Before you buy a used Toyota Prius (IV).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 3 documented, sourced faults across its 2 engines.
- 2 of them depend on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 5 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 2 of its engines.
- Clogged hybrid battery cooling fan and filterHigh-voltage battery
- Period mentioned
- 2003 onwards
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Period mentioned
- 2016 tech tip for all its models
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Toyota USA tech tip for all its models: it applies if the judder began after wheels, pads or discs were removed or changed.
- Period mentioned
- 2016–2024
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Toyota USA bulletin for this same engine; ask Toyota whether there is a fix for your car.
1.8 Hybrid · Prius Plug-in
1.8 Hybrid (Hybrid) · Prius Plug-in (Plug-in hybrid)
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 HybridHybrid | 32 with conditions | 5 |
| Prius Plug-inPlug-in hybrid | 32 with conditions | 5 |
According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Toyota dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Toyota airbag and seat-belt recalls (2003–2024)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota brake recalls (2000–2025)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota electric and hybrid drive recalls (2012–2026)Electric drive
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota engine, transmission and software recalls (2002–2026)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2004–2025)Electrical and electronic systems
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 3 checked
High-voltage battery
Look out for: Hybrid battery cooling maintenance message, warning light with codes P0A80 or P0A7F, a noisy fan and less electric assistance; if ignored, the battery ages faster.
Ask them to check: Clean or replace the filter and clean the fan before condemning the battery; keep the intake grille clear. At the garage, read the codes and, if needed, install the software Toyota specifies.
Brakes
Look out for: Vibration in the steering wheel and the pedal when braking, even gently and at any speed, often shortly after wheels, pads or discs were changed.
Ask them to check: Ask the garage to loosen and re-tighten the nuts with a torque wrench, to the manual's torque and in a star pattern, and to measure whether the discs have been left warped; if so, they will need skimming or replacing.
Engine
Look out for: The engine warning light (MIL) comes on. The engine computer stores codes P210015 (throttle actuator motor circuit shorted to battery or open), P210019 (throttle actuator motor current too high) or P211172 (throttle stuck open).
Ask them to check: Read the full codes (with their last two digits) and ask Toyota whether there is a newer engine-computer program for your VIN before replacing the throttle body. If the code returns after reprogramming, check the throttle connector and wiring.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Clogged hybrid battery cooling fan and filter
- Brake judder from wheel nuts over-tightened or tightened unevenly (Toyota tech tip)
- Engine warning light and throttle codes P2100 / P2111 on the 1.8 hybrid (2ZR-FXE)
- Toyota airbag and seat-belt recalls (2003–2024)
- Toyota brake recalls (2000–2025)
- Toyota electric and hybrid drive recalls (2012–2026)
- Toyota engine, transmission and software recalls (2002–2026)
- Toyota electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2004–2025)
More Toyota buying guides
- Toyota C-HR (I)2016–2023
- Toyota Aygo (II)2014–2022
- Toyota GT86 / GR862012–2024
- Toyota Mirai2015–2026
- Toyota Hilux (VIII)2016–2026
- Toyota Proace / Proace Verso (II)2016–2026
- Toyota Prius+2012–2021
- Toyota Camry2019–2024