Selling a Toyota Prius Prime with problems

The Prime has a short record: 120 complaints with NHTSA across eight model years. That makes recalls and warranty coverage the first things to check.

Two generations, two battery sizes

The Prime is the plug-in version of the Prius. Toyota started US deliveries in November 2016. This page covers the 2017-2024 Prius Prime. Later plug-ins are sold as the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and NHTSA files them under the Prius.

Toyota rates the 2023 SE at 44 electric miles. The fueleconomy.gov record we read for the 2023 lists 40. Both generations are built at Toyota's Tsutsumi plant in Japan.

What goes wrong, by year

2017-2020: windshields

The first Primes carry the most complaints. The 2017 has 42, and visibility leads with 9. Owners describe cracks that show up with no impact. One owner was on a second crack after replacing the glass once, and the new crack could not be repaired. Visibility is also the top complaint on the 2020, with 5. No recall covers the glass.

2019-2022: brakes and a hybrid shutdown

Recall 19V544 covers 2019-2020 Primes in a group of 6,925 Toyota and Lexus hybrids. Their brake booster pump can fail, which turns off stability control and takes away brake assist. Dealers inspect the pump and replace it if needed.

Recall 21V734 covers 8,411 cars, 2022 Prius and Prius Prime. Engine computer software could falsely detect an error and shut the hybrid system down, so the car loses drive power. Dealers reflash the software.

2023-2024: the rear door switch

Water can get into the rear door switch on these cars and short it. A rear door that is not locked can then open on its own. Recall 24V274 replaced both rear opener switches on 55,690 Prius and Prius Prime cars. In January 2026, Toyota filed 26V049, which expands and replaces it. That campaign covers 141,286 vehicles: 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid. Dealers now modify the switch circuits, and cars repaired under the first recall need this fix as well. One 2024 owner reported that the part for the first recall was not available when the notice came.

2023-2024: the 12-volt battery

Electrical is the top complaint on both newer years: 3 of 6 on the 2023 and 5 of 13 on the 2024. Owners write about losing 12-volt power so the car won't start. One was stranded three times with no warning. Another took the car in for a low 12-volt warning and was told nothing was wrong. No recall or Toyota campaign covers this, and the cause is not established.

Complaints and recalls by model year

NHTSA's files as of October 10, 2026. Recall counts include a regional distributor's label recall and a camera display recall, 25V744, whose notice does not clearly name the Prime; check your VIN for that one.

Before you sell

1. Recalls. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. On a 2023-2024, ask whether the 26V049 repair is done, even if 24V274 was.
2. Hybrid battery. For the 2020 model year and later, plug-ins included, Toyota covers the battery for ten years or up to 150,000 miles, whichever is reached first. A 2017-2019 Prime had 8 years or 100,000 miles, so the oldest cars are at or past the end of it.
3. Won't start? Owners of newer Primes report 12-volt battery drain, so test that first. Our non-running car guide lists what to check before you call it dead.
4. Still making payments? See selling with a loan owed.

We don't print repair costs for the Prime because we have no sourced figures. Ask for a written estimate.

Selling the whole Prime

1. Collect the VIN, mileage, the warning messages on the screen, and whether it powers on.
2. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where it is parked, in a garage, a lot or at the curb, and whether it can be put in Neutral to roll.
4. Keep the car whole. Missing parts lower the offer. The charging cable is a part; include it if you have it.
5. At pickup, the title is signed over and you show ID. Your state decides who keeps the plates; after you sell lists the rules.

See also the regular Prius and the RAV4 Prime.