2020 Toyota Prius Safety Report

The 2020 Toyota Prius presents a mixed safety picture based on the limited NHTSA data available. With only 14 total complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 6 injuries reported, the raw numbers suggest a relatively low incident rate. However, a significant pattern of 'unintended acceleration' or 'brake failure' is evident in multiple complaints, with several reports detailing incidents where the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly despite brake application, leading to collisions with poles, fences, and garage walls. For example, one complaint describes the car shooting forward and hitting a concrete pole after the driver stepped on the brake, while another details the car accelerating at full throttle and crashing head-on into a fence. These incidents resulted in injuries and vehicle damage, raising concerns about the vehicle's control systems. Beyond acceleration issues, other notable complaints include tire sidewall ballooning or blowouts, with one report indicating three tires had similar problems at only 24,000 miles. There are also reports of safety features failing, such as anti-collision sensors and airbags not deploying in an accident, and parking assist sensors malfunctioning in moderate rain. The vehicle has no recalls issued by NHTSA, which means these reported issues have not been deemed widespread enough by the manufacturer or regulators to warrant a recall campaign. NHTSA crash test ratings are not available for the 2020 Toyota Prius, making it impossible to assess its performance in controlled crash scenarios. Overall, while the total number of complaints is low, the nature of some complaints, particularly those involving unintended acceleration and brake failure, is severe and directly impacts vehicle safety. The lack of recalls for these critical issues is noteworthy. The absence of NHTSA crash test data means consumers cannot rely on independent government ratings for frontal, side, or rollover protection.

Our recommendation: Prospective buyers should be aware of the reported unintended acceleration and brake issues, and consider a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on the braking system and tires, especially given the lack of NHTSA crash test data and recalls for these critical concerns.