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Model reliability

Toyota Prius Plus reliability

The Toyota Prius Plus fails its MOT less often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 18.4% of 2,117 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.

Up to 5 years old
14% failed their MOT
About average
From 1,008 MOT tests of Toyota Prius Pluss this age.
Where it does worse than other cars this age
Fails 17× as oftenRegistration plate lamp(s)5% vs 0.3%Fix about £30
Fails 8× as oftenFront and rear fog lamps1.5% vs 0.2%Fix about £30
Fails 5× as oftenPosition lamps1.5% vs 0.3%Fix about £30
Fails 6× as oftenAnti-roll bars1.1% vs 0.2%
6 to 10 years old
18.4% failed their MOT
Better than most
From 2,117 MOT tests of Toyota Prius Pluss this age.
Where it does worse than other cars this age
Fails 5× as oftenRegistration plate lamp(s)4.5% vs 1%Fix about £30
Fails 3× as oftenAnti-roll bars2.7% vs 1%
Fails 73% more oftenPosition lamps2.6% vs 1.5%Fix about £30
Fails 5× as oftenFront and rear fog lamps1.8% vs 0.4%Fix about £30
Safety recalls

26 DVSA recalls for the Toyota Prius Plus

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2026/02716 Mar 2026Built 2023–2025Relay and Wire Harness installation on certain Prius

For affected vehicles that are equipped with an electric rear door lock system which includes a door opener switch and a rear door lock release actuator If the seal performance for this switch is reduced this can temporarily allow water to enter the switch which can cause the switch to activate and the door could open unexpectedly.

Fix: Installation of relay and wire harness.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 2,235 vehicles

R/2021/33218 Oct 2021Built 2021Incorrect programming in relation to transmission shift position status might cause hybrid system to shut down

Due to incorrect programming the hybrid vehicle ECU can incorrectly determine that the validation signal is erroneous for the shifter position

Fix: Reprogram the Hybrid ECU.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 96 vehicles

R/2021/2609 Aug 2021Built 2020–2021The pre-crash brake assist function can be delayed

The pre-crash brake assist function can be delayed.

Fix: Reprogram the Brake booster assembly with master cylinder ECU.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 540 vehicles

R/2020/19027 Jul 2020Built 2014–2015Under certain circumstances the hybrid unit may shut down and cause loss of motive power

Under certain circumstances the hybrid unit may shut down and cause loss of motive power.

Fix: Reprogram the Power Management ECU.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 55,724 vehicles

R/2020/0259 Mar 2020Built 2015–2018Improper assembly of the electrical contacts in the driver's seat belt reminder switch

An improper assembly of the electrical contacts in the reminder switch for the driver seat belt

Fix: Replace driver side seat inner belt.

Recalled models: PRIUS PHV · 11,670 vehicles

R/2019/44027 Jan 2020Built 2019An electrical short circuit in the combination meter could occur

An electrical short circuit in the combination meter could occur.

Fix: Inspect and replace the meter circuit plate based on the inspection result

Recalled models: PRIUS · 148 vehicles

R/2019/3334 Nov 2019Built 2015–2018Incorrectly installed covers could prevent the seat-mounted side airbag from deploying

Incorrectly installed covers could prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.

Fix: Inspect the covers installed on the front seats and replace any incorrectly installed covers

Recalled models: PRIUS · 3,887 vehicles

R/2019/2484 Nov 2019Built 2019Brake booster pump may stop working

An electrical connection within the motor may cause the brake booster pump to stop operating

Fix: Inspect and replace the brake booster pump assembly if necessary.

Recalled models: PRIUS PHV · 2,146 vehicles

R/2018/29314 Jan 2019Built 2008–2014Vehicle may not enter failsafe driving mode as intended in response to certain hybrid system faults

The vehicle may not enter a failsafe driving mode as intended.

Fix: Reprogram the Power Management ECU.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 55,519 vehicles

R/2018/2401 Oct 2018Built 2015–2018Engine wire harness connected to hybrid vehicle power control unit could contact cover

Due to assembly variation a portion of the engine wire harness could contact the cover.Should the insulation wear and the core wires become exposed there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

Fix: Inspect the engine wire harness and repair or replace it if necessary.

Recalled models: PRIUS PHV · 32,393 vehicles

R/2017/2864 Dec 2017Built 2016Invertor capacitor may not be secure

The hybrid system of the subject vehicles includes an inverter assembly which contains a capacitor that may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing. In this condition the terminal of the capacitor could be damaged by vibration during normal vehicle operation.

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the invertor assembly

Recalled models: PRIUS · 3 vehicles

R/2017/3094 Dec 2017Built 2012–2015The electric vehicle (ev) fuse may malfunction

The Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse which may malfunction if the vehicle isrepeatedly operated by the electric motor under high-load driving conditions such as during a long hill climb. If the fuse malfunctions warning lights and warning messages will illuminate. In some cases the vehicle can be driven but with reduced power. In other cases the hybrid system could shut down resulting in the loss of motive power.

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the fuse.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 1,399 vehicles

R/2016/21328 Nov 2016Built 2015–2016Airbag may incorrectly deploy

The passenger air bag inflator may have been incorrectly manufactured/assembled. This may allow leakage of compressed gas and partial inflation of the airbag without a deployment command.

