2007 Toyota Prius problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (942) · Vehicle Speed Control (115) · Service Brakes (110)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Prius model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
1,719 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter 2012-11-14 · campaign 12V536000 · 350,662 vehicles
Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Risk: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector 2012-11-14 · campaign 12V537000 · 669,705 vehicles
Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment:other:labels 2010-02-03 · campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles
Defect: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Service bulletins (219)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 219 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-23 · Steering“in october 2026, my 2007 toyota prius experienced a serious mechanical steering failure at approximately 187,310 miles. the steering wheel could rotate without properly controlling the front wheels, resulting in a loss of steering control and creating a significant safety hazard. on october 6, 2026, an independent repair facility inspected the veh…”
2026-01-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“2007 toyota prius touring edition will not take any fuel properly and will overfill and "burp" causing gas to flow explosively out of the filler neck and hole. tank will not fill, at all, causing risk of running out of gas while on highway. fuel gauge does not work at all. fuel tank will not fill properly, if at all, overfills and burps causing fue…”
2025-06-05 · Service Brakes“the brake actuator failed. when the car was diagnosed by the toyota dealership, they identified the problem as an internal leak within the brake actuator. luckily, nobody has been hurt attempting to drive the car, but it is still being driven to get it from home to the repair shop so anything is possible. the first symptom i could link to this was …”
2025-03-26 · Service Brakes“check engine light came on with codes c 1256 & c 1300. primary issue is brake actuator failure. toyota is ignoring this known and repeated issue and it may lead to a dangerous/ deadly situation if brakes go out while driving. …”
2024-11-05 · Service Brakes“failing brake actuator assembly. this is known issue by toyota and they issued a brief warranty repair program, but have since stopped and refuse to fix the issue or provide assistance.…”
2024-09-28 · Tires:tread/Belt“after an interstate highway drive and when then discovering my tire had been punctured by a screw or other object, but with still enough air in the tire to drive to a tire repair facility, i drove to have the puncture repaired. on repairing the puncture of the 185/65r15 tire, the repairman observed a portion of the tire’s steel belt to be visible o…”
2024-09-20 · Seat Belts“the drivers seat belt receptacle spit out a spring and plastic part and it cannot buckle anymore.…”
2024-08-26 · Service Brakes“2007 toyota prius brake actuator needs replaced. abs, parking brake, vsc light came on 2 weeks ago when driving down a highway.…”
2024-08-20 · Service Brakes“there is a known, (by toyota), issue with the abs brake actuator in many prius generations including the 2nd generation prius that i own. my mechanic said it would cost @$3000 to fix. this as i said is and has been a known issue with these cars that affects the abs braking and puts myself, my family and any one on the road near me in danger. toy…”
2024-07-10 · Unknown Or Other“hatch release has melted, see nhtsa id’s for example: 10511408, 10533059, 10504366, 10496197, 10448470, etc. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.