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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2020 Toyota Prius has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 14 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

2020 Toyota Prius

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

Should you worry?

Be careful

Serious flags in the public record. Read the details below before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

None

No open recalls, but there’s an open government investigation — check nhtsa.gov.

Serious

What do owners report?

6 injuries reported

Out of 14 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 2020.

  • 20181recall
  • 20193recalls
  • 2020 · this car0recalls
  • 20210recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 2, 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: 2020 Toyota PRIUS 5 HB FWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

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

No open safety recalls on file for this year and model.

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 2, 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 2020.

  • 201835reports
  • 201929reports
  • 2020 · this car14reports
  • 20216reports

14 owner reports on file

6 crash mentions 6 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 14 total reports.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 of 14

    I TURNED LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE IN MY 2020 PRIUS. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND MY CAR SHOT FORWARD. I COULDN'T STOP IT, AND IT HIT A CONCRETE POLE. IT ONLY TOOK 1 SECOND. IT SEEMS TOYOTA HYBRIDS ARE STILL HAVING THIS UNINTENTIONAL ACCELE

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 of 14

    On May 16, 2023 I was slowly driving out of a market parking lot when the car suddenly accelerated, full throttle, and speeded across the street (Colusa Avenue, Berkeley, CA), crashing head on into a fence. Immediately after the crash, the

  • SERVICE BRAKES 2 of 14

    Attempted to park in my garage and overshot the turn. The brake then failed to stop and I dented my garage outer wall. I reversed my car and tried to reposition it to go inside the garage, putting it on drive. However, the brake pedal made

  • TIRES 2 of 14

    Ballooning on side wall of tire. When brought to dealer, they indicated that three other tires had same problem but not as obvious. Car had only 24k miles, with half these on these tires (rest on snow tires). Dealer reported that this was a

  • AIR BAGS 1 of 14

    I was the victim of an accident on [XXX]. The person of the other vehicle that collided with my vehicle after crossing at high speed and without stopping in the red light. The sensors of the anti-collision vehicle of my vehicle did not work

  • BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 of 14

    After heavy rains, the car says the park assist doesn't work, as well as the parking sensor system. There is a warning sign that says it doesn't work.

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

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 2, 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 2020.

  • 201852mpg
  • 201952mpg
  • 2020 · this car46mpg
  • 202152mpg

$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 2, 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 2, 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

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

2020 Toyota Prius listings

    Quick answers

    Are there any recalls on the 2020 Toyota Prius? +

    No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2020 Toyota Prius. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

    What gas mileage does the 2020 Toyota Prius get? +

    The EPA rates the 2020 Toyota Prius at 46 mpg combined (48 city / 43 highway), about $1,350 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2020 Toyota Prius? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 Toyota Prius 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2020 Toyota Prius? +

    Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota Prius, including 6 involving a crash. The most-reported area is unknown or other.

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