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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2018 Toyota Prius has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 35 owner complaints, and gets about 46 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2018 Toyota Prius

  • Engine 4-cyl 1.5L
  • Drive Front-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Compact Cars

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

1 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

2 injuries reported

Out of 35 owner reports. Reports are tips, not proof every car has the problem.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

5 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 20165recalls
  • 20173recalls
  • 2018 · this car1recall
  • 20193recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
5 / 5 stars
Frontal
4 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
2 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2018 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD

Open safety recalls

1 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Electrical System

    05/09/2018

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.

    How they fix it: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 2016179reports
  • 2017101reports
  • 2018 · this car35reports
  • 201929reports

35 owner reports on file

5 crash mentions 2 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 35 total reports.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 of 35

    Both taillamps holding moisture. Could cause electrical issues or fire. .. same year and model car have same reported issues and were fixed by manufacturer. This vehicle is the same but different level.

  • VISIBILITY/WIPER 4 of 35

    MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY AN OBJECT AND WITHOUT BEING NEAR ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. I WAS NOT SPEEDING OR DRIVING RECKLESSLY. BOTH TIMES REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT O

  • AIR BAGS 3 of 35

    The Airbag lights were lit, the person sitting with seatbelt on (flashing) and the person sitting with an inflated airbag in front of them. I ran an OBD2 scan on SRS and got code B1656. Driver seat belt buckle Left Hand. I Investigated the

  • STRUCTURE 3 of 35

    ON DEC 2, 2020 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED CAUSING US TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SHADE WAS CLOSED WHICH SAVED US FROM EXPLODING GLASS. THERE WERE NO ROAD HAZARDS, NO ISSUES OTHER THAN A SPON

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 of 35

    CONNECT THE PHONE TO STEREO, ACTIVATE DEVICE ASSISTANT, PHONE CALL OR PLAY AUDIO FROM THE DEVICE THROUGH STEREO. THE STEREO WILL REBOOT. THIS HAS OCCURRED A NUMBER OF TIMES DURING THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. DOESN'T MATTER IF VEHIC

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 of 35

    The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine constantly overheated. An unidentified warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. An independent mechanic inspected the

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the c version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 201652mpg
  • 201752mpg
  • 2018 · this car46mpg
  • 201952mpg

$1,350

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 48 mpg
Highway driving 43 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 46 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to save about $4,250 on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

4-cyl 1.5L

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
4-cyl 1.5L
Cylinders
4
Displacement
1.5 L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Body
Compact Cars
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recall was fixed

This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the electrical system). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2018 Toyota Prius listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2018 Toyota Prius? +

    NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius, including the electrical system. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota Prius get? +

    The EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Prius at 46 mpg combined (48 city / 43 highway), about $1,350 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2018 Toyota Prius? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Toyota Prius 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2018 Toyota Prius? +

    Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota Prius, including 5 involving a crash. The most-reported area is exterior lighting.

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