Fix: Replace passenger airbag unit.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 691 vehicles

R/2016/23721 Nov 2016Built 2015–2016Parking brake may fail

The subject vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system containing a parking brake cable and a crank lever which upon activation transmit the force of the parking brake pedal to the brake caliper piston. Over time during normal operation of the vehicle the cable could disengage at the pedal end causing the parking brake to become inoperative.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to fit retaining clips for the cable.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 4,617 vehicles

R/2016/15222 Sept 2016Built 2008–2015Fuel may leak / risk of fire

The vehicles are equipped with a fuel evaporative emission control unit (canister) assembled to the fuel tank. There is a possibility that a crack could develop on the resin channel for the emission gas flow due to an improper shape of the channel edge at that location. The crack could expand over time and eventually fuel may leak from the crack when the vehicle has a full tank. Fuel or fuel vapour in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a vehicle fire

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the fuel suction plate sub-assembly.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 72,891 vehicles

R/2016/15312 Sept 2016Built 2008–2012Curtain shield airbag may deploy unintentionally

On affected vehicles the curtain side air bag inflator may have a crack in a weld. If this crack propagates gas may leak and in certain conditions partially in inflate the air bag.

Fix: On affected vehicles install retention brackets on the curtain shield air bag inflators.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 34,135 vehicles

R/2015/15210 Aug 2015Built 2011–2014Loss of power

The inverter assembly may overheat which will cause warning lamps to illuminate and the vehicle to enter a fail safe mode. Fail safe allows the vehicle to be driven on reduced power to a place of safety. However it is possible for the hybrid system to shut down causing the vehicle to stop which increases the risk of a collision.

Fix: On affected vehicles reprogramme the Motor Generator and Power Management ECUs.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 24,734 vehicles

R/2014/02410 Mar 2014Built 2009–2014Loss of power may occur

In certain circumstances components within the inverter assembly may overheat which can lead to the selection of: fail safe mode where the vehicle can still drive with reduced power for a certain distance or in the worst case the drive systems shut down and the vehicle stop.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to reprogramme the Motor Generator E.C.U. and Power Management Control E.C.U.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 30,788 vehicles

R/2013/0702 Jul 2013Built 2008–2009Braking efficiency may be affected

The subject vehicles are equipped with brake pressure accumulators consisting of a metal plunger containing brake fluid encased in a metal housing. The plunger is designed with metal pleated bellows to allow for motion. Nitrogen gas is sealed between the plunger and housing. It is possible that a fatigue crack could develop in the bellows due to vertical vibration of the plunger while driving. If this occurs nitrogen gas could leak into the brake fluid and gradually cause the brake pedal stroke to become longer resulting in decreased hydraulic pressure which could result in increased stopping distance.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to first check which type of brake booster is fitted and if the at risk type is fitted; replace the brake booster assembly with an improved one.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 4,941 vehicles

R/2012/1463 Dec 2012Built 2003–2009Short circuit may occur

In the Hybrid system of the subject vehicles there is an electrically driven water pump assembly that circulates coolant through the hybrid components. It is possible the coil wire of the electric motor installed in the water pump may have been scratched during the coiling manufacturing process at the supplier. In this condition the coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion and in some cases break. If this occurs the water pump could stop working leading to illumination of various warning lights in the instrument panel. In some cases a short circuit occurs between adjacent coil wires resulting in a blown fuse for the electric power supply circuit. This will cause the hybrid system to stop while the vehicle is being driven which increases the risk of an accident.

Fix: Replace the HV Electric Water Pump

Recalled models: PRIUS · 17,501 vehicles

R/2012/1453 Dec 2012Built 2003–2009Loss of steering

It is possible that the splines of the extension shaft on vehicles equipped with Electric Motor assisted Power Steering (EMPS) may not have received the correct hardness treatment. This can cause the spline to distort and wear and eventually result in loss of steering.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles check and if necessary replace the shaft.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 61,910 vehicles

R/2011/06527 Jun 2011Built 2000–2003Steering control could be affected

The nut that secures the pinion to the electric power steering system motor shaft may become loose if excessive force is used in full lock manoeuvrers. This could in extreme cases have an affect on the steering operation.

Fix: Recall all affected vehicles for the replacement of the securing nut.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 1,257 vehicles

R/2006/13027 Nov 2006Built 2001Engine may stall

Due to improper moulding of the body of the crankshaft position sensor engine oil may penetrate the seal and enter the sensor wiring connector. In this condition the engine oil within the sensor's wiring connector may expand due to engine heat and could deform the sensor. In the worst case the connector may become disconnected which could cause the engine to stall while driving and restarting would not be possible.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the crankshaft position sensor replaced.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 7,893 vehicles

R/2006/10313 Sept 2006Built 2003–2005Steering may fail

It is possible that the connections at the intermediate shaft and sliding yoke of the steering column may become loose and if the symptoms are ignored steering control can be lost.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the steering intermediate shaft. In addition inspect the sliding yoke and intermediate shaft extension and replace if necessary. This recall is staggered starting with Prius and Corrolla. Avensis customer letters will be sent out over the next three months

Recalled models: PRIUS · 39,372 vehicles

R/2006/05726 Jul 2006Built 2003–2005Airbags may not inflate during a collision

Due to improper assembly of the airbag inflator used in the side airbag curtain shield airbag and knee airbag systems the subject airbags may not fully inflate during a collision resulting in an increased risk of injury to the vehicle's occupants.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the subject airbags replaced.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 11 vehicles

R/2004/19814 Mar 2005Possbility that the stop lamp could fail

In the stop lamp switch of subject vehicles equipped with LED stop lamps there is the possibility that silicone oxide may be generated the surface of the contact point and in consequence the resistance of the contact could increase. In this circumstance current may not flow causing the stop lamp to become inoperative.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the subject switch replaced with a quality assured unit.

Recalled models: PRIUS · 1,106 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Toyota Prius Plus before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.
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