Research · Midsize Cars

2023 Toyota PriusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints for the 2023 Toyota Prius. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and tires (3). The EPA rates it 49–57 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
49–57mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jan 2026
Owner complaints
21
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switches

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.

Electrical systemReported Jan 28, 2026NHTSA 26V049000

Back over prevention: display function

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Oct 30, 2025NHTSA 25V744000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

EquipmentReported Jul 23, 2024NHTSA 24V548000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

21 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2023 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system5
  2. Tires3
  3. Power train3
  4. Latches/locks/linkages3
  5. Structure3
  6. Wheels3
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Seat belts1
  9. Forward collision avoidance1

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

5 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Prius. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V049000 (Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages)however the parts were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced any failure regarding the unrepaired recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2026Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11739475

Tires

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Prius equipped with Toyo Tires, Tire Line: Extensa A/S, Tire Size: 195/50R/19, and DOT Number: N/A. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, it was discovered that a bubble had developed in the front driver-side tire. The vehicle manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,205.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026TiresODI 11771552

Power train

3 reports
“I purchased my 2023 Prius new which comes with a 5 year 60k mile powertrain warranty. My car, at 42.2k miles, has developed a clicking sound when the steering wheel is fully turned to the left and the vehicle is moving slowly. I brought it to the dealer today Oct 2, 2026 and their technician was able to reproduce my concern. However I came across two problems: 1) Their technician claims it is a "suspension" issue and 2) I was told even if it were CV related it would not be covered under warranty. Toyota is aware of this clicking sound and even has multiple bulletins about this exact same issue on their other vehicle models, all of which are covered under the 5 year 60k mile warranty. For example: T-SB-0106-20: "Some 2015 – 2021 model year Corolla vehicles may exhibit a clicking noise when making turns greater than 90 degrees and accelerating with the steering wheel on full lock, such as when performing a U-turn" Other bulletins include: T-SB-0053-25 and T-SB-0028-26. My research shows that suspension related issues are diagnosed with symptoms such as a single clunk sound when hitting bumps or driving over uneven pavement whereas CV issues are diagnosed with…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Power trainODI 11768489
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 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 4, 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
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
575657$1,150155
Prius AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
535454$1,200163
Prius XLE/LTD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
525252$1,250169
Prius AWD XLE/LTD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
495049$1,300179
  • Prius
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    57 city · 56 hwy · $1,150/yr
    57
    mpg comb.
  • Prius AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    53 city · 54 hwy · $1,200/yr
    54
    mpg comb.
  • Prius XLE/LTD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    52 city · 52 hwy · $1,250/yr
    52
    mpg comb.
  • Prius AWD XLE/LTD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    49 city · 50 hwy · $1,300/yr
    49
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 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
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.2%
Overall
5 / 5
Toyota PRIUS 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.2%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 18592Vehicle 18591
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

2023 Prius questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota Prius have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 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 2023 Toyota Prius problems?

Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), tires (3), power train (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Toyota Prius get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Toyota Prius at 49–57 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Toyota Prius?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Toyota Prius 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026