What's Wrong with the 4th Generation (2016–2021) Prius?

Prius owners have made 59 complaints about the 2016–2021 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 43rd out of 81 Toyota generations in overall reliability, with some windows and interior concerns.

Compare With Other Prius Generations

Common 2016-2021 Toyota Prius Problems

Some of the worst issues 4th generation Prius owners have to deal with.

  1. Bluetooth Echos During Calls

    What's the point of hands-free calling if you can't have a conversation without an annoying echo getting in the way? That's the position many 2016-2019 Toyota owners find themselves in as they struggle with their car's bluetooth connection.

    Continue reading article "Bluetooth Echos During Calls"

  2. Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires

    Somewhere in the mid-2000's there was an industry-wide push by automakers to replace plastic and glass-based wiring insulation with a more eco-friendly soy-based coating. It's biodegradable, commendable, and a complete disaster for owners. …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

4th Generation (2016–2021) Prius Key Numbers

  1. 4 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 59 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 43rd in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 81 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 4th Generation Prius Owners

  • Freeman, et al., v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. et al.

    1. Case Filed

      Toyota Bluetooth echo problems have caused a class action lawsuit that alleges when the driver of the Toyota uses the hands-free phone system to make or receive a call, the person on the other end of the call hears an echo of their own words.

    Problem
    Bluetooth Echos During Calls
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2018 4Runner
    • 2017-2018 Avalon
    • 2017-2018 Avalon Hybrid
    • 2016-2018 Highlander
    • 2016-2018 Highlander Hybrid
    • 2016-2018 Prius
    • 2016-2018 Prius V
    • 2016-2018 Sequoia
    • 2016-2018 Sienna
    • 2016-2018 Tacoma
    • 2016-2018 Tundra
    • 2018 Yaris
    Location
    Missouri

Recent 4th Generation (2016–2021) Prius News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A lawsuit wonders how Toyota can keep calling their bluetooth implementation "hands-free" when owners very much need to use their hands to prevent echos on each and every call.

    For years owners have complained about this issue, but Toyota's only suggestion has been to pickup the phone and turn it's volume all the way up after the call has been initiated. Oh, and also make sure the radio volume is below level 45. Sorta defeats the point, don't you think?…

    keep reading article "Illinois Lawsuit Says Toyota's Hands-Free Calling is Unusable"

  2. The threat of electrical fires has led Toyota to recall a million Prius cars worldwide

    , with 192,000 of those vehicles in the United States. An exposed portion of one of the engine’s wiring harnesses is likely to wear down and short-circuit in the 2016-2018 model years. A short circuit can create a spark → a spark can create a flame → a flame can created a charred mass where your Prius once stood.…

    keep reading article "Prius Recalled Worldwide Over Threat of Electrical Fires"

  5. When Toyota switched away from using plastic or glass-based inulation in favor of soy, it invited in some very unwelcome Toyota loyalisits.

    According to the plaintiff, she learned the hard way about the soy wiring when her Avalon wouldn't start and a look under the hood showed wires chewed, so she had the car towed to a dealer. Toyota told her rodents had caused the damage and it would be no problem to repair the problems as long as she could cough up $6,000 to cover the bill.

    The soy-based wiring is allegedly attracting in rodents, who love to chew it up and use it for nesting material. The lawsuit, Heidi Browder vs. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al. follows a similar lawsuit filed against Honda earlier this year.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Toyota’s Use of Soy-Based Wiring is Attracting Rodent Damage"

  6. Toyota is being skimpy on the details, but they did announce a parking brake recall for the 2016 and 2017 Prius.

    Toyota is recalling about 340,000 Prius cars worldwide, including about 92,000 located in the U.S. The 2016-2017 Toyota Prius sedans have parking brakes that could fail, leading to a higher chance of rollaway incidents. Dealers will add some clips to the top of the brake cable dust boots to hold things in place. Owners should start getting notices in November 2016.

    keep reading article "Parking brake recall for 2016-2017 Prius"