2016 Toyota Prius
Common Problems
Ranked from 72 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
12 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Windshield Cracking or Chipping
26complaintsMedium severityOtherWindshields crack or chip after minor impacts or over time, spreading rapidly.
- 2
Windshield Cracking Without Impact
18complaintsHigh severityOtherWindshields crack without any apparent impact or visible cause.
- 3
Brake Booster Failure
8complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake booster has failed, causing the braking system to become ineffective.
$500–$1,300est. brake booster replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Engine Stalling During Braking
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls during braking, especially when encountering rough spots or potholes.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Electrical System Issues
7complaintsMedium severityElectricalVarious electrical system issues including dashboard lights malfunctioning, radio and navigation system failures, and wiring damage leading to system malfunctions.
Related recall: 18V579000
- 6
Unintended Acceleration
7complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe car accelerates on its own despite the driver's actions to stop it.
- 7
Battery Issues Causing Vehicle Not Moving
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe vehicle does not move after coming to a stop, especially after rain or car wash, with a sudden drop in battery level.
Related recall: 18V579000
- 8
Airbag Deployment Failure
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe airbags have failed to deploy during collisions, increasing the risk of injury.
Related recall: 18V579000
- 9
Coolant Leak
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThere is a coolant leak from the heat exchanger into the exhaust pipe, leading to engine issues.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Engine Overheating
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine has overheated, leading to coolant warnings and potential engine failure.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Steering Power Loss
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe hybrid system has stopped functioning, resulting in a loss of steering power and the vehicle becoming uncontrollable.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Windshield Replacement Delays
2complaintsLow severityOtherWindshields are difficult to replace due to backorders and multiple repair attempts.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.