Research · Midsize Cars

2022 Toyota PriusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 24 owner complaints for the 2022 Toyota Prius. Most complaints involve electrical system (6) and service brakes (4). 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
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2021
Owner complaints
24
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,150est.
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 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

24 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2021 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system6
  2. Service brakes4
  3. Air bags3
  4. Engine2
  5. Visibility/wiper2
  6. Structure1
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  8. Seat belts1
  9. Vehicle speed control1

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 yearNHTSA complaints
2001170
2002193
2003111
2004610
20051,051
20061,440
20072,004
20081,497
2009502
20102,823
2011523
2012688
2013414
2014241
2015166
2016181
201791
201838
201930
202014
20216
202224
202321
202427
202516
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

6 reports
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2022 Toyota Prius. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 29,909. At the time of the registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 173,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2026Electrical systemODI 11723906

Service brakes

4 reports2 crashes
“My 2022 Toyota Prius (approx. 12,500 miles) suddenly displayed multiple warning lights while driving, made abnormal noises, and lost the ability to move. The vehicle remained powered on but could not drive and had to be towed to a Toyota dealership. The dealer diagnosed a failed brake booster with master cylinder assembly and quoted ~$4,230 for repair. This is a safety-critical component that should not fail at such low mileage. Toyota has previously acknowledged premature brake booster failures in earlier Prius models (2010–2015) and issued Customer Support Program POL18-03, extending coverage to 10 years/150,000 miles for the same component. I believe my 2022 Prius experienced the same type of defect, but Toyota refuses assistance. A sudden failure of the brake booster system while driving poses a serious crash and injury risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2025Service brakesODI 11687677

Air bags

3 reports3 crashes
“Brake”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2026Air bags, Structure, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11749255
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Prius Eco
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
585356$1,150158
Prius
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
545052$1,250170
Prius AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
514749$1,300179
  • Prius Eco
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    58 city · 53 hwy · $1,150/yr
    56
    mpg comb.
  • Prius
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    54 city · 50 hwy · $1,250/yr
    52
    mpg comb.
  • Prius AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    51 city · 47 hwy · $1,300/yr
    49
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota 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%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 16663Vehicle 16637
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2022 Toyota Prius have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 3, 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 problems?

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (6), service brakes (4), air bags (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2022 Toyota Prius get?

The EPA rates the 2022 Toyota Prius at 49–56 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2022 Toyota Prius?

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

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026