Toyota Prius (XW50) Buyer's Guide: Problems and Years to Avoid (2016-2022)
Toyota · Prius · XW50 · 2016–2022
The fourth-generation Prius gets 52 mpg and has one of the cleanest records of any used car. Its known problems are cracked windshields on early cars, a wiring harness fire-risk recall, and the usual hybrid battery questions. Here's what to check on a used 2016-2022 Prius.
Mirko7 min read
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The 2016-2022 Toyota Prius (XW50) is the most fuel-efficient mainstream used car you can buy without a plug, at 52 mpg combined, and one of the most reliable. With gas at $4.43 a gallon, that combination is why used Priuses sell fast.
This generation's record is short. Owners of the first two model years filed dozens of complaints about windshields that crack on their own, and a 2016-2018 recall covers a wiring harness that can short and cause a fire. Beyond that, the questions are the ones you'd ask about any high-mileage hybrid: how old is the battery, is the warranty still running, and has every recall been done.
Generation Overview
The fourth-generation Prius went on sale in North America in January 2016 and was the first Toyota built on its TNGA platform, with a lower center of gravity and a stiffer body than the car it replaced. It uses a 1.8L 2ZR-FXE four-cylinder engine with two motor-generators and a power-split eCVT, according to Wikipedia's generation history. There's no conventional transmission to fail.
| Version | Model year rated | EPA mpg (city/hwy/combined) |
|---|---|---|
| Prius (FWD) | 2016 and 2022 | 54 / 50 / 52 |
| Prius Two Eco (FWD) | 2016 | 58 / 53 / 56 |
| Prius AWD-e | 2019 | 52 / 48 / 50 |
| Prius AWD-e | 2022 | 51 / 47 / 49 |
EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov.
Key changes by year:
- 2016: Launch. US trims Two, Two Eco, Three, Three Touring, Four and Four Touring.
- 2019: Refresh with new headlights and taillights. New trim names (L Eco, LE, XLE, Limited) and the AWD-e option, which adds a small electric motor to drive the rear wheels at low speeds.
- 2020: Toyota's hybrid battery warranty rose to 10 years or 150,000 miles, transferable to later owners.
- 2022: Final year before the fifth-generation Prius.
Toyota used both nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries in this generation depending on version, and AWD-e models use nickel-metal hydride for better cold-weather performance. The plug-in Prius Prime shares the platform but is a different car with a larger battery.
Known Issues
These come from NHTSA's recall database and owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recalls are free at any Toyota dealer, whoever owns the car. Check any Prius's VIN at NHTSA.
Engine Wire Harness Short Circuit (2016-2018)
What it is: Part of the engine wire harness that connects to the hybrid power control unit can rub against its cover, wear through and short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall 18V579 covers about 192,000 cars. Dealers inspect the harness, replace it if it's damaged and add a protective sleeve or tape.
Who it affects: 2016-2018 Prius.
Severity: High while unrepaired. The fix is simple and free.
What to watch for: Confirm with a Toyota dealer that 18V579 is complete. Most of these cars were repaired years ago, but a car that changed hands several times may have been missed.
Windshield Cracking (2016-2017)
What it is: The most common complaint about this generation. Of the 179 NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Prius, 43 describe the windshield cracking, often with no impact the owner noticed, and 17 of the 91 complaints for the 2017 do the same. Owners of 2016-2017 cars filed a class action in 2018 alleging a windshield defect and denied warranty claims. There's no recall.
Who it affects: Mainly 2016-2017. Complaints drop sharply from 2018.
Severity: Low for safety, medium for cost. On cars with Toyota Safety Sense, the forward camera behind the windshield has to be recalibrated after a replacement, which adds to the bill.
What to watch for: Check the whole windshield for cracks, especially at the edges and the lower corners, where they tend to start. Ask whether it has been replaced, and with what glass.
Hybrid System Shutdown Software (2022)
What it is: The engine control unit software can falsely detect an error and shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power. Recall 21V734 fixes it with a software update on about 8,400 Prius and Prius Prime cars.
Who it affects: Some 2022 Prius and Prius Prime.
Severity: High while unrepaired.
What to watch for: Confirm the recall is complete. On the test drive, any "check hybrid system" warning is a reason to stop and get it diagnosed.
