2017 Toyota Prius

91 complaints on file, page 1 of 5.

1. Filed May 19, 2026Failure May 19, 2026Emmaus, PAEngine, Fuel/propulsion system

   The catalytic converter heat exchanger failed internally, causing coolant to leak into the exhaust system. Symptoms included white smoke from exhaust and coolant loss with no visible ground leak. This is a documented factory defect per Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0135-19 affecting 2016-2019 Prius models. Toyota has denied warranty coverage despite the vehicle was originally bought & spent its entire prior operational life registered in New York, a state covered under Toyota's full 15-year/150,000-mile emissions warranty. Defect was confirmed by an authorized Toyota dealership, in PA. Vehicle had approximately 83,104 miles at time of diagnosis. Manufacturer denied coverage and is forcing the customer (me) to pay a huge amount for this very well known & defective case. MOST IMPORTANTLY ITS dangerous and unsafe for all the cars our there too, since it is very well known that at a certain point this will happen, but despite TOYOTA never sent a RECALL. Due to this, engine light goes on & off, refrigerant is flammable and leaks in the exhaust pipe happens with this specific case, which ultimately could catch on fire, while the vehicle is moving or stalling. Lots of white smoke comes out of the car that directly impact the environmental aspects, and above all, people owning such vehicle, will be running into this issue, which will 100% put the safety of owner and anyone close in proximity to their vehicle at RISK. PLEASE ADD RECALL WITHOUT CAP for ALL SUCH TOYATA PRIUS due to flammable refrigerant leak inside the car engine components, and proven via strong white smoke coming out of exhaust that has the potentially to put the entire car on fire, specifically.

   NHTSA complaint 11738755
2. Filed Dec 19, 2025Failure Sep 10, 2025225,810 milesMargate, FLSpeedometer/odometer

   Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Toyota Prius. It was discovered when the contact listed the vehicle for sale that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was as a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 126,611. The potential purchaser provided a CARFAX report that recorded the mileage on 11/6/2024 at 225,810.

   NHTSA complaint 11706080
3. Filed Jul 18, 2025Failure Jul 18, 2025phoenix, AZFuel/propulsion system

   During hot temperatures and after coming to a full stop, the car stalls/hesitates significantly (5-6seconds) when pushing the gas pedal. The car eventually proceeds but the issue reoccurs. It can only be intermittently reproduced and no codes are shown on the car dashboard. Mechanics are unable to identify the source of the issue so it cannot be resolved.

   NHTSA complaint 11674665
4. Filed Jul 18, 2025Failure Sep 23, 2024Sacramento, CABody, Unknown or otherCrash

   Standing at a red light and someone rear ended

   NHTSA complaint 11674421
5. Filed Feb 27, 2025Failure Feb 21, 202581,700 milesChicago, ILEngine and engine cooling, Exhaust system

   The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-30 MPH, the vents were blowing out cold air. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was adding coolant to the coolant reservoir every three to four days. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coolant was leaking into the exhaust pipe. The dealer recommended that the exhaust system front pipe be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 81,700.

   NHTSA complaint 11645348
6. Filed Nov 27, 2024Failure Jun 17, 202468,000 milesLos Angeles, CAPower train

   The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed. The accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and jerked. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the battery indicator did not look as if the battery was charging. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics; however, the failure was not duplicated. In addition, the vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the failure had become persistent. The contact stated that during one failure his wife was driving, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the failure was not duplicated. In addition, the contact stated that during one failure, the excessive acceleration warning light illuminated. The contact had not depressed the accelerator pedal during the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that no assistance was available. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11627707
7. Filed Nov 21, 2024Failure Mar 21, 2024Los Angeles, CAEngine, Fuel/propulsion system

   Dear NHTSA, I am seeking assistance and compensation for ongoing warranty and repair issues with my Toyota Prius. Key Incident Timeline: •March 21, 2024: Dashboard message “Grille Shutter Inoperable” •March 25, 2024: Toyota of Glendale visit •Charged $220 for diagnostics •Refused to honor service bulletin •Vehicle mileage: 149,217 Customer Service Interactions: •April 9, 2024: •Contacted Toyota customer service •Confirmed CA emissions coverage to 150,000 miles •Discovered extended warranty unexpectedly canceled Brand Engagement Claim: •April 9, 2024: Filed claim with Toyota’s Brand Engagement line •June 26, 2024: Claim denied, dealership’s decision upheld Repair Challenges: •July 5, 2024: Wondries Toyota diagnostic visit •Charged $200 for diagnostics •Confirmed active service bulletins would have covered repairs Repair Management: •Northeast Mechanic has handled all subsequent repairs due to Toyota’s failures Financial Losses Breakdown: •Initial diagnostic fee (Toyota of Glendale): $220.00 •Diagnostic fee (Wondries Toyota): $200.00 •Car rental (July 6, 2024 - Hertz): $1,356.17 •Car parts: $1,706.55 •Labor on vehicle: $754.22 •Water pump: $167.78 •Head Gasket, Spark Plugs, Engine Water Pump: $2,161.00 •Total financial loss: $6,565.72 I request a comprehensive investigation into these warranty and repair issues, seeking full compensation for the financial burden caused by Toyota’s repeated failures. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11626715
8. Filed Jul 30, 2024Failure Jul 21, 2024Columbia, MOUnknown or other

