Model year 2021 · Midsize Cars

2021 Toyota Prius: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Prius at 49–56 mpg combined across 3 versions. NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

0

EPA combined mpg

49–56

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Toyota Prius recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 0 safety recalls for the 2021 Toyota Prius, newest first.

No recalls are listed for the 2021 Toyota Prius in NHTSA's recall file as of Oct 27, 2026.

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Toyota Prius fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Toyota Prius EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Prius1.8L 4-cyl hybridAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveRegular54/50/52 mpg$1,300170
Prius AWD1.8L 4-cyl hybridAutomaticPart-time 4-Wheel DriveRegular51/47/49 mpg$1,350179
Prius Eco1.8L 4-cyl hybridAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveRegular58/53/56 mpg$1,200158

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Toyota Prius crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Toyota Prius NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 Toyota PRIUS 5 HB AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars10.7%Standard
2021 Toyota PRIUS 5 HB FWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars10.7%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Toyota Prius owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Prius, most recently on Feb 23, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Toyota Prius complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Engine2
Fuel/propulsion system2
Electrical system1
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control1
Lane departure: Assist1
Service brakes1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control1
Wheels1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Toyota Prius model years

Toyota Prius by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 Prius48–55 mpg——5/5
2026 Prius49–57 mpg1105/5
2025 Prius48–57 mpg2185/5
2024 Prius49–57 mpg4275/5
2023 Prius49–57 mpg4215/5
2022 Prius49–56 mpg1245/5
2020 Prius46–56 mpg0145/5
2019 Prius50–56 mpg3305/5
2018 Prius52–56 mpg1385/5
2017 Prius52–56 mpg3915/5
2016 Prius52–56 mpg51555/5
2015 Prius48–50 mpg21714/5

All Toyota Prius years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Toyota models

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Toyota.