2019 Toyota PRIUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
5,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 30 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 26.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Service Brakes: 9; Unknown Or Other: 8; Engine: 6; Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 7; 2024: 4; 2025: 5; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11354420 · 2020-09-11 (September 11, 2020)
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 CONTINUED TO FUNCTION, BUT WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. I AM A FORMER AUTO MECHANIC, SO I WOULD HAVE NOTICED IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER SYMPTONS. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS AND ULTIMATELY REPLACED BOTH THE BRAK…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11354420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11390410 · 2021-01-27 (January 27, 2021)
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. DRIVER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. ANTI COLLISION BREAK SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, VEHICLE SLID FOR 20FT INTO A STOPPED FOR. 2019 PRIUS WAS GOING 35 MPH BEFORE RISK OF COLLISION WAS REALIZED. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DONE ON PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,443 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11327502 · 2020-06-06 (June 6, 2020)
PRIUS STALLS IN THE RAIN DESPITE NOT BEING A RECALLED MODEL. PCS SENSOR IS AFTERMARKET, PEDESTRIAN WARNING ALERT NOISE IS OFFLINE, SUSPENSION IS CRACKED, ENGINE MAKES CREAKING NOISE AT LOW SPEED TURNING. I WORKED FOR TOYOTA AS A SALESPERSON AND THEY REALLY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 52 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11663559 · 2025-05-28 (May 28, 2025)
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 during an intersection turn would put all occupants and surrounding traffic at risk. AutoNation Toyota Mall of Georgia (dealer) inspected the car on 22-May-2025, confirmed the leak, and advised the vehicle is un…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11663559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11572747 · 2024-02-19 (February 19, 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 curb and hit the corner of a parked vehicle in a neighbors driveway. If I had been on busier street and not a back alley this could have resulted in numerous vehicle collisions and unimagined fatalities. Car…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11572747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11709126 · 2026-01-06 (January 6, 2026)
Body of car has rust perforation starting from the inside working out. This is on the roof, so water incursion will effect airbags and electrical system. FIrst noticed rust bubbles a few years ago, but did not think much of it. Now two body shops have said roof panel needs to be replaced. This is big stuff!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11709126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11692652 · 2025-10-11 (October 11, 2025)
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 instability , as if the car were trying to “correct” problems that didn’t exist. These interventions often happen on highways or during turns, creating serious safety risks for both driver and passengers. I’ve spen…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11692652 at NHTSA ↗