The Lemon Index
201620184th generation
68 owner complaints, first 3 years 52–56 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2017 Chevrolet Volt 8562017 Chevrolet Bolt 2542017 Tesla Model 3
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2017 Toyota Prius
- Engine stalling10 complaintsmostly at 2,500–68,000 miles (4,000–109,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 147 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Toyota Prius (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,300 and 21,000 miles (6,900–34,000 km) (the middle half of the 60 complaints, of all 68 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V579000 (electrical), 17V295000 (tires) and 16V741000 (parking brake) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Toyota sent dealers 246 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Front Brake Vibration Key Points: * Issue can occur at any time if improper torque is applied…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 68 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 21K miles (7K to 34K km) on the car (60 of all 68 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I want to check if there is a issue with the pre collision and the braking assistance features. My Prius prime roll forward during a idled stop and I did not receive warning and the car did not assist stop feature did not engage.
2017 Toyota Prius owner · NHTSA complaint 11045390
More owner reports
We parked the car and went for a hike. Upon returning to the car, we noticed a foot long crack had formed in the windshield. It does not appear to be connected to any chips or damage to the windshield.
NHTSA complaint 11130795
Car was hit by flying debris which produced large crack in windshield. Vehicle was traveling down two lane highway at legal speed.
NHTSA complaint 11000918
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 19.9M views · 2016–2022 Toyota Prius
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical441K views
Toyota Prius (2016-2022): Hybrid Battery Air Filter Replacement.Morozov Automotive · 173K views · 5 videos - Cooling system234K views
2018 Toyota Prius Losing Coolant & Smoking... The REAL Problem Solved(Not Engine)The Solutionist · 207K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service134K views
How to Change Engine Oil and Filter Toyota Prius 2016-2023 | EASY!2CarPros · 40K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door111K views
2017 Prius Losing Coolant? White Smoke EASY FIX-Heater Exchange Bypass hoses at CATALYTIC CONVERTER!DIYBigGuy · 42K views · 3 videos
Show 2 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring54K views
How To Reset The Oil Life On 2016 - 2022 Toyota Prius - Clear Maintenance Required Soon LightPYR Automotive · 54K views - Spark plugs & ignition coils21K views
2016 Toyota Prius spark plug replacement (EASY AND SIMPLE!!!)Jabo The Mechanic · 21K views
Before you buy, watch
Toyota Prius Plus 2015-2019 | EVERYTHING you need to know... | should YOU buy one??Car and Driving - Car Reviews · 63K views
Toyota Prius 4th Gen 2016 to 2021 common problems, issues, defects, recalls and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 30K views
Used 4th Gen Prius (2016-2022) Still a Smart Buy? Common Problems & ReliabilityAnother Lap · 26K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2017 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 246 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Front Brake Vibration Key Points: * Issue can occur at any time if improper torque is applied…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Electrical · recall issued 2018
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.
- Tires · recall issued 2017
The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
- Parking brake · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Prius C 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,150–$1,250 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl.
Every Toyota Prius year. 2017 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 24 Toyota Prius years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2017 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-prius/?y=2017" title="Toyota Prius reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="767" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-prius/2017/">Lemon Index</a> (2017 Toyota Prius reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2017 Toyota Prius reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 84; 100 is average, lower is better). 2017 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.8× the average car's complaints. The Toyota Prius year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2021.
What are the most common 2017 Toyota Prius problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wipers & visibility (22%), brakes (19%) and speed control (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Toyota Prius have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Toyota Prius get?
52 to 56 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 Toyota Prius safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2017 Toyota Prius problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,300 and 21,000 miles (6,900–34,000 km) (the middle half of the 60 complaints, of all 68 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2017 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2017 Toyota Prius have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2017 Toyota Prius cost in fuel a year?
About $1,150 to $1,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Toyota Prius have?
1.8L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Prius year is better than the 2017?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works