First-Year Recalls (2016-2017)
What it is: The 2016 launch cars carry most of this generation's recalls:
- A foot-operated parking brake cable that can disengage, letting the car roll if it's left out of Park (16V741, about 91,600 cars, 2016-2017)
- A front passenger airbag inflator that can partially inflate on its own (16V672, about 7,800 2016 cars)
- A side curtain airbag recall shared with some Lexus models (18V085)
- A hybrid inverter capacitor that may not have been bolted in, on a handful of 2016 cars (17V658)
Severity: Varies. All are free to fix.
What to watch for: Run the VIN and confirm every recall is closed. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope.
Instrument Cluster Blackout (2019)
What it is: A short circuit in the combination meter can blank the speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. Recall 19V876 covers about 3,750 2019 cars. A separate 2019 recall, 19V544, covers stability control software shared with several Toyota and Lexus hybrids.
Severity: Medium.
What to watch for: The display should work normally from startup and throughout the drive.
Sub-Variant Issues
Hybrid battery age: Every Prius in this generation is past or approaching the point where battery condition matters. 2016-2019 cars carry 8 years or 100,000 miles of hybrid battery coverage (longer in states that follow California's emissions rules), so most are now out of it. 2020-2022 cars carry 10 years or 150,000 miles, so most still have years left. That difference should show up in the price. Our hybrid battery guide covers what to check and what a replacement costs.
Battery cooling intake: The hybrid battery is cooled by cabin air drawn through a vent near the rear seat. A clogged intake, common in cars carrying pets or driven on dusty roads, makes the battery run hot and age faster. Ask whether it has been cleaned.
Catalytic converter theft: Hybrid catalytic converters contain more precious metals than most, and Priuses have been prime targets for thieves, especially older generations, according to HLDI data reported by Automotive Fleet. Check that the converter is present and original, and ask whether the car has been hit before. Some owners add a protective shield.
AWD-e (2019-2022): The rear motor helps only at low speeds and in slippery conditions. It costs 2 to 3 mpg and adds a small amount of complexity, but it's a genuine help in snow.
What NHTSA complaints show
As of September 2026, NHTSA had 179 complaints for the 2016 Prius, 91 for the 2017, 36 for the 2018, 30 for the 2019, 14 for the 2020, 6 for the 2021 and 24 for the 2022. That's a steep drop after the first two years, which is typical for a new generation and consistent with the windshield complaints fading after 2017. Complaint counts aren't verified and aren't adjusted for sales.
Your Car Is Not This Article
This page covers what's documented about the generation. The Prius you're looking at has its own history: how old its battery is, whether its recalls were done, and whether it spent years in a hot climate or as a rideshare car. A Squeezed report pulls the exact risk profile for your specific year and trim, including open recalls. Run a report before you make an offer.
If you're weighing a Prius against a regular gas car, our hybrid payback analysis shows how the fuel savings compare with the price gap.
Sources
- NHTSA, Recalls database and complaints data for the 2016-2022 Toyota Prius (retrieved September 30, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Energy and EPA, fueleconomy.gov (EPA ratings, 2016, 2019 and 2022 Prius)
- Wikipedia, Toyota Prius (XW50) (launch, platform and powertrain)
- Toyota, Toyota Extends Battery Warranty for Model Year 2020 Hybrid, Plug-in, and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (October 10, 2019)
- Top Class Actions, Toyota Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Prius Windshield Defect (March 6, 2018)
- Automotive Fleet, Older Toyota Prius Models Targeted by Component Thieves
FAQ
What are the most common problems with the Toyota Prius (XW50) (2016-2022)?
Windshield cracking is the most common owner complaint, concentrated in 2016-2017 cars. The most serious issue is a 2016-2018 recall for an engine wire harness that can short against the hybrid power control unit and cause a fire. A 2022 recall fixes software that can shut down the hybrid system.
Is the Toyota Prius (XW50) (2016-2022) reliable?
Yes. It has a power-split hybrid system with no conventional transmission, relatively few recalls, and NHTSA complaints that fall sharply after the first two model years. On a used one, the main question is the hybrid battery's age and remaining warranty.
Are there Toyota Prius (XW50) (2016-2022) years to avoid?
The 2016 has the most complaints and recalls, and 2016-2017 cars account for most windshield cracking reports. They are still reasonable buys if every recall is done. 2020-2022 cars carry Toyota's 10-year, 150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty, which makes them the safer bet on battery risk.