   While driving the speed limit of 70mph on a major highway, the sunroof on my 2017 Toyota Prius exploded. There was no warning of any kind: no other traffic nearby so no rock or debris from another vehicle; no overpass or bridge so nothing from above; it was a mild sunny day of 76 degrees so not a weather factor; and by the angle of the glass that remains being in an outward position rather than inward, reveals to me that it was from inside out, not from outside in as if it were a rock hitting. It just exploded. I was the only person in the car. Thankfully, the visor was shut on it or the shattered glass would have caused injury and of greater serious concern is just the sudden sound of what sounded like a bomb going off over my head was enough to cause a reaction which easily would result in an accident. It was a terrifying experience! I was lucky no other vehicles were nearby and could react and safely get off the road. I called 911 immediately and reported it. I have read many such claims from other Toyota owners online (see ToyotaNation.com and search by "exploding Sunroof") and even from a technician at my nearby Toyota Collision Center that it just happened to a friend of theirs also. This is not a one time issue. When I took the car to the Collision Center for an estimate and inquired about the damage, they could find no recall on it by Toyota. This is certainly a dangerous and hazardous issue that needs to be addressed asap before someone is seriously hurt or there is a fatality.

   NHTSA complaint 11605347
9. Filed Jul 22, 2024Failure Jan 3, 2024glenwood springs, COEngine

   Coolant leaking into exhaust And engine also vehicle suddenly stops for no reason now engine is completely broken due to the coolant going into the motor oil

   NHTSA complaint 11603676
10. Filed Jul 3, 2024Failure Mar 23, 2024Los Angeles, CAEngine, Fuel/propulsion system

    Dashboard pop up came up saying that the grille shutter is inoperable to visit a dealer. Went online and noticed there were recalls for my Prius year and because emissions is affected I contacted Toyota financial customer service who said to go to a dealer and that they would fix no charge. Went three times to the dealer and they did not want to honor the recall. Charged me $200 to run diagnostics on the vehicle and confirmed that the code that was being recalled matched. They made excuses and in the end did not fix. The pop up appeared March 2024 and since then I now have another pop up appear about the hybrid system overheating due to them not fixing. I went to a local mechanic who said it was the dealers responsibility since there are service bulletins but they do not want to help. The car has stalled out on the freeway almost leaving me to get hit and my fuel has gotten worse.

    NHTSA complaint 11598469
11. Filed Oct 17, 2023Failure Oct 16, 2023Oceanside, CAVehicle speed control

    On 10/16/23 I was turning slowly into a parking spot and my car suddenly accelerated without my pressing the accelerator. I slammed on the break and the car stopped. It was frightening because I could have hit someone or something but luckily the car stopped before that happened. I believe that this was a malfunction of the accelerator. This has not been checked or reported to anyone yet but I will be calling Toyota to have it checked. There have been no warning messages.

    NHTSA complaint 11550401
12. Filed Oct 3, 2023Failure Jan 28, 202380,000 milesMelbourne, FLEngine

    The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and pulling out of a parking lot, the vehicle lost motive power and made abnormal sounds. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart, and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was blown, causing damage to the engine. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the same assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11548042
13. Filed Sep 8, 2023Failure Jan 19, 2023Centerville, OHFuel/propulsion system

    While filling my Prius with gas, as soon as I started pumping, it spewed gas all over my arms and shirt, as the gas would not go down the pipe into the gas tank. My mechanic explained that gasline exhaust valve was stuck causing the gas to spirt back out the intake opening. This part had to be replaced. Firestone replaced it for a total of $337.08, however, the dealer would have charged more. It was not covered as a defect issue. The experienced mechanic said that he had seen this problem on several Toyotas. This is hazardous and Toyota should repair those that exhibit this problem; also they should change their design so that the exhaust valve does not fail causing gasoline to spill on the person pumping gas and all down the side of the car onto the cement pavement.

    NHTSA complaint 11543518
14. Filed Aug 29, 2023Failure Jan 1, 2023Sacramento, CABody

    The rear quarter panel is peeling off

    NHTSA complaint 11541457
15. Filed Feb 14, 2023Failure Jan 17, 2023Centerville, OHFuel/propulsion system

    When filling gas, a near-empty Prius overflowed almost immediately, splashing fuel over the car, the ground, tires, and my feet! Gas is flammable and not good to get on one's skin. Firestone experienced/certified repairman said that he's repaired many Toyotas with the same problem. No advanced warning was presented. Last time I filled it before this incident it worked fine. Technician said that the air-exhaust that permits air to escape while gas is being delivered to the tank had failed to work properly, causing the fuel to spew back up the gas line and on to the car/ground. He had to order a part from Toyota and replace it. This cost me $337 for part and labor. I believe this is a malfunction that Toyota should cover. This part should not fail as it could start a fire and contaminate the car, ground and put petroleum on people.

