Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Highlander vs Toyota Prius
How the Toyota Highlander and Toyota Prius compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Toyota Highlander vs Toyota Prius: The Highlander has 227.8 complaints per year, with major issues in transmission and brakes, while the Prius has 26.8 per year, with more minor electrical and brake complaints. The Prius is more reliable overall, but the Highlander offers more space. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Highlander or Toyota Prius more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a family-oriented SUV that, in ownership terms, offers space and utility but comes with a notable reliability caveat. Owner complaints over the past decade cluster heavily around the powertrain, with many describing harsh or delayed shifts, stalling, and even complete transmission failure, often linked to the UA80-series 8-speed automatic. Brake issues, including a low or spongy pedal and intermittent engagement, also appear frequently, along with fuel vapor smells that can enter the cabin. While not every vehicle will experience these problems, the pattern suggests that buyers should be prepared for potential drivetrain and brake repairs.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a compact hybrid known for fuel efficiency, but its complaint profile reveals a different set of concerns. Owners report fewer total issues per year, but those that do arise often involve unexpected loud noises from the audio system, brake pedal feedback that can be stiff or unresponsive, and visibility challenges due to the car's design. Electrical system glitches and hood latch corrosion are also mentioned. The Prius seems to have a lower frequency of major mechanical failures, but the issues that do occur can be annoying or, in the case of brakes, safety-relevant.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Highlander | Toyota Prius |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,278 | 268 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 | 20 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 128 | 42 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 227.8 | 26.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 138 | 23 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Toyota Highlander
- 01POWER TRAIN729
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER364
- 03SERVICE BRAKES273
- 04ENGINE251
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM219
Owners report harsh shifting, hesitation, and stalling, with some experiencing complete transmission failure requiring replacement. The UA80-series 8-speed automatic is frequently cited, especially during cold starts, and can leave the vehicle undrivable.
Brake pedal may feel low or go almost to the floor before engaging, leading to near-accidents. Some owners report intermittent brake failure warnings on the dashboard, indicating a potential loss of braking power.
A strong fuel vapor smell is noticeable inside the cabin, particularly on hot days or after long drives, coming from the rear fuel area. This could indicate a fuel system leak, which is a fire risk.
“Detailed Description of the Incident: I am reporting a recurring powertrain safety issue regarding the 8-speed automatic transmission (UA80-series) in my vehicle. [Symptoms] During cold-start conditions (outside temperatures below 30°F), the vehicle consisten…”
“The vehicle started stalling out randomly on the highway even with it being automatic, after getting home and parking it , it would not back up or drive . Took it to Toyota dealership and they said it’s an internal failure of the transmission which is a UA80…”
Toyota Prius
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER50
- 02SERVICE BRAKES45
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER28
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL27
Owners describe a scratching or rubbing noise from the brakes and a pedal that becomes difficult to push, sometimes requiring emergency braking to avoid a crash. This suggests possible brake booster or master cylinder issues.
An extremely loud, ear-piercing noise from the speakers occurs randomly on startup, lasting a few seconds, which can be startling and potentially damaging to hearing. This points to an audio system or electrical glitch.
The rear window, side mirrors, and large rear pillar create significant blind spots, especially for taller drivers. The blind spot monitoring system is reported to be intermittent, reducing trust in its warnings.
“Extremely loud, ear-piercing noise from speakers when the vehicle is started. Lasts about two to three seconds. My ears have been damaged by it. My young boys cried while in their car seats and said that their ears hurt. Noise occurs randomly. Dealer states t…”
“My 2022 Prius LE hood latch does not work. It does not click and hood stays locked. They told me at Walmart that the hood latch is probably corroded somewhere or defective. It takes two people to open the hood. My vehicle has 54,490mi. This has happened twice…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Toyota Highlander — 44 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charg…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
The risk: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reinstall the seat belt anchor with a new bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA16.
The defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the r…
The risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. G…
Toyota Prius — 20 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system a…
The risk: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owner…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.
The risk: A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB03 and 26TA03. This recall…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may falsely detect an error and shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TB07/21TA07.
Buyer analysis
Toyota Highlander or Toyota Prius: which should you buy?
Based on NHTSA data, the Toyota Prius has significantly fewer complaints per year (26.8) compared to the Toyota Highlander (227.8), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. In practice, this means a Prius buyer may face fewer reliability headaches, but the Highlander's problems are more likely to be major mechanical failures, such as transmission or brake issues, which could be costly.
Key differences
- The Highlander has far more complaints per year (227.8) than the Prius (26.8), indicating a higher rate of reported problems.
- Highlander owners frequently report transmission failures and brake pedal issues, which can be safety-critical, while Prius owners more often cite brake noise and stiffness, plus audio system glitches.
- The Highlander's fuel vapor smell inside the cabin is a unique concern not mentioned for the Prius, suggesting a potential fuel leak.
- The Prius has visibility complaints due to its design, while the Highlander does not highlight such issues.
- Test the transmission carefully, especially during a cold start, for any hesitation, jerking, or delayed engagement, as these are common precursors to failure.
- Check the brake pedal feel: if it feels spongy or goes too low before engaging, have the braking system inspected immediately.
- Listen for any loud, unexpected noises from the audio system when starting the car, as this is a reported electrical issue.
- Test the brakes for any unusual noises or a pedal that feels hard to press, and verify that the emergency braking system works properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and brakes for the Highlander, and the brakes and electrical system for the Prius.
- Take both vehicles for an extended test drive, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any transmission or brake anomalies.
- Ask the seller for service records, especially for transmission fluid changes or brake repairs.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls for the exact model year you are considering.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Toyota Highlander | Toyota Prius |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 9 |
| 2025 | 9 | 16 |
| 2024 | 42 | 23 |
| 2023 | 176 | 19 |
| 2022 | 236 | 24 |
| 2021 | 501 | 6 |
| 2020 | 309 | 14 |
| 2019 | 475 | 30 |
| 2018 | 264 | 36 |
| 2017 | 264 | 91 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Toyota Highlander or Toyota Prius in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Highlander vs Toyota Prius
- Toyota Highlander total complaints
- 2,278
- Toyota Prius total complaints
- 268
- Toyota Highlander total recalls
- 44
- Toyota Prius total recalls
- 20
- Toyota Highlander avg complaints/year
- 227.8
- Toyota Prius avg complaints/year
- 26.8
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Highlander top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Prius top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER