Problems · NHTSA complaints

2025 Toyota Prius problems

Owners filed 16 complaints about the 2025 Toyota Prius with NHTSA between Mar 2025 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (6).

Complaints
16
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system6
  2. Forward collision avoidance3
  3. Power train2
  4. Latches/locks/linkages2
  5. Service brakes2
  6. Tires1
  7. Structure1
  8. Wheels1
  9. Back over prevention1
  10. Visibility/wiper1
  11. Lane departure1
  12. Fuel/propulsion system1
  13. Vehicle speed control1
  14. Exterior lighting1

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 4, 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
202510
20266

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

Electrical system

6 reports1 related recall
“The small battery located in the back of the car has a serious problem. I have been stranded over four times now. The battery loses it charge or isn't being fully charged up. When I go to get in the car. The interior lights flash and it will not go into ready mode to allow the vehicle to be driven. I have been stranded four times. I resorted to have a jumper pack in the back of the car, but since the rear deck is powered. This last time I couldn't get it to open to use it. I have already had the battery replaced by Toyota under warranty. But I believe that the hybrid system is not fully charging the small battery up. This could be a serious problem if Putin the county, state or in a bad neighborhood.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2026Electrical systemODI 11760656

Forward collision avoidance

3 reports1 crash
“Infotainment screen stuck on "Experience Drive Connect" screen which disables all the safety devices on the vehiucle. OEM needs to update the software to remove this screen. Screen is tied to Toyota subscription service. I believe all new Toyota products would have this vulnerability.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2025Forward collision avoidance, Back over preventionODI 11697030

Power train

2 reports
“I am submitting this complaint to report an unexpected transmission shift event that occurred while operating my 2025 Toyota Prius at highway speed which created an immediate and obvious safety risk. The event occurred on XXX. While driving my Prius at approximately 75mph on Interstate [XXX], I reached toward the center console area to retrieve my sunglasses. I did not intentionally move the shifter, but the transmission suddenly shifted from Drive to Neutral. After moving from Drive to Neutral, the accelerator no longer provided propulsion. At the time, my vehicle was traveling downhill and was being followed by an eighteen-wheel tractor trailer. The truck driver behind me had no way of knowing that my vehicle had unexpectedly lost the ability to accelerate. To avoid being struck from behind, I steered left into a paved median area, applied the brakes, and was able to shift back to Drive and merge into the traffic flow. Had a paved escape area not been available, it seems inevitable that our chances of being in a fatal collision with the vehicle behind us would be quite high. My concern is that a normal driver movement (reaching for an item near the center…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2026Power trainODI 11742143

Latches/locks/linkages

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s side front door became inoperable while using the controls. The door could be opened from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V049000 (Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The failure mileage was 21,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2026Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11728761

Service brakes

2 reports1 crash
“I started hearing a scratching/rubbing noise from the brake, and feeling the scratching/rubbing through the brake pedal, making it difficult to push down. I almost crashed in the ally into my garage, but the emergency braking took over and stopped the car very suddenly, snapping my neck a bit, and it is still sore as of me writing this report. Since then brake pedal makes scratching/dry rubbing noise with heavy rubbing and grabbing feel through pedal. It only happens at 20mph or below during quick stops (not smooth stop, press pedal quickly), at 15-25% pedal position. When holding pedal at that position while moving, rubbing/grabbing through the pedal feels rhythmic like it's related to wheel rotation. If car is creeping in Neutral or Drive (no gas pedal pressed), and you lightly press the pedal, you can hear and feel like something is grabbing/releasing/grabbing/releasing. Sometimes it the brake pedal resists and there is a very loud rubbing or grinding noise, and I have to press the pedal very hard. This can also be replicated when the car in in Park. Lightly pressing on the brake pedal causes the braking pump to make a whirring sound to build pressure (this…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2025Service brakesODI 11671286

Tires

1 report
“These tires were purchased brand new and installed at Pep Boys on March 24th. By the 15th of this month—less than a month later—one of the tires had developed a bulge on its sidewall.bubbling on the tire sidewall . However, neither the manufacturer (Toyo) nor the retailer (Pep Boys) has been willing to take responsibility for the issue, refusing to process a return, issue a refund, or address the quality defect. I have clear photographic evidence demonstrating that this is undeniably a product quality issue!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2026TiresODI 11733091
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

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