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2018 Toyota Prius recalls and problems

The 2018 Toyota Prius has 1 safety recall and 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
1
Complaints
37
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 Toyota Prius recalls

Recall 18V-579: Electrical System

Reported Sep 5, 2018 · 192,347 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

2018 Toyota Prius problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Unknown or Other6
Visibility/Wiper5
Exterior Lighting5
Vehicle Speed Control4
Service Brakes3
Engine3
Structure3
Air Bags3
Engine and Engine Cooling3
Power Train2
Seats2
Electrical System2

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1
  • Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Abs Warning Light — 1
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 1
  • Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 10,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2018 Toyota Prius complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Oct 2, 2026
I am writing to inform you about a very dangerous situation that occurred to me in June 2026 and that could pose a significant safety risk to other drivers who own 2016-17-18-19 Toyota Prius cars. The risk stems from a defective part (the catalytic converter) that Toyota Corporation knew about in 2019 but failed to notify owners of those models.   Instead of issuing a recall and replacing the defective part, Toyota chose instead to issue a nationwide alert to their mechanics (Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)—0135-19, issued on 9/27/19). Through the TSB, Toyota extended the warranty to 8…
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 89,100 miles · reported Aug 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while having a routine oil change, the contact was made aware that there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was constantly adding coolant to the coolant reservoir; however, the following day the coolant reservoir was empty. The failure had occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched and was made aware of TSB Number: 013519; however, the VIN was not included. The…
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 188,000 miles · reported Jun 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine constantly overheated. An unidentified warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and became aware that the coolant reservoir was empty. One month later, the same failure reoccurred. A second independent mechanic inspected the vehicle, and the coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a coolant leak into the head gasket. The dealer advisor referenced a customer…
Exterior Lighting · reported Mar 13, 2026
Both taillamps holding moisture. Could cause electrical issues or fire. .. same year and model car have same reported issues and were fixed by manufacturer. This vehicle is the same but different level.
Electrical System · reported Aug 26, 2025
Driver door lock actuator not working. This seems to be a common problem for Toyota over the last decade, but they yet to put more vehicles to their recall list. Actuator just stopped working. I have to use key out of FOB to manually open. This is a safety issue if I’m trying to get in my car quickly for safety reasons and it does not open.

Other Toyota Prius years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Toyota Prius have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius: 18V-579 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Toyota Prius?

Owners report unknown or other problems most often (6 reports), followed by visibility/wiper (5). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 10,000 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.