One of the better Prius years
Owners filed about 76% fewer complaints than a typical Prius year. The area owners reported most is the brakes and stability control, which half of owners reported by about 6,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Prius years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota Prius. The most reported problem area is the brakes and stability control (12, 40% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That ranks 8th of 13 Prius years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2019 Toyota Prius before you buy.
Brakes and stability control
12 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, pulsation in the brake pedal could be felt without warning. Upon taking the vehicle to a dealer, he requested to have the rotors checked for any defects. He was given a service report that stated that the rotors needed to be replaced. Upon…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 11,000 miles
I was traveling at about 55 MPH on highway 66 when the instrument panel began flashing the following warnings: "braking power low, phsb malfunction, parking brake low, pre-collision malfunction, anti-lock malfunction, lane deparrure malfunction, brake overide" . The only obvious symptom was that there was no brake boost - the brakes…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 5,500 miles
Engine and cooling
7 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Coolant is leaking into the catalytic converter. This seems to be a common issue. Toyota issued a technical service bulletin on XXX covering this exactly. Some 2016, 2019 Prius and 2017, 2019 Prius Prime vehicles may exhibit low coolant level, MIL on with DTC P148F00, and/or poor heater performance due to coolant leakage at the front…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Prius. The contact stated there was a coolant leak and the coolant level was low. There was no indication of coolant on the ground. The check engine and engine HOT warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: 0135-19. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 95,000 miles
Electrical system
4 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was idling at a parking space and went to turn off my car. The vehicle surged forward and the BRAKE sign came on. I pushed my brake to the floor and nothing happened. I was moving toward a brick wall so I put in in reverse and the car surged backwards. The BRAKE sign came on and I pushed the brake to the floor and again nothing…Owner complaint, filed 2024
On Saturday [XXX], while shifting to reverse in a back alley to back up slowly, the car engine suddenly and loudly revved and shot backwards at accelerating speed. I slammed on brakes which did not respond at all, thus forcing me to attempt to shift gears which also failed to stop the acceleration. Car only stopped because it went up a…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Driver assist systems
4 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Since October 2023, my 2019 Toyota Prius has developed severe and unpredictable driving behavior after a regular brake service, which may have triggered or coincided with a software or ECU update. The car, which had been driving smoothly since I bought it in 2021, suddenly began showing false braking, steering interference, and lane…Owner complaint, filed 2025
I was idling at a parking space and went to turn off my car. The vehicle surged forward and the BRAKE sign came on. I pushed my brake to the floor and nothing happened. I was moving toward a brick wall so I put in in reverse and the car surged backwards. The BRAKE sign came on and I pushed the brake to the floor and again nothing…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Cruise control and acceleration
4 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
* I was pulling into a parking space at a slow speed. When I applied the brake the car accelerated causing the car to scrape the car next to the space. The car then stopped. * The acceleration was out of my control and the brakes did not stop it. Fortunately there was no person in front of me. * The Tow truck operator who came to get the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while at a complete stop, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle and the vehicle began to accelerate unintendedly. The air bags failed to deploy. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated that he was able to prevent a crash by avoiding…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 78,000 miles
Air bags
4 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle was involved in a accident and it was a total loss and no airbags deployed There wasBodily injury due to this accidentOwner complaint, filed 2023
Our prius was involved in front to passenger side collision, which totaled the prius, yet no airbags deployed during the accident. The prius should have been equipped with side airbag and passenger airbag, which both failed even though those areas were impacted.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 975 miles
Wheels and tires
3 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
This complete set of Dunlop Enasave 01 A/S 195 / 65 R 15 91S tires has failed in a short span of time. At the beginning of October, we noticed a slight warbling while driving at any speed. An inspection by Les Schwab tires revealed exposed steel belting on the inside of one of the tires, although a quick check found all four tires were…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The vehicle has started to exhibit a wobbling feeling when driving, similar to when there is a bubble or blister in the tire. At only 4 years old, and with only 44K miles, we knew this shouldn't be the problem. An inspection by Les Schwab Tires, as well as the Toyota dealership where we purchased the vehicle new confirmed that all four…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Exhaust heat-exchanger coolant pipe (part of the hybrid cooling loop) on my 2019 Toyota Prius is the system that failed. Safety risk: complete loss of coolant can cause sudden engine overheating and possible power reduction or shutdown while the vehicle is moving. I transport two young children daily; an unexpected stall on a highway or…Owner complaint, filed 2025
I bought a brand new 2019 prius from the dealership that I work at. Only a month later, the pre collision system started become unavailable and the engine started making a loud cranking noise. I took it to toyota and they told me that the pcs milimetre wave sensor was missing from the car. They also did not want to fix the engine problem…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 4,500 miles
Fuel system
1 complaintHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Exhaust heat-exchanger coolant pipe (part of the hybrid cooling loop) on my 2019 Toyota Prius is the system that failed. Safety risk: complete loss of coolant can cause sudden engine overheating and possible power reduction or shutdown while the vehicle is moving. I transport two young children daily; an unexpected stall on a highway or…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Seats and seat belts
1 complaintBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The issue is with the back middle seat belt. When the back right passenger seat, which is a 2/3 seat is placed down in order to accommodate long pieces of lumber, it remains stuck there as the seatbelt for the middle seat will not release. The seatbelt mechanism for the middle seat is located in the 2/3 seat which is stuck in the down…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Lights, wipers and visibility
1 complaintHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
This happened about 3 weeks ago. I drove to work on local roads with no incidents of debris hitting windshield - no visible cracks. After my shift I spotted about a three foot crack in the middle of windshield leading down to passenger side. No warnings or symptoms of a problem. Although car is 2019, I have less than 16000 miles on it &…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Toyota Prius complaints by year
Compare the 2019 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2019 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Prius | One of the better years | 3 |
| 2019 Toyota Corolla | About average | 5 |
| 2019 Honda Civic | About average | 4 |
| 2019 Mazda Mazda3 | One of the better years | 6 |
2019 Toyota Prius recalls
Electrical system Instrument cluster / panel
- Risk
- A blank main display will not show important information like vehicle speed or fuel level.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flash memory chip (ROM) production date, and if necessary, replace it along with the combination meter circuit board, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Prius vehicles. An electrical short circuit in the combination meter could occur, causing the speedometer, the odometer, and the fuel gauge to go blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Stability control
- Risk
- Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
2019 Toyota Prius questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Toyota Prius?
The most reported problem areas on the 2019 Toyota Prius are the brakes and stability control (12 complaints), the engine and cooling (7 complaints) and the electrical system (4 complaints).
Is the 2019 Toyota Prius a good year to buy?
One of the better Prius years. Owners filed about 76% fewer complaints than a typical Prius year. The area owners reported most is the brakes and stability control, which half of owners reported by about 6,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Prius years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Toyota Prius. The most recent, from Dec 2019, covers the instrument cluster / panel. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2019 Toyota Prius problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 6,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Toyota Prius years should I avoid?
The Prius years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012 and 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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