Common Failures Of The Toyota Prius: Breakdowns, Solutions And Reliability!
If you’re looking for a reliable electric car, you can’t go wrong with a Toyota Prius. All of their models have something good to offer, from excellent safety ratings to fantastic fuel economy. Find out if this car is as awesome as you’re led to believe, stick around and keep reading all about Toyota Prius reliability and common faults .
Its resale value is good, since it only depreciates 41% in five years. This is an excellent car, since in addition to transporting yourself, you will be helping the environment, significantly reducing your CO2 emissions.
How good is the Toyota Prius?
The Toyota Prius enjoys above-average reliability ratings, with some of its model years scoring better than others. It has had a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it in tenth place out of 24 midsize cars in its class. On the other hand, the Prius has also been rated 73/100 according to other parameters.
The Toyota Prius 2021 has also been classified in tenth place out of 17 vehicles in the hybrid and electric segment. With these figures, it is clear that the Toyota Prius can enjoy a long life with proper handling and regular maintenance.
Common problems and failures of the Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is the most popular hybrid in existence , not least because it was the first commercially available gas-electric hybrid vehicle for sale in the United States. The Toyota Prius appeared in 1997 in a compact sedan form that has morphed into the stylish vehicle we know and love today.
Although Toyota did not invent the gas-electric hybrid engine, it was the first to bring it into mass production. Environmentally conscious drivers love the Prius for its incredible fuel economy. However, there are some common Toyota Prius faults that cause a lot of complaints from owners.
1- Problems with windshields
Windshield cracking is one of the most commonly reported 2016 Toyota Prius failures. According to some owners, the crack in the front windshield spreads very quickly. They say that even the smallest stone could crack up to two-thirds of the surface of the windshield .
To resolve this problem, some owners have had to replace their windshields. Although this issue appears to be a design flaw, at the time of writing, Toyota has not issued any recalls to address this issue.
2- Excessive oil consumption
According to some 2011 Toyota Prius owners, problems related to excessive oil consumption are common in some units of this model year. The affected vehicles burned motor oil at a rate of approximately one quart per 1,000 miles.
Some owners had to top up their engine oil every two weeks to prevent the oil warning light from coming on. Drivers had to pay close attention to their car’s oil levels to avoid serious engine damage .
To resolve this issue, some owners had to replace leaking timing cover gaskets. Others were not so lucky and had to change the engine of their vehicles. At the time of writing this post, Toyota has not issued a recall to fix this bug.
3- Engine problems
Engine problems are among the most reported problems with the 2010 Toyota Prius. According to some owners, their vehicles have experienced a wide variety of engine-related problems, such as a blown head gasket, engine hesitation, engine misfire , overheating, and stagnation.
Toyota has issued recalls for this model year to address multiple engine issues . In order to properly diagnose these problems, it is best to seek the expertise of a licensed mechanic for an accurate diagnosis.
4- Failure in the headlights
Many 2008 Toyota Prius owners have reported problems with their car’s headlights, which can go out while driving. Turning them off and on again may work but only for a few minutes. In some cases, both headlights go out simultaneously.
On some affected vehicles, changing the headlight bulbs was not sufficient to resolve the issue. Others had to change the headlight assembly to fix it. At the time of writing this article, Toyota has not issued any recalls to resolve this issue.
5- Problems with interior accessories
According to 2007 Toyota Prius owners, problems due to malfunctioning instrument cluster display, warning system, reversing camera, and cruise control are common in some units of this model year.
Among these interior accessory problems, control panel display problems are the most common. Some drivers report that the dashboard display suddenly cuts out, leaving them with no visible speed, odometer and fuel gauges. Their vehicles wouldn’t lock up and their engines wouldn’t shut down either.
Those who took their vehicles to the dealership discovered that these problems were due to a bad battery that needed to be replaced. Although there has been no recall to resolve this problem, this failure may be covered by your car’s warranty.
6- Incorrect fuel gauge reading
Many 2006 Toyota Prius owners have reported problems with their vehicle’s fuel gauge giving inaccurate readings and working intermittently. Drivers of affected vehicles noted that fuel levels remained low despite filling up the tank and found that the levels dropped much faster compared to the mileage indicated on the odometer.
To resolve this issue, it may be necessary to perform a vehicle fuel gauge recalibration procedure.
In summary
If your intention is to buy a Toyota Prius, be prepared to accept the good and the potentially bad. As long as you are aware of the issues that the specific model year you are planning to purchase may have, the purchase should be low risk. Knowing what to expect will help you avoid costly repairs through preventative maintenance, so you can maximize the life of your hybrid.
