When the Toyota Prius was released in 1997, it was the first mass-produced hybrid car.
These days, the Prius remains a popular vehicle choice due to its environmentally-friendly hybrid electric motor, comfortable driving, great battery life, and advanced technology.
But how many miles does a Prius last? Read on to find out more about the durability of the Prius.
How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Toyota Prius?
The Toyota Prius can last up to 250,000 miles in good condition.
So if you drive an average of 15,000 to 20,000 miles annually, you can get about 12 to 16 years out of your well-maintained Prius.
Car enthusiasts tend to doubt the durability of a hybrid car and believe that this type of car does not get the same mileage as other cars with fuel engines.
With a regularly maintained Prius, you should be able to get between 200,000 to 250,000 miles out of it before you need to start replacing parts.
The lifespan of a Prius will depend on two things:
- Proper maintenance at regular intervals.
- Responsible use and driving.
How long do the brakes last?
The brakes on a Prius can last anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 miles.
However, if you are frequently driving in traffic where you have to brake a lot, the brakes could wear down faster than 30,000 miles.
How long do the tires last?
With good tire maintenance (including alignment and rotation) and careful driving, the tires of a Prius can last up to 60,000 miles.
How long does the transmission last?
According to devoted Prius owners, if you change the transmission regularly and flush the transmission every 60,000 miles, it can last anywhere from 100,000 miles to 200,000 miles.
How long do spark plugs last?
Your spark plugs can last around 100,000 miles or more before they need replacement.
How long does a Toyota Prius battery last?
The lifespan of the batteries depends on various factors, like how hard you drive and how regularly you service your Prius.
Toyota reports that a battery will last between 100,000 and 150,000 miles, or about 8 to 10 years.
Of course, this is just a general estimate, and some Prius drivers have gotten a lot more mileage and years out of their battery.
ALSO READ: Battery On Prius: How Long Do They Last?
When Should You Expect Your Toyota Prius to Rust?
Based on online reviews, it is estimated that a Toyota Prius may show signs of rust within six years.
The areas of the car most prone to rust are:
- Real wheel wells
- The underbody of the car
- Quarter panels
- The suspension (especially on the rear).
These components are prone to rust because of their exposure to the road.
Stones that fly up can chip away at the paint, which will remove the protection and expose the car to the elements.
You can take certain steps to rust-proof your Prius, which will reduce the risk of rust.
How Long Does a Toyota Prius Last Compared to Similar Cars?
Now that you know the Toyota Prius is one of the most durable and long-lasting hybrid cars out there, how does it compare to similar cars?
Toyota Prius vs. Ford C-Max
The Ford C-Max is a zippy car but has lower mileage than the Toyota Prius, averaging a maximum mileage of about 200,000 miles – which is 50,000 miles less than the Prius.
The Toyota Prius is also more affordable to maintain than the Ford C-Max.
Toyota Prius vs. Chevrolet Volt
The average lifespan of the Chevrolet Volt is about 200,000 miles, which is 50,000 miles less than the Prius.
The Prius also has more affordable running costs with regular maintenance, making it the better choice for a hybrid car.
Toyota Prius vs. Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is an electric car, not a hybrid; however, these cars still get compared quite frequently.
On average, the Nissan Leaf gets about 150,000 miles, which is 100,000 miles less than the Prius.
Is a Toyota Prius a Reliable Car?
The Toyota Prius’ popularity goes beyond its fuel efficiency. It is renowned for its reliability and has scored Reliability Ratings of 4.5 out of 5.
The Prius V and the Prius C have also been heralded as one of the top 10 most dependable small-sized cars in a Vehicle Dependability Study conducted in 2019.
Toyota Prius – The Best and Worst Model Years
Sadly, not every year has been a good year for the Toyota Prius.
The 2011 model gave a lot of issues, with plenty of unscheduled repairs required.
The reason for these issues was the engine oil consumption of the vehicle.
Owners of the 2011 model reported that the engine was guzzling oil, as much as 1 quart per 1,000 miles.
If left unnoticed, the vehicle would have to go in for a major repair, and mechanic’s quotes were incredibly expensive – up to $4,000 in repair costs.
The 2011 model also had some major issues with headlights and brakes.
The brakes would suddenly disengage while driving over an uneven surface, and the headlights would frequently burn out.
On the upside, the 2019 Prius model has received sterling reviews and has been considered the best year for the Toyota Prius so far.
The Most Common Toyota Prius Problems
Below are some common problems reported for the Toyota Prius:
- The High-Intensity Discharge headlamps aren’t lighting up.
- The low-beam headlights are failing or burning out.
- Excessively consuming oil.
- Sometimes the car stalls without any warning.
Toyota Prius Recalls
There have been a couple of recalls over the years since production of the Prius commenced in 1997.
Here are the model years and the number of recalls for that model, in chronological order:
- 2001: 3 recalls
- 2002: 2 recalls
- 2003: