2021 Toyota Prius Safety Report
2021 Toyota Prius shows low complaint volume but includes serious reports of unintended acceleration and potential CO leak.
AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Toyota Prius
Reliability Score
The 2021 Toyota Prius receives a reliability score of 70 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2021 Toyota Prius
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Toyota Prius:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unintended Acceleration Vehicle independently accelerated, with brake pedal reportedly failing to stop the vehicle immediately, as reported in two separate complaints. |
High | Rare | unknown miles |
| Lane Keeping Assist Malfunction Lane keeping assist system attempts to maintain vehicle position at lane extremes and can actively veer out of the lane. |
Medium | Rare | unknown miles |
| Carbon Monoxide Seepage Into Cabin Report of carbon monoxide seeping into the passenger compartment, causing poisoning symptoms. |
High | Rare | unknown miles |
| Tire Blowout On New Vehicle Rear passenger tire blowout on a brand new vehicle (less than 200 miles), potentially due to a defective tire. |
Medium | Rare | under 200 miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Toyota Prius:
Two out of six complaints relate to unintended acceleration where the vehicle sped up without driver input and brakes were ineffective.
One complaint details the Lane Keeping Assist system malfunctioning, causing the vehicle to veer out of its lane.
One complaint describes carbon monoxide seeping into the passenger cabin, indicating a serious air quality or exhaust system issue.
One complaint reports a tire blowout on a very new vehicle, suggesting a potential tire defect.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Toyota Prius
Is the 2021 Toyota Prius safe?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Toyota Prius has a very low number of complaints (6 total) and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. However, some complaints describe serious issues like unintended acceleration and potential carbon monoxide leaks, which are significant safety concerns. NHTSA crash test ratings are not available for this model year, so its crashworthiness cannot be assessed from this data.
What are common problems with the 2021 Toyota Prius?
The most reported issues, despite the low overall complaint volume, include unintended acceleration (2 complaints), a malfunctioning Lane Keeping Assist system (1 complaint), and a serious report of carbon monoxide seeping into the cabin (1 complaint). There was also a report of a tire blowout on a new vehicle.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Toyota Prius?
No, according to the provided NHTSA data, there are currently no recalls issued for the 2021 Toyota Prius.
How does the 2021 Toyota Prius perform in crash tests?
NHTSA crash test ratings for the 2021 Toyota Prius are not available (N/A) for Overall, Frontal, Side, or Rollover categories, so its crash test performance cannot be determined from this data.
Should I be concerned about unintended acceleration in the 2021 Toyota Prius?
While only two complaints out of six mention unintended acceleration, the nature of these incidents, where the vehicle accelerated independently and brakes were reportedly ineffective, is very serious. It's a significant concern that prospective buyers should be aware of, despite the low frequency.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: While the 2021 Toyota Prius has a low complaint count typical for a new model, be aware of serious reported issues like unintended acceleration and potential CO leaks; consider these factors given the lack of NHTSA crash test data.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Toyota Prius
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Toyota Prius. The data includes 6 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.