There are no safety recalls for the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime, but owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA.
2018 Toyota Prius Prime problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Unknown or Other | 3 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 2 | |
| Power Train | 2 | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | |
| Engine | 1 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | |
| Structure | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 1
- Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 1
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 1
- Structure › Body — 1
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch — 1
- Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 15,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2018 Toyota Prius Prime complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Power Train · reported Mar 10, 2026
On at least 4 occasions when the EV battery becomes depleted while driving at highway speeds and the car is switching to gas, the engine completely loses all power. This has lasted from 10-30 seconds. The dealership said a small battery needed to be replaced, and replaced that, but this recurred within a month of replacement.
Unknown or Other · reported Mar 4, 2026
There has been at least 4 times that the vehicle was not responsive to acceleration (stalled for a few seconds) then picked back up. Problem has been intermittent. There is no dash indication of an issue. Because concern is intermittent I havenât taken vehicle in. There is NO CHECK ENGINE light on. My wife experienced it once, Iâve experienced it 3 times. Once going up steep hill, once on a steady incline and the other 2 times at 50 mph on the highway. My laymanâs take points to an Inverter issue in the IPM. Intelligent Power Module having a voltage issue that causes vehicle to stall.
Visibility · reported Feb 26, 2025
Hi, My Prius Prime recently just suffered the loss of heat in the middle of winter. Based on the diagnostic of my local Toyota dealer, it appears one of the metal heater coolant hose had rusted off. This is not just causing a safety issue of having no issue, it is also a risk as the engine can now overheat and suffer permanent damage. Despite being such a serious problem, Toyota doesn't stock the part nor does it know when the new part will come. I am currently owning an asset that can't be safely driven, I would like the NHTSA to review this. Toyota seems to be aware of this issue as they…
Latches/Locks/Linkages · reported Oct 1, 2024
As I was driving on a local highway going approximately 50 mph, the hood of the vehicle released and hit the windshield with full force. Luckily there was no traffic on the local highway at the time of the incident. I did not release the hood at all, and the dealer reports verbally to me that the hood latch is damaged. The incident could have resulted in my death if it happened on the highway.
Structure · reported Nov 6, 2023
My 2018 Toyota Prius Supreme was parked too far away from the curb in front of a house where we were invited, in a residential area in Naperville IL. I entered the car to park it properly. I had my foot on the brakes and pressed the starting button for the engine to turn on. I then put the car on reverse and suddently the car accelerated uncontollably. Went on the grass, hit the neighbor's mailbox and stopped by crashing on a tree. I was in shock but luckily not injured. Other guests were present and witnessed the incident. Police was called in and issued a report. The car was declared by…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime?
Owners report unknown or other problems most often (3 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion system (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 15,000 miles.
Are Toyota recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.