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Which Years Of Used Toyota Prius Cars Are Most Reliable?


in Reliability

We've rounded up 12 of the most reliable Toyota Prius years. See which ones (and which Prius years are considered least reliable) so you can choose a dependable used car.

Orange Prius
Source: Pixabay

The Toyota Prius is a quality hatchback hybrid that has existed since 2001. It was the car that kicked off hybrid popularity and is still a popular choice today. If you’re interested in purchasing a Toyota Prius, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Toyota Prius year?

If you want to purchase a used Toyota Prius, get the best value for your expense. You need the most reliable Toyota Prius year. Let’s examine the most reliable years, the general reliability of the model across all years, the least reliable years, and other information necessary to find the highest quality Toyota Prius.

Most Reliable Years For The Prius

The Prius has been around for two decades, providing hybrid drives for millions of drivers. Thanks to its lifespan, there are many used Prius options on the market, making it tricky to land on the right one. We’ve picked out the most reliable Prius years to make it easier on your end.

Here are the most reliable years for the Prius:

  • 2000 Toyota Prius
  • 2001 Toyota Prius
  • 2002 Toyota Prius
  • 2003 Toyota Prius
  • 2004 Toyota Prius
  • 2013 Toyota Prius
  • 2014 Toyota Prius
  • 2015 Toyota Prius
  • 2017 Toyota Prius
  • 2018 Toyota Prius
  • 2019 Toyota Prius
  • 2020 Toyota Prius

These are the best of the best, the most reliable Toyota Prius year options for used vehicles.

There is a time jump in reliability. The first five years of the Prius are reliable, and then we don’t see another contender until 2013. If you want the best, stick with the earliest versions or past 2012. Stay away from the 2016 model, the sore thumb in the middle of a quality string of years.

Although we’ve listed many reliable Toyota Prius options, these do not dictate the overall reliability of the Prius model. Let’s discuss whether Toyota Priuses are worth pouring your money into for your next vehicle.


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Are Toyota Priuses Generally Reliable?

The Toyota Prius is well-known for being above average in reliability. According to withclutch.com, the Toyota Prius scores 87.05 in reliability, making it one of the best from the brand. It’s higher than Toyota vehicles like the Corolla, Sequoia, and Avalon.

Let’s examine another source to make sure. According to repairpal.com, the Toyota Prius has a reliability score of ⅘, putting it at 10th out of 24 for midsize cars. This score and ranking put the Prius above average.

The annual repair cost of a Toyota Prius is $408. This average is one of the best, giving it excellent ownership costs. Most issues are minor, allowing fewer major trips. There is an 11% chance the necessary repair will be severe.

You can expect to take your Toyota Prius in for unexpected repairs about .5 times a year, which is slightly above average. However, this fix will likely be minor. It has excellent performance ability.


THE TOYOTA PRIUS YEARS TO AVOID

With so many years of history, it only makes sense that specific year models are built better than others. Here are the Toyota Prius years to avoid.


Which Prius Years Are The Least Reliable?

When buying a used car, it’s best to get the most out of your model. There are many quality Prius years, but you should stay away from others at all costs to avoid maintenance and repairs.

Here are the least reliable years for the Toyota Prius:

  • 2005 Toyota Prius
  • 2006 Toyota Prius
  • 2007 Toyota Prius
  • 2008 Toyota Prius
  • 2009 Toyota Prius
  • 2010 Toyota Prius
  • 2011 Toyota Prius
  • 2012 Toyota Prius
  • 2016 Toyota Prius

If you’re hunting for the most reliable Toyota Prius year, stay away from these if possible.

The Priuses in the middle of the pack are the least reliable. Keep away from anything between 2005-2012 and avoid the infamous 2016 Toyota Prius in recent years. Although there aren’t a ton of complaints like the other models, it saw more issues at lower mileage.

No matter the year you get, there will be some issues. It’s helpful to be aware of the most commonly reported troubles so they don’t take you by surprise.


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What Are The Most Common Issues With A Toyota Prius?

Most of the time, a Toyota Prius is a reliable choice that will last you many years on the market. However, some common issues tend to appear in the Prius that many customers have reported over the years.

According to motorbiscuit.com, here are the most common issues with a Toyota Prius:

  • Center multi-function failure display
  • Incorrect reading on the fuel gauge
  • Illuminated check engine light thanks to three-way coolant control valve failure

These will require a trip to the auto shop and potentially a chunk of time from your day.

Drivers across the board reported these issues in their Toyota Prius. No matter what years, these are the most common. However, they appeared more often in the least reliable years.

We’ve touched on many aspects of reliability. Now - is the Toyota Prius worth it?

Is The Toyota Prius Worth It?

If you’re into hybrid vehicles, the Toyota Prius is worth it. Used models can keep going before extensive repairs are necessary, and you will save money on gas.

Prius is the vehicle that started it all with hybrid cars, and there are plenty of quality years to choose from today. Toyota is one of the most reliable brand options, and the Prius is a jewel on their crown.


THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET

Buying a used or CPO luxury car is one of the smartest buys you can make - you can get a lot of car for not much money. You can pick up a three-year-old luxury car for about half of what you’d pay new. Check out this list of the best used luxury cars on the market to find the best deals. 


Final Thoughts

The Toyota Prius is a top-notch vehicle. It’s been around for two decades, and about half the years are reliable selections if you want to buy used. The repair costs are low, and it ranks high in reliability compared to other Toyota models. Priuses are as good as they come.

We hope this information was helpful! It’s difficult to pick the best used year when investing in a Prius, but the years we listed are some of the best. Reliability is everything in a used vehicle, as it will determine how much you spend throughout the year. The Toyota Prius is a reliable selection.

FAQs: BMW X3 Years to Avoid

Q: Which BMW X3 years should I avoid?

A: Based on reported issues and reliability concerns, you should avoid the BMW X3 models from the years 2007, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2019. Avoiding these model years may help you avoid expensive repairs in the future.

Q: Why is the 2013 BMW X3 considered the worst year?

A: The 2013 BMW X3 has been reported to have many complaints, especially regarding the timing chain guide. The plastic timing chain guides are susceptible to breaking, disturbing the engine timing, and resulting in engine stalls or sudden stops while driving.

Q: What are common problems across BMW X3 models?

A: Common issues include broken timing chain guides, sunroof leaks, rattles, oil leaks, overheating engines due to coolant system problems, faulty window regulators, steering problems, problematic EGR systems in diesel engines, and more.

Q: Is the BMW X3 a reliable vehicle?

A: The reliability of the BMW X3 varies across model years; some are highly reliable, while others face numerous issues. Researching and carefully considering specific years when buying a used X3 is a must.



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