Here Are The Toyota Prius Prime Years To Avoid
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The Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offers a comfortable bridge for those not quite ready to jump to all-electric driving. The PHEV version of the Prius provides up to 25 miles of battery-only operation, a range ideal for local errands and shorter commutes. But not every model is a worthwhile buy. There are definitely Toyota Prius Prime years to avoid.
Keep reading as we get into the details. We’re also including which years to skip of the Prius Plug-In, the predecessor to the Prius Prime that Toyota sold from 2012 to 2015. We’ll rely on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and carcomplaints.com for these insights. But before diving into which Toyota Prius Prime years to avoid, let’s explain what makes a PHEV unique. We’ll also explore the history of the Toyota Prius Prime.
What’s A Plug-In Hybrid?
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid car that can recharge its battery from an external electric power source. This allows a PHEV to drive on electricity stored in the battery before switching to the gasoline hybrid engine. Highlights include:
- PHEVs have both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. This setup allows the car to run on just electricity for a short time and then switch to traditional hybrid running after the battery is exhausted.
- PHEVs have a large battery pack that’s recharged by plugging the car into an electric outlet or an EV charging station. All-electric range varies by vehicle but typically features 10-50 miles of gasless driving.
- A PHEV will operate like a regular hybrid when the battery is depleted. The gas engine and electric motor work together to maximize efficiency and performance.
- A PHEV can be charged at home (like overnight) or at a public charging station.
- PHEVs reduce gasoline use and emissions compared to regular hybrids or conventional gas-powered cars. In theory, PHEV owners with modest driving needs may never need to use gasoline. However, longer-distance travel can be supported by the gasoline engine as required.
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History of the Toyota Prius Prime
Toyota introduced the Prius Prime, the PHEV version of the popular Prius hybrid in 2016 (as a 2017 model). The Prius Prime succeeded the Prius Plug-In Hybrid, which Toyota sold from 2012-2015.
The first-generation Prius Plug-in was Toyota’s first foray into plug-in hybrids. It had an EPA-rated electric range of just 11 miles from its modest 4.4 kWh battery pack. The Prius Prime increased the battery size to 8.8 kWh, more than doubling the electric range to 25 miles. This upgrade made the Prius Prime more practical for commuting and local driving without the need for gasoline.
Toyota debuted the 2017 Prius Prime with two trim levels. The more affordable Prime Plus offered transportation essentials combined with PHEV equipment. Those wanting more technology and safety gear could choose the Prime Advanced. Both versions came with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and battery pack capable of providing a combined system output of 121 horsepower. This modest amount of horsepower reinforced that Toyota built this car more for efficiency than performance.
The 2020 model year saw the introduction of additional safety features and improvements in all-electric driving. This updated Prius Prime could handle increased highway speeds, making the car more versatile and capable. Impressive fuel economy ratings of up to 133 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) gave the Prius Prime bragging rights as one of the most efficient cars in Toyota’s lineup. The automaker also offers a Prime version of its popular RAV4 compact crossover.
Toyota Prius Prime Years to Avoid
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Although not wearing a “Prime” nameplate, we’re including the 2012 model year in our review because it starts the Prius PHEV adventure. But this isn’t the version to buy because debut editions of an all-new vehicle can be vulnerable to gremlins that get resolved in future years. While the third-generation Prius launched for the 2010 model year, the plug-in version first appeared for 2012. And the Prius Plug-In had enough new technology to give it this first-year status.
But don’t take our word about avoiding the 2012 Prius Plug-In. This model year has the dubious distinction of having more complaints on file with NHTSA than any other Prius Plug-In or Prius Prime edition. Many of the reports covered the electric system, which is never a good sign for any vehicle that depends on electric propulsion.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME
Buying a used edition comes down to knowing about dependability, which is why we’ve compiled this list of the most reliable Toyota Prius Prime years (we’ve also included which years to stay away from).
2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Often, the second year proves that the kinks of a first-year model worked out. However, this isn’t the case with the 2013 Prius Plug-In. While reports sent to NHTSA are down, there are still hundreds. And we continue to see many of the complaints involving the electrical system. Carcomplaints.com also reports the greatest number of owner reports for the 2013 model year, albeit at a much lower level.
Many early Prius Plug-In years (2012-2014) were subject to several recalls centered on the hybrid electrical system. And while a recall in itself doesn’t automatically translate into poor reliability, these occurrences, accompanied by many owner complaints, usually do. Given the price difference between a 2013 Prius Plug-In and the 2014 edition is modest, we suggest not taking the risk. Spending the extra money will result in greater peace of mind.
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
2017 Toyota Prius Prime
The 2017 model year marks the debut of a Prius PHEV wearing the “Prime” label. This introduction also marks a new generation, which means a greater likelihood of engineering and manufacturing problems. As a result, the 2017 edition is one of the Toyota Prius Prime years to avoid.
Complaints about the 2017 Prius Prime aren’t at the level of the 2012 and 2013 editions but are still in triple digits. In comparison, owner reports for each subsequent year (2018-2022) average no more than a dozen. That’s a clear indicator that the 2017 Prius Prime isn’t as dependable as it could be. Shopping for a 2018 or newer version is the way to go here.
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