Is the 2017 Toyota PRIUS reliable?

The 2017 Toyota PRIUS has 127 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Toyota PRIUS?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (17 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (14 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (14 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Toyota PRIUS?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE, PARKING BRAKE. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Toyota PRIUS?

The 2017 Toyota PRIUS gets 52 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $923. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Toyota PRIUS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Toyota PRIUS is approximately $1,511/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Toyota PRIUS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Toyota PRIUS has 127 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 127. The most common issue is visibility problems (13% of all complaints), specifically: traveling east on the 10 through phoenix az, my windshield was hit by something so small i couldn't see it. caused a star less than 1/3" but also a winding crack almost 1 ft. long. the real problem is that every day when i come out to my car, the crack has grown in a snaking pattern. it does not gro. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 15 crash reports 11 injuries

127

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

17 complaints

13%

• TRAVELING EAST ON THE 10 THROUGH PHOENIX AZ, MY WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY SOMETHING SO SMALL I COULDN'T SEE IT. CAUSED A STAR LESS THAN 1/3" BUT ALSO A WINDING CRACK ALMOST 1 FT. LONG. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT EVERY DAY WHEN I COME OUT TO MY CAR, THE CRACK HAS GROWN IN A SNAKING PATTERN. IT DOES NOT GRO
• CAR WAS HIT BY FLYING DEBRIS WHICH PRODUCED LARGE CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING DOWN TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT LEGAL SPEED.
• DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND A SMALL ROCK HIT THE OUTER EDGE OF MY WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES HAD AN 8 INCH CRACK AND BY THE END OF THE DAY IT HAS EXPANDED TO OVER 12 INCHES. CALLED TO HAVE FIXED AND WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN ON BACKORDER FOR OVER A MONTH. CAR IS ONKY 1 WEEK OLD!

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TRAVELING EAST ON THE 10 THROUGH PHOENIX AZ, MY WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY SOMETHING SO SMALL I COULDN'T SEE IT. CAUSED A STAR LESS THAN 1/3" BUT ALSO A WINDING CRACK ALMOST 1 FT. LONG. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT EVERY DAY WHEN I COME OUT TO MY CAR, THE CRACK HAS GROWN IN A SNAKING PATTERN. IT DOES NOT GRO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Toyota PRIUS

Based on 94 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 14K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING05/09/2018

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.

Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Toyota PRIUS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$923

Per month

$77

Per mile

7.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$889/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$960/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Toyota PRIUS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,511

Full coverage / month

$126

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-10%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1511

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota PRIUS Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2017 PRIUS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 127 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: TRAVELING EAST ON THE 10 THROUGH PHOENIX AZ, MY WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY SOMETHING SO SMALL I COULDN'T SEE IT. CAUSED A STAR LESS THAN 1/3" BUT ALSO A WINDING CRACK ALMOST 1 FT. LONG. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT EVERY DAY WHEN I COME OUT TO MY CAR, THE CRACK HAS GROWN IN A SNAKING PATTERN. IT DOES NOT GRO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: PLEASE NOTE: THAT I HAVE OWNED A PREVIOUS GENERATION PRIUS - A 2011 - AND I AM MORE THAN AWARE THAT REGENERATIVE BRAKING WORKS ENTIRELY DIFFERENTLY THAN A CONVENTIONAL BRAKING SYSTEM. SO IN NO WAY AM I REFERRING TO THE "USUAL NOISES" THAT COME FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMEN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: CAR STARTED BY ITSELF WHEN IT WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY IN HOT WEATHER IN THE SUN. MY KEY FOB DOES NOT HAVE A REMOTE STARTING MECHANISM - ONLY DOOR UNLOCK AND LOCK CAPABILITY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT STRUCK A POLICE VEHICLE. THE OFFICER GAVE THE CONTACT A WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. THE LOCAL DE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)