2022 Toyota Prius Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Engine & structural issues are among the top complaints from vehicle owners

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

If there’s one car that signifies the green car movement, it has to be the 2022 Toyota Prius. The automaker claims that “Sometimes, compromising isn’t necessary.” While everyone wishes that was true, the new Prius seems to struggle with a defective engine and poorly-built structure, causing owners to switch brands entirely.

Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018   2019   2020

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2022 Toyota Prius

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Unknown Or Other
3
Service Brakes
2
Visibility/wiper
2
Interior Lighting
1
Steering
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
Vehicle Speed Control
1
Electrical System
1
Fuel/propulsion System
1
Power Train:automatic Transmission
1

Are There Problems with the 2022 Toyota Prius Engine?

The 2022 Prius has barely made it off of the production line and there are already massive engine issues.

Even Car and Driver states, “The powertrain musters a measly 121 horsepower, which amounts to lazy acceleration. And while the Prius Eco model boasts an EPA combined rating of 56 mpg, the Hyundai Ioniq Blue outperforms it, achieving 59 mpg.”

One would hope that a vehicle that hasn’t been changed in a long time would be built perfectly, but this engine still needs a lot of work. In fact, there is already a recall. NHTSA Campaign Number 21V734000 says that the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can detect an error when there isn’t one. If this happens the hybrid car can shut down, even in the middle of the road. To repair the problem, the ECU must be updated by the dealership. However, after all these years of producing the Prius, why does Toyota need more time to tweak the engine? It seems that it might be better to scrap the design and start over.

Are There Any Structural Problems with the 2022 Toyota Prius?

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to also figure out how many structure-related defects are occurring with the 2022 Prius models.

For starters, Edmunds points out that the “Offset instrument panel is out of driver’s direct line of sight.”

These aren’t the beginning of structure issues with Prius models. In the past, there were class-action lawsuits related to defective HVAC systems. It turns out that older models were exhibiting signs of noxious, toxic and foul odors in the cabin. The problem stemmed from a design that allowed excessive amounts of water to collect in the HVAC system. Within these systems, mold and other contaminants would begin to grow, putting people at risk of enduring severe health issues. For a company that claims “compromise isn’t necessary,” it seems that Toyota has done its fair share of compromising at the expense of customers. It’s time to treat the automaker just like the noxious bacteria it is and walk away for another brand.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Toyota pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