    NHTSA complaint 11507194
16. Filed Oct 26, 2022Failure Jul 12, 2021Owego, NYElectrical system

    For the past year or so we have had issues with the vehicle not starting properly. If we leave the radio, wipers, heater, or air conditioner in the ON position when we shut the car off, or a window down a little on a hot day, a sensor triggers a Low Battery error code. We have had the battery checked and it is NOT low. When this happens to start the car we need to get a jumpstart from someone. This limits where we feel safe driving to as in a remote place where not many other people and cars are it would be more difficult to find someone to give us a jumpstart. On occasion, we have had to call a towing service to come to help us, which requires sometimes a long wait. The car starts right up once the connection to the other vehicle's battery is made. We should not need a checklist to make sure everything is turned off before we leave the car to avoid this non-starting issue.

    NHTSA complaint 11491012
17. Filed Oct 11, 2022Failure Sep 14, 202220,000 milesSherrill, NYService brakes

    On 9/14/22 I was almost a hundred miles from my home in Sherrill, NY on Rte 81 south, approaching the bridge in Binghamton, NY when I heard a loud ringing noise. At first I thought it was my phone; then I thought it was a police vehicle; then a construction noise. I finally faced the fact if was coming from my 2017 Prius which had just reached 20,000 miles. I was in heavy traffic but managed to pull over and walk around the car as the noise seemed to be coming from the rear. I saw nothing amiss. I managed to drive another twenty minutes to Great Bend, PA and just before I pulled into the parking lot at McDonalds the noise stopped. I called Nye Automotive in Oneida, NY which had sold me the car and talked to a mechanic who said he had no experience with a ringing noise. Proceeding cautiously I drove 135 miles to Quakertown, Pa where my son diagnosed the problem as the brake pad on the drivers side rear wheel that had tilted and was banging against the rotor. My son replaced the brake pad and next day we drove to Long Beach Island, NJ, stopping to check for heat coming from that wheel. It was fine. When I got back home to Sherrill I could found the email of Mark Templin, CEO of Toyota who gave me the number of [XXX], a Toyota executive. I have been driving for sixty years and had never encountered a tilted brake pad. I am so easy on brakes that mechanics marvel that I can get to over 50,000 miles before work needs to be done. I am concerned that the ringing-clanging noise alone could cause an accident. Having had a bee and a mouse in the car previously I remained in control but could have reacted badly. I told [XXX] that I thought perhaps Toyota would like to see who had made the brake pads. I had heard of airbags and other components purchased by many car makers having caused problems in the past. Mr. Wilson didn't seem interested. Also, since my car was beyond the 3-year warranty he felt Nye wanting to charge me to look at the car was appropriate. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

    NHTSA complaint 11488767
18. Filed Jun 3, 2022Failure May 26, 2022Ashburn, VASeats

    The driver's side car seat automatic seat adjustment (backwards/forwards) failed all of a sudden with no warning. It was working when I parked the car to go into an office for an appointment. When I came back out to the car, it wouldn't work and was making strange noises. I called the dealer and they said to bring in the car to be looked at. This is a safety issue because it was hard to reach the pedal to drive the car without pillows pushing me forward in the car seat. The car was taken to the dealer twice and I was finally told that the track the car goes forward and backward on was worn out and the motor would need to be replaced. I was quoted $3K for the repair because the warranty had expired and the car seat needed to be removed to make the repairs.

    NHTSA complaint 11467403
19. Filed Apr 12, 2022Failure Apr 12, 2022Oro Valley, AZEngine, Vehicle speed control

    I had just changed from the right-hand lane to the center lane of a six-lane expressway when my vehicle lost power and i was able to move over to the right hand shoulder of the road. The accelerator pedal did not work and I just coasted to the side of the road. I noticed that a red warning saying something about RADAR flashed on the instrument panel when this happened. I turned off the vehicle and tried to restart it, but nothing happened. I then texted the person who was expecting me and explained the problem. Since I had just taken the car to the dealer for its regular 40,000 mile service four days earlier, I intended to call my dealer to ask them what to do. All of this took about 10 minutes with the engine turned off. Before doing this, I again tried to restart it. It started and I inched it forward on the shoulder of the road. Since I did not feel safe parked on the shoulder, I merged into traffic and took it to another Toyota dealer. They said that they could not look at my vehicle to diagnose what might be wrong because all their technicians were going home at 4 pm. I drove to my son's house and he suggested that I report this to you. Something similar happened to him when he was driving this same vehicle about six month ago. He was driving on a city street, did not notice any dashboard warning, and took it to this same dealer. They were not able find anything wrong. I felt I should report this since this is the second time this vehicle suddenly lost power. My incident happened when I was driving at expressway speed and could have caused a serious accident had I not been able to coast to the shoulder of the road.

    NHTSA complaint 11460605
20. Filed Jul 6, 2021Failure Jun 25, 2021Knoxville, TNVisibility/wiper

    Windshield cracked from bottom to top and across while sitting and there was no evidence of a rock or chip that would cause that. Air temp was about 95 degrees. No rain, no impact, car was sitting parked and not running.

    NHTSA complaint 11423594