Owners have reported 11 crashes and 6 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota Prius. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints5
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Prius report issues with windshield and mirror visibility. Several complaints describe the development of frost on the inside of the windshield, requiring 20 minutes or more to defrost, which occurs in various locations and under different weather conditions. Another owner notes a spiderweb crack appearing on the windshield, potentially related to temperature changes. A distinct issue involves the right side mirror glass detaching while driving, posing a safety risk to other motorists. One complaint involves a crash due to a dashboard cover obstructing a sensor, leading to a darkened display screen, although no injuries were reported. These issues typically occur in vehicles with mileage ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 miles.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
TIRES
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Prius report issues related to tire sidewall failures, with multiple complaints describing blowouts occurring while driving at various speeds. Symptoms frequently mentioned include sidewall ballooning and blowouts, often with no apparent cause or road impact. These issues are reported at mileage as low as 3,400 miles and up to 24,000 miles. The complaints highlight safety implications, as tire blowouts could potentially lead to loss of control, though no crashes are reported. Buyers should be aware of these tire issues, especially concerning the original equipment Toyo NanoEnergy A41 tires and Goodyear Assurance MaxLife tires.
Owner complaints4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Prius report issues primarily related to unintended acceleration and display malfunctions. Two complaints describe incidents where the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated, with one resulting in a crash and an injury. These incidents occurred at low speeds, and one owner notes the problem followed routine maintenance. Additionally, owners report problems with the vehicle's display systems, including the multi-information display failing and the media-control unit intermittently going blank, affecting the use of climate controls. These electrical issues are noted to occur over extended periods, with one owner experiencing display malfunctions over the past year. Safety implications include loss of vehicle control due to sudden acceleration, making these reports critical for potential buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints4
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Prius report issues related to the power train, including unexpected shifts from drive to neutral while on the freeway, which poses a potential safety risk. One owner describes an incident where the vehicle independently accelerated while parking, resulting in a crash with two other vehicles, although no injuries were reported. Another complaint involves transmission repair and multiple related components such as axel rods and rims needing attention. Mileage reported at the time of these complaints varies, with one instance occurring at approximately 6,000 miles. These issues suggest potential safety implications, particularly concerning unexpected vehicle behavior and control loss.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report incidents of unintended acceleration in the 2020 Toyota Prius, particularly when parking or moving slowly. Symptoms commonly described include the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating forward despite attempts to brake, with one owner experiencing a crash resulting in injury. These incidents tend to occur during warm weather conditions, with reports indicating that the vehicle's collision avoidance system may engage to prevent further damage. The timeline for these issues varies, with one owner noting occurrences about a year apart. Safety implications are significant, as one report involves a collision with a concrete pole, highlighting potential risks for loss of control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints3
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Prius report issues with the service brakes, including failure to stop and unintended acceleration when the brake pedal is applied. Complaints frequently mention incidents where the brakes do not respond as expected, leading to crashes and, in one case, two injuries. One owner describes a crash occurring at only 700 miles, while another reports problems at approximately 67,000 miles. Symptoms described include a vibrating brake pedal and a sensation similar to skidding on ice. These issues have significant safety implications, such as crashes and loss of control, which are critical for potential buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Prius report incidents involving unexpected acceleration, particularly at low speeds around 5 mph, often while making turns or parking. Complaints frequently mention that the vehicle accelerates suddenly without warning, leading to crashes such as jumping curbs, sideswiping other vehicles, or hitting walls. In these cases, the brake pedal is reportedly unresponsive, and no warning lights are illuminated. The mileage at which these incidents occur varies, with reports at approximately 15,670 and 54,300 miles. These incidents sometimes result in crashes, highlighting a potential safety concern for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Prius report issues with airbag deployment during crashes. In one incident, the airbags failed to deploy when the vehicle was struck at high speed after another driver ran a red light, resulting in two injuries. Another owner describes unintended acceleration while parking, leading to a collision with a building; again, the airbags did not deploy despite significant front-end damage. Both complaints involve crashes, with one occurring at approximately 14,000 miles. These reports suggest potential safety implications related to airbag performance in crash situations.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
