Model year guide

2021 Toyota prius prime

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Toyota prius prime is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 14 on record.

2021 Toyota prius prime — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2021 Toyota prius prime at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints10
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined54 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Toyota prius prime recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2021 Toyota prius prime.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Toyota prius prime common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Back Over Prevention
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2021 Toyota prius prime safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 10.7% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2021 Toyota PRIUS PRIME 5 HB FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2021 Toyota prius prime MPG & running costs

Combined54 mpg
City55 mpg
Highway53 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,250
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
Electric range640 mi
Charge time (240V)2 hours
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume20 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,500 less

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Toyota prius prime costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$6,250
Fuel only$6,250
Per mile$0.08

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
178.7 in
Width
69.3 in
Height
57.9 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,364 lb
Front track
60.2 in
Rear track
60.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2021 Toyota prius prime. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Pedestrian alert sounds Closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that…

NHTSA #DP22005 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 122

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 122.

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.

Bulletin T-SB-0106-22 Rev2 · Electrical System · Jan 2026

Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.

Bulletin T-SB-0001-26 · Electrical System · Jan 2026

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 p…

Bulletin T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Jan 2026

Some ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs. This can lead to accidental use of the wrong repair manual when diagnosing these type of DTCs.

Bulletin T-TT-0784-25 Rev1 · Engine · Jun 2025

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

Bulletin T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Electrical System · Jun 2025

Some ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs. This can lead to accidental use of the wrong repair manual when diagnosing these type of DTCs.

Bulletin T-TT-0784-25 · Engine · Jun 2025

To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the system and are only to be used when requested b…

Bulletin T-TT-0780-25 · Electrical System · Apr 2025

To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the system and are only to be used when requested b…

Bulletin T-TT-0780-25 · Electrical System · Apr 2025

Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software. The SST is used with applicable vehicles t…

Bulletin T-SB-0106-22 Rev2 · Electrical System · Feb 2025

Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software. The SST is used with applicable vehicles t…

Bulletin T-SB-0106-22 Rev2 · Electrical System · Feb 2025

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PRIUS PRIME FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

2021 Toyota prius prime trims & engines on record

Engines
1.8L 4-cyl 96 hp

2021 Toyota prius prime vehicles on record

Other Toyota prius prime model years

2021 Toyota prius prime — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Toyota prius prime have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2021 Toyota prius prime. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota prius prime?

Across all 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, service brakes, fuel/propulsion system.

What is the 2021 Toyota prius prime safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2021 Toyota prius prime an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota prius prime get?

The 2021 Toyota prius prime has a U.S. EPA estimate of 54 mpg combined (55 city / 53 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.