Toyota Prius is the go-to car if you’re one of those green-conscious beings longing to contribute less to the carbon footprint. While advanced fully electric (and expensive) cars are still an option, nothing carries the reliability tag as gracefully as a Toyota does, making it the perfect option for people who’re not completely sold on a fully-electric option and are content with a hybrid choice. However, if you’re looking to get your hands on a pre-owned one, ensure you don’t end up in a version prone to too many repairs. Today, we’ll guide you through some of the Toyota Prius years to avoid and why we don’t recommend buying them.
Driving a Toyota Prius puts you in the league of Hollywood celebs like Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz, who’ve always been advocates of environmental friendliness. So, if you’re one of those ‘green’ beings, look no more than the Prius.
Toyota Prius years to avoid
While there’s a plethora of reliable Toyota Prius models up for grabs, it’s better to avoid models which came out in some years like 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2016 due to the massive number of complaints reported by its users. We’ll have a detailed look into some of them.
2007 Toyota Prius: The least reliable
The 2007 Prius has a bad reputation as one of the least reliable Prius models Toyota has produced to date. The major fault associated with this car is its headlight, which powers off while driving. Furthermore, it also had an excessive oil consumption issue and other minor problems, which expects you to shell out money now and then.
2008 Toyota Prius
The 2008 Prius also had a handful of problems like its predecessor. It had the same headlight issue and a handful of other problems, like the inverter water pump failure, which affected the engine’s efficiency. This was a frequent issue and cost around $400 to fix. It is better to avoid this Prius year if you’re not a fan of frequent visits to the mechanic.
2010 Toyota Prius
2010 is one Prius year you must avoid at any cost. The fact that Toyota had overlooked frequently reported problems like excessive oil consumption and headlight damage underlines why you shouldn’t go for this model. Apart from these, the 2010 Prius had significant body and mechanical issues like the paint peeling off and brake issues, compromising its safety.
2012 Toyota Prius: should you avoid?
Though the 2012 model came out with comparatively fewer problems than its predecessors, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t avoid this model. Alongside the unattended headlight issue, owners had reported problems with its dashboard display, fuel gauge, starting troubles, and the hybrid transmission even before the car clocked 20000 miles.
The Prius is one of the most popular cars among Uber drivers, earning the moniker “Uber Car” due to its high rate of customer satisfaction, excellent fuel economy, and high level of safety and reliability (all hallmarks of Toyota vehicles).
Should you avoid getting a 2016 Prius?
There are fewer complaints about the 2016 Prius than any other models on this list. Yet, one must realize that these issues pop up at lower mileage, i.e., when the car is still relatively new. This obviously can’t be right. Furthermore, It is better to avoid this Prius year due to frequent windshield cracks that spread across quickly.
Is the Toyota Prius a reliable car?
A Toyota Prius lasts between 200000 to 250000 miles on average. Some users have even claimed to cross the 3 lakh milestone with their car, justifying its position in the list of the most reliable hybrid cars you can buy today.
How long does Toyota Prius last?
A car’s longevity completely depends on how well you take care of it. However, a Prius is a Toyota at the end of the day; you can expect it to run longer miles than any other car. 200000 to 250000 miles is what you can expect a Toyota Prius to last, depending on the model year. Make sure that you avoid Prius years to avoid facing issues with longevity.
Which Prius version is the best?
Now that you know the Prius years you should avoid, We’ll also tell you some of the best years you can consider. The ones that came out around 2017-2022 are considered safe for purchase, as only a few problems have been reported with these. 2003, 2013, and 2015 models are also good picks if you’re eyeing some older models.
However, note that these cars also have their own set of complaints, which aren’t severe as the ones mentioned in the article.
Should I avoid buying an old Prius?
It is completely okay to buy an old Prius if you’re on a tight budget. However, ensure that you avoid certain Prius years (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016), as they came out with many problems. Also, ensure the car has a healthy battery pack, as they can be expensive to replace.
What problems does a Prius have?
Prius owners have reported several engine problems like a blown head gasket, overheating, stalling, and engine failures. Apart from this, several Prius models across the years have shown problems like a windshield crack (mostly attributed to a design flaw), headlight failures, and issues with components like dashboard display, cruise control, etc.
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