This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing the battery rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual references the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) charger.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Toyota Prius engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Toyota Prius have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Prius | 13 |
| 2016 Prius | 6 |
| 2017 Prius | 8 |
| 2018 Prius (this page) | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Toyota Prius, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 13 model years of Toyota Prius we track for engine problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2020 – 2024 Corolla HV, 2017 – 2022 Prius Prime, and 2016 – 2022 Prius vehicles equipped with a 2ZR-FXE engine may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P210015 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control Motor Circuit Short to Battery or Open), or P210019 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control Motor Circuit Current Above Threshold), or P211172 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control System Actuator Stuck Open) present. The Engine Control Module (ECM) (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic has been modified to reduce the possibility of this condition. REVISION NOTICE April 17, 2024 Rev1: •The Required Tools & Equipment section has been updated.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020 – 2024 Corolla HV, 2017 – 2022 Prius Prime, and 2016 – 2022 Prius vehicles equipped with a 2ZR-FXE engine may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P210015 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control Motor Circuit Short to Battery or Open), or P210019 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control Motor Circuit Current Above Threshold), or P211172 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control System Actuator Stuck Open) present. The Engine Control Module (ECM) (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic has been modified to reduce the possibility of this condition. REVISION NOTICE April 17, 2024 Rev1: •The Required Tools & Equipment section has been updated.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020 – 2024 Corolla HV, 2017 – 2022 Prius Prime, and 2016 – 2022 Prius vehicles equipped with a 2ZR-FXE engine may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P210015 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control Motor Circuit Short to Battery or Open), or P210019 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control Motor Circuit Current Above Threshold), or P211172 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control System Actuator Stuck Open) present. The Engine Control Module (ECM) (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic has been modified to reduce the possibility of this condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020 – 2024 Corolla HV, 2017 – 2022 Prius Prime, and 2016 – 2022 Prius vehicles equipped with a 2ZR-FXE engine may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P210015 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control Motor Circuit Short to Battery or Open), or P210019 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control Motor Circuit Current Above Threshold), or P211172 (Throttle Actuator "A" Control System Actuator Stuck Open) present. The Engine Control Module (ECM) (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic has been modified to reduce the possibility of this condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Toyota prius. While driving 20 MPH, the electrical system failed and everything in the vehicle shut down. The vehicle decelerated and lost power. While the vehicle coasted, the engine restarted on its own. The vehicle was driven to Toyota vallejo (201 auto mall parkway, vallejo, ca 94591, 707-552-4545) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be replicated. The…
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine constantly overheated. An unidentified warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and became aware that the coolant reservoir was empty. One month later, the same failure reoccurred. A second independent mechanic inspected the…
Had engine trouble with your 2018 Toyota Prius?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2018 Toyota Prius?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 95,427 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Toyota/Prius.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.