of the anti-collision vehicle of my vehicle did not work and the air bag also did not work. Due to speed the airbag of the other vehicle triggered. I have shoulder pain due to impact. At the moment the insurer of the party involved is making it difficult to pay the compensation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2025Air bags, Unknown or other, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11681232

Forward collision avoidance

1 report1 crash

Back over prevention

1 report
“After heavy rains, the car says the park assist doesn't work, as well as the parking sensor system. There is a warning sign that says it doesn't work.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2024Back over preventionODI 11570887
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.