2018 Toyota prius prime problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota prius prime get?

The 2018 Toyota prius prime has a U.S. EPA estimate of 54 mpg combined (55 city / 53 highway).

2018 Toyota prius prime at a glance

Owner complaints14

Combined54 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2018 Toyota prius prime common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Fuel/propulsion System

Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Visibility

Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Vehicle Speed Control

Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

2018 Toyota prius prime MPG & running costs

Combined54 mpg

City55 mpg

Highway53 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$1,250

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2018 Toyota prius prime costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$6,250

Fuel only$6,250

Per mile$0.08

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.