2023 Toyota Prius Safety Report

2023 Toyota Prius shows early concerns with tire durability, rear hatch failures, and an open recall, despite limited overall complaints.

15Complaints
0Recalls
65/100Reliability Score
1Injuries
1Deaths
Most reported components: Unknown Or Other (3)Wheels (2)Seat Belts,Structure (1)Structure (1)Tires,Wheels (1)Electrical System (1)Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages (1)Power Train,Service Brakes (1)Service Brakes (1)Tires (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Toyota Prius

The 2023 Toyota Prius, being a new model, has a limited safety data set with 15 total NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 1 death reported. NHTSA has not yet released official crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover) for this specific model year. Despite the low complaint volume, several concerning patterns emerge. A significant number of complaints, 7 out of 15, relate to tires and wheels, with multiple reports of blowouts, sidewall failures, and difficulty sourcing replacement 19-inch tires. This suggests a potential design or component issue with the tire/wheel combination, especially for models equipped with 19-inch wheels. Another notable issue is related to the rear hatch, with reports of it unexpectedly dropping and causing injury, and plastic trim cracking. There is also one serious incident involving a stall at highway speed leading to a fatal rear-end collision, which is a critical concern despite being a single report. The vehicle also has one open recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V274000) concerning the electrical system and latches/locks/linkages, for which parts are not yet available, indicating a known manufacturing defect that has not yet been fully addressed.

Reliability Score

The 2023 Toyota Prius receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2023 Toyota Prius

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Toyota Prius:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Tire Blowouts And Sidewall Failures
Multiple reports of tires failing prematurely, including blowouts and sidewall damage, particularly with 19-inch Michelin Primacy A/S tires, with some owners reporting 7 failures by 30,000 miles.
High Common 0-30000 miles
Rear Hatch Strut Failure And Trim Damage
Rear hatch unexpectedly dropping due to strut separation, causing injury, and reports of plastic trim cracking around the hatch handle.
Medium Occasional 0-10000 miles
Difficulty Sourcing 19-Inch Replacement Tires
Owners with 19-inch wheels report that the specific Michelin 195/50R19 Primacy A/S tires are not readily available at dealerships or tire stores.
Medium Common 0-30000 miles
Electrical System/Door Lock Recall (24v274000)
An open recall exists for the electrical system and latches/locks/linkages, with owners reporting defective front door locks and remote control issues, and parts for repair are not yet available.
Medium Common 0-10000 miles
Vehicle Stalling At Highway Speed
One report of the vehicle stalling at highway speed, leading to loss of steering and a fatal rear-end collision.
High Rare 0-10000 miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Toyota Prius:

Tires, Wheels 47% of complaints

A significant number of complaints (7 out of 15) relate to tire failures, including blowouts, sidewall damage, and difficulty finding replacements, particularly for 19-inch wheels.

Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages 20% of complaints

Issues with the rear hatch, including struts failing causing the hatch to drop, and plastic trim cracking. Also, door lock malfunctions are reported, tied to an open recall.

Electrical System 13% of complaints

Complaints about defective door locks and a low 12-volt battery, which is also linked to the open recall 24V274000.

Service Brakes 13% of complaints

Reports of the vehicle rolling backward while in drive with the brake depressed, and automatic braking system engaging unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Toyota Prius

Is the 2023 Toyota Prius safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 Toyota Prius has a limited number of complaints (15 total) as a new model. However, there are concerning patterns, including multiple reports of tire failures, rear hatch issues, and an open recall for electrical/door lock problems. One severe incident involving a highway stall and a fatality has been reported. Official crash test ratings are not yet available from NHTSA.

What are common problems with the 2023 Toyota Prius?

The most reported issues for the 2023 Toyota Prius are related to tires and wheels (47% of complaints), with multiple instances of blowouts and sidewall failures, especially with 19-inch tires. Other common problems include rear hatch strut failures and trim damage, electrical system issues like defective door locks (linked to recall 24V274000), and service brake anomalies.

Are there any recalls for the 2023 Toyota Prius?

Yes, there is one open recall for the 2023 Toyota Prius: NHTSA Campaign Number 24V274000, concerning the Electrical System and Latches/Locks/Linkages. Owners have reported that parts for this recall repair are not yet available.

What should I know about the tires on the 2023 Toyota Prius?

Owners of the 2023 Toyota Prius, particularly those with 19-inch wheels, have reported a high frequency of tire failures, including blowouts and sidewall damage. Additionally, finding replacement 195/50R19 Michelin Primacy A/S tires has been a significant challenge for some owners.

Has the 2023 Toyota Prius been crash tested?

As of the current data, the 2023 Toyota Prius has not yet received official crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover) from NHTSA.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the early reports of tire durability issues, rear hatch failures, and an open recall with unavailable parts, potential buyers should exercise caution and thoroughly inspect the vehicle, especially the tires and rear hatch mechanism. Be aware of the potential for costly tire replacements and the need to address the open recall once parts become available.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Toyota Prius

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Toyota Prius. The data includes 15 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities 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.