Research · Midsize Cars
2021 Toyota PriusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Prius. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (2) and engine (2). The EPA rates it 49–56 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
49–56mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
6
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2021 Toyota Prius as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2021 – Feb 2026
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Engine2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Lane departure1
- Electrical system1
- Service brakes1
- Wheels1
- 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 model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 170 |
| 2002 | 193 |
| 2003 | 111 |
| 2004 | 610 |
| 2005 | 1,051 |
| 2006 | 1,440 |
| 2007 | 2,004 |
| 2008 | 1,497 |
| 2009 | 502 |
| 2010 | 2,823 |
| 2011 | 523 |
| 2012 | 688 |
| 2013 | 414 |
| 2014 | 241 |
| 2015 | 166 |
| 2016 | 181 |
| 2017 | 91 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 16 |
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Fuel/propulsion system
2 reports
“When i am going down it's charging when the charge reaches 6 from 8 the engine starts working and stop changing at that point and the power continues comes from engine only without the hybrid battery and there are no codes”
Engine
2 reports1 crash
“The car accelerated without my foot on the accelerator, brake did not respond, and I had to drive through grass and a rock-filled ditch until after about 10 seconds the car returned to my control.”
Vehicle speed control
1 report
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 - 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The contact swerved around the vehicle in front and ended up on the opposite side of the roadway. The contact attempted to avoid oncoming traffic and swerving around all the other vehicles and ended up in a ravine. The contact's husband depressed the START/STOP button from the passenger’s side to turn off the vehicle, enabling the vehicle to come to a stop. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued to drive the vehicle to the dealer at slow speeds. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the dealer. The failure mileage was 56,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid
- Transmissions
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
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 3, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius Eco Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 58 | 53 | 56 | $1,150 | 158 |
| Prius Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 54 | 50 | 52 | $1,250 | 170 |
| Prius AWD Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 51 | 47 | 49 | $1,300 | 179 |
- 56mpg comb.
- 52mpg comb.
- 49mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Toyota PRIUS 5 HB AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 10.7%
Overall
5 / 5
Toyota PRIUS 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%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2021 Prius questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Prius have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.
What are the most common 2021 Toyota Prius problems?
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (2), engine (2), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2021 Toyota Prius get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Prius at 49–56 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
How safe is the 2021 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Toyota Prius 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026