2021 Toyota Prius Safety Report
2021 Toyota Prius Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Toyota Prius
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Toyota Prius. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (6) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Fuel/Propulsion System | Compare fuel/propulsion system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Toyota Prius with 14 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Toyota Prius before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Prius Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Prius years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Toyota Prius | 22 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Toyota Prius | 14 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Toyota Prius | 15 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Toyota Prius | 28 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Toyota Prius | 20 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Toyota Prius | 34 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Toyota Prius Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Toyota Prius, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyVehicle Speed Control
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control issues Toyota onlyForward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure issues Toyota onlyElectrical System,Service Brakes,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Service Brakes,Engine issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyWheels
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Wheels issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Toyota Prius
Reliability Score
The 2021 Toyota Prius receives a reliability score of 87 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Propulsion System Issues The engine and propulsion system can cause unexpected start and stop during charging, affecting power delivery and potentially leading to reduced performance. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Unintended Acceleration Vehicle speed control malfunctions have led to unintended acceleration, posing a significant safety risk, especially at low mileage. |
High | Common | 0-30k miles |
| Lane Keeping Assist Malfunction Lane keeping assist may not function correctly in radar cruise control mode, potentially leading to vehicle drifting out of lane. |
Medium | Occasional | 0-30k miles |
| Brake System Failure There have been reports of brake failure during unexpected acceleration, requiring immediate action to avoid hazards. |
Low | Occasional | 0-30k 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:
Issues with the engine and propulsion system are the most common problems reported.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Toyota Prius
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Toyota Prius with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
When i am going down it's charging when the charge reaches 6 from 8 the engine starts working and stop changing at that point and the power continues comes from engine only without the hybrid battery and there are no codes
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 - 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The contact swerved around the vehicle in front and ended up on the opposite side of the roadway. The contact attempted to avoid oncoming traffic and swerving around all the other vehicles ...
The Lane keeping assist used in radar cruise control mode during some drive cycles will attempt to maintain the vehicle position to the far extreme of the lane and in some cases actively veer out of the lane. My safety ant others can be put at risk when the vehicle behaves outside of its design parameters like this. To solve the issue the vehicle must be pulled over, turned off, then restarted. Af...
The car accelerated without my foot on the accelerator, brake did not respond, and I had to drive through grass and a rock-filled ditch until after about 10 seconds the car returned to my control.
CARBON MONOXIDE SEEPS INTO THE PASSENGER CAR BUT DILLER CANNOT FIND IT AND DID NOT HAVE TOOLS TO DETECT CO LEVEL IN THE CAR. I CAN'T USE THIS CAR BECAUSE WAS POISONED MANY TIMES AND AFTER A SECOND CHECK-UP, THE LEVEL OF CO BECOMES HIGHER SO I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT POISONING. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM WORRYING TO SELL MY CAR BECAUSE OTHER DRIVER WILL GET INJURY. THIS IS THE NEW CAR ONLY 7000 MILE...
WHILE DRIVING ON THE I 4 WE HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 200 MILES ON IT SO IT WAS BRAND NEW. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND OBJECT IN THE TIRE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE PROBLEM THE ONLY CONCLUSION I COULD COME TO IS THAT THIS TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I COULD HAVE RUN OVER A LARGE OBJECT OR A LARGE POTHOLE, WHICH I DOUBT.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Toyota Prius
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Toyota Prius
Has the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS been recalled?
No, the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS have?
The 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS has 6 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
The 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS involve fuel/propulsion system (1 complaints), vehicle speed control (1 complaints), forward collision avoidance,lane departure (1 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,service brakes,engine, unknown or other,engine,fuel/propulsion system, wheels.
How many crash reports does the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS.
Should I buy a 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 6 complaints, 0 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS are: 1. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints), 2. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints), 3. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE (1 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE (1 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints). FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
Be cautious of potential engine and propulsion system issues and unintended acceleration. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS has 6 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
The 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 6 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Propulsion System Issues and Unintended Acceleration.
What are the known issues with the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
Known issues with the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS include: Engine and Propulsion System Issues, Unintended Acceleration, Lane Keeping Assist Malfunction, Brake System Failure. These are based on patterns found across 6 NHTSA complaints.
What are the common issues with the 2021 Toyota Prius?
Common issues include engine and propulsion system problems and unintended acceleration.
Can the car's lane keeping assist be trusted?
Lane keeping assist may not function correctly, especially in radar cruise control mode.
What should I do if I experience unintended acceleration?
Immediately apply the brakes and seek professional assistance to diagnose and fix the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential engine and propulsion system issues and unintended acceleration. Regular maintenance is crucial.
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.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16