2025 Toyota Prius Complaints

POWER TRAIN — Filed 12/23/2025

I am submitting this complaint to report an unexpected transmission shift event that occurred while operating my 2025 Toyota Prius at highway speed which created an immediate and obvious safety risk. The event occurred on XXX. While driving my Prius at approximately 75mph on Interstate [XXX], I reached toward the center console area to retrieve my sunglasses. I did not intentionally move the shifter, but the transmission suddenly shifted from Drive to Neutral. After moving from Drive to Neutral, the accelerator no longer provided propulsion. At the time, my vehicle was traveling downhill and was being followed by an eighteen-wheel tractor trailer. The truck driver behind me had no way of knowing that my vehicle had unexpectedly lost the ability to accelerate. To avoid being struck from behind, I steered left into a paved median area, applied the brakes, and was able to shift back to Drive and merge into the traffic flow. Had a paved escape area not been available, it seems inevitable that our chances of being in a fatal collision with the vehicle behind us would be quite high. My concern is that a normal driver movement (reaching for an item near the center console while driving) may inadvertently have caused the transmission to enter Neutral at highway speed resulting in the possibility of serious harm or fatality. I believe this presents an unacceptable safety hazard and warrants investigation. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

TIRES — Filed 04/15/2026

These tires were purchased brand new and installed at Pep Boys on March 24th. By the 15th of this month—less than a month later—one of the tires had developed a bulge on its sidewall.bubbling on the tire sidewall . However, neither the manufacturer (Toyo) nor the retailer (Pep Boys) has been willing to take responsibility for the issue, refusing to process a return, issue a refund, or address the quality defect. I have clear photographic evidence demonstrating that this is undeniably a product quality issue!

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES — Filed 02/10/2026

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s side front door became inoperable while using the controls. The door could be opened from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V049000 (Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The failure mileage was 21,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES — Filed 02/25/2026

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driver’s side door unexpectedly opened while a minor was seated inside the vehicle. The message that the rear door was unlocked was displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V049000 (Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 3,900.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 02/01/2026

Vehicle has an active safety recall where the rear hatch may open while driving. Manufacturer states there is no remedy until August 2026, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am still making loan and insurance payments on a vehicle that cannot safely be used due to the recall.”

WHEELS — Filed 11/09/2025

Automanufactures are Phasing Out Spare Tires Toyota and other automakers no longer include spare tires in new vehicles. I recently experienced the serious consequences of their decision . While driving to work in my new 2025 Toyota Prius, I got a flat tire. I manage to get to work and parked in a parking garage. My husband came to help and went to install the spare. He opened the trunk and found Styrofoam under the liner with a tire inflation kit... no spare tire! We had a horrible experience for the next three days!!! So... Consumer Beware: • Tire kit is not a solution; it does not work for all leaks. • Tow trucks can not access cars in parking garages due to low height. • Driving out could damage tire rims. • Health risks from exposure to the tire inflation chemicals: headaches within an hour, lasting into the next day, skin irritation, and respiratory inflammation/congestion. Time, Labor, and Cost; (It's all on the consumer) After days and many hours of calling Toyota, the dealer, and tire shops, we had to: • drive back to remove the flat tire • order a new tire • deliver to the flat tire to the shop • pick up the new tire the next day • drive back to replace the flat ourselves. Solutions / Warnings: • Spare tire: Toyota does not make one, leaving consumers without options. • Consumers must rely on unreliable tire kits, roadside assistance towing to a dealership (which could not help because tow trucks can not fit in parking garage) or do it all yourself. • No adequate health warnings on the tire kit—contains natural rubber (latex), propylene, and ammonia. Toyota reps offered no empathy or real solutions, only demeaning statements that consumer should know that Toyota (and other automakers) no longer includes spare tires only ineffective tire kits, leaving Toyota and others removing spare tires to save money and appear to improve gas mileage creates serious risk for consumers.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 10/28/2025

Infotainment screen stuck on "Experience Drive Connect" screen which disables all the safety devices on the vehiucle. OEM needs to update the software to remove this screen. Screen is tied to Toyota subscription service. I believe all new Toyota products would have this vulnerability.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 11/01/2025

Design of rear window, side mirrors and large rear pillar greatly reduce the visibility and checking of blind spot if you are a taller person. Blind spot electronic detection can not be trusted as it's performance is intermittent. Solution would be for Toyota of retrofit electronic mirror feature like installed in the Limited version of this car. This feature has live rear view camera enabled on the rearview mirror at all times. Prius without this feature is very dangerous to drive.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 09/16/2025

2025 Toyota Prius XLE. The upgraded 12 inch infotainment flickers light then dark then back to light several times. Automatic braking is being turned off without knowledge. The Toyota cruise control and adaptive cruise control will say unavailable or see owners manual. Different safety features will turn off on their own. The 12 inch infotainment center will switch from Apple car play to regular radio (Sirius Xm) on its own.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 09/03/2025

Randomly, the car have a delay of approximately 2 seconds when I hit the gas pedal. It happened multiple times, 2-3 times per day. The gas pedal can pe pressed to the floor, it won’t react. After 2 seconds or so it will react and drive normally. I noticed this is happening when the car is in EV mode ( I’m either stopped at red light, or I’m slowing down a bit/taking a turn. This is a hazardous situation and very dangerous.