Complaint Data

CategoryService Brakes
DateFeb 27, 2023
StatePA
Description
The contact owns a 2022 toyota prius. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while shifted into reverse, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that he applied extra pressure and turned off the hybrid power system to stop the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned that the failure could cause an accident or potential injury. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
CategoryVisibility/wiper
DateFeb 02, 2023
StateAL
Description
Started vehicle in driveway to warm up for a minute. Sitting in vehicle with front defrost turned on medium fan, 75 degrees settings. After a few minutes, while still in park, I heard the windshield crack and noticed that a 12-18 inch crack appeared from the bottom middle part of the windshield.
CategoryInterior Lighting
DateJan 17, 2023
StateID
Description
The contact owns a 2022 toyota prius. The contact stated that the driver's side front power door lock button failed to illuminate during the night. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the model vehicle was not equipped with illumination for the driver's side front power door lock button. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10.
CategorySteering
DateJan 14, 2023
StateCA
Description
I don't feel safe to drive my vehicle on the highway because the steering wheel ( the front end) very weak so when I drive the car it pull me to the left and to the right I went to the dealership where I purchased the car to check the vehicle, the technician told me that the steering wheel very sensitive and they cannot do anything about. I called toyota to let them know about the issue I have then toyota told me the dealership will contact me within 24 hours and I am still waiting for more than a week. The issue is very serious and it's related to my life safety. Thanks
CategoryUnknown Or Other
DateNov 10, 2022
StateMI
Description
The catalytic converter appears to be overheating, causing the insulated sheathing in the hood to catch fire and/or melt. I discovered the defect this morning when I opened the hood to refill the windshield wiper fluid.
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control, Vehicle Speed Control
DateSep 04, 2022
StateOH
Description
When adaptive cruise control is engaged and a car cuts in front of you the car will accelerate rapidly at first nearly hitting the car before it slows.
CategoryElectrical System, Fuel/propulsion System
DateJul 27, 2022
StateFL
Description
Prior to making a turn into a residential driveway, the vehicle throttled up and there was no response from the vehicle when the brakes were applied. The vehicle would not stop in motion. Based on my experience of this event, it is my firm belief that the vehicle shut down completely as a result to correct the throttle event, and the vehicle was not responsive to application of brake to bring the car to a stop. The safety and the safety of other was put at risk because the car would not come to a stop and the vehicle did not respond. If there would have been someone in the driveway, or this would have occurred on roadway, this would have caused catastrophic property damage, injury or death. The problem was not reproduced or confirmed by a dealer through a third party due to the fact that the independent inspection addressed only the hardware components of the vehicle and dismissed any examination of the ecu software or other software components in the vehicle. Manufacturer's reasoning was due to the fact that this was low impact (pulling into driveway) that the data recorder did not catch any relevant data. However, if the airbags would have deployed, sufficient data collected. This incident occurred on 5/30 at 206 miles in the same location where, (29) days prior to this event, I had pulled in / out of this same driveway under various conditions (other vehicles in driveway, empty driveway, etc) with no issue or incident. The engine throttled up prior to approaching my turn into the driveway, and the vehicle would not respond to the brakes. It was as if the vehicle shut down completely my new vehicle has been on order since october 2021, and was finally delivered to the dealership on 4/29/2022, which was six months later post to toyota's active recall 21tb07/21ta07 issued for an identified engine control unit (ecu) software in which the vehicle may falsely detect an error, shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power.
CategoryPower Train:automatic Transmission
DateJul 11, 2022
StateOH
Description
2022 toyota prius. Consumer writes in regard to unintended acceleration. The consumer stated the vehicle accelerates for a few seconds when the turn signal is activated while the cruise control is active. The consumer stated the dealer was notified.
CategoryService Brakes
DateJul 11, 2022
StateMD
Description
On june 28, 2022 at around 20:10 pm, while on vacation at a resort in the laurentian mountains in quebec, canada, I went down to charge the car at the only charging station at the resort. It was being used, so I returned to our cabin in the d building. As I approached the building, I pulled up to clear a car so that I could park beside it. I slowed and before I could put the car in reverse, the car rolled forward a few inches. My foot was already on the brake so I pressed it harder. But the car continued to roll forward. It wouldn't stop. When it finally came to a stop on the edge of a rock wall, it slowly rolled off the edge and dropped about 20 feet and rolled over coming to rest upright. I have photos and a video of the location and aftermath. The consumer stated she opened up an investigation with toyota.
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
DateMay 15, 2022
StateTX
Description
The vehicle went into drive from neutral after being placed on a moving track (car wash). The forward collision system activated and the automatic brake deployed when the vehicle sensed moving parts in the car wash. From there, the car automatically went out of neutral and into drive with no action from the driver. The vehicle drove forward and struck another vehicle.
CategoryAir Bags, Unknown Or Other
DateMar 27, 2022
StateAK
Description
Airbags never deployed front or side. Vehicle equipped and activated sos system did not work. Vehicle was a total loss and I nearly died in the process
CategoryVisibility/wiper
DateDec 18, 2021
StateGA
Description
Driving 60mph on highway and driver's side window spontaneously shattered and covered the driver, drive seat and floor, leaving only about 10 square inches that fell secondarily. There was no projectile that penetrated into the car at all, and no glass was projected over to passenger side as would be indicated if there had been a projectile.
CategoryTires
DateNov 19, 2021
StateIL
Description
The rear passenger dunlop enasave 01 as 195/65r15 tire on my 2022 awd model prius blew while I was driving 50 mph down a residential highway. I ran over nothing, and the tire tread was completely separated from the rest of the tire and rim.
CategoryUnknown Or Other
DateNov 19, 2021
StateMI
Description
Unable to heat cabin or ac remotely - see screenshots
CategoryEngine
DateNov 01, 2021
StateNJ
Description
Carfax notified us that our vehicle was part of a recall on 9/24/21. Toyota never contacted us. I contacted toyota corporate the week of oct. 18th and they contacted the dealer (hudson toyota in jersey city) and the dealer said they had a fix. I brought it in and the service department said there was a mistake and the fix wasn't available. When I contacted them again the week of oct. 25th they said they had a fix and made me a service appointment on nov. 9th. However when I went on nhtsa website it says that consumers will only be notified on nov. 20th and when I called toyota corporate they could not tell me when the fix would be available. I have not been driving my car and I have been shocked that no one at toyota seems to be able to tell me anything.
CategoryEngine And Engine Cooling, Hybrid Propulsion System
DateOct 14, 2021
StateCA
Description
The contact owns a 2022 toyota prius. The contact became aware of nhtsa campaign number: 21v734000 (hybrid propulsion system, engine and engine cooling) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

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Brian Jones

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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