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.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2018 Toyota Prius has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 35 owner complaints, and gets about 54 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 1.8L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular Gas and Electricity
- Body Midsize Cars
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
2 injuries reported
Out of 35 owner reports. Reports are tips, not proof every car has the problem.
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
Tested as: 2018 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD
Open safety recalls
1 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
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.
640 miles
estimated range on a full charge
About $1,150 per year for electricity
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $6,750 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 1.8L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel
Regular Gas and Electricity
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.8L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 1.8 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Body
- Midsize Cars
- Fuel
- Regular Gas and Electricity
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 54 mpg combined (55 city / 53 highway), about $1,150 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.
MORE TOYOTA RESEARCH
FREE IN THE APP
Comparing a few cars? Save the 2018 Toyota Prius and line it up against the others in the app.
No account. Saving and comparing cars is free.
FREE ON iOS
Shopping for a 2018 Toyota Prius?
Scan any VIN with your camera, save cars you’re comparing, and browse listings near you. All free. Same NHTSA and EPA data you see here, plus a camera-first VIN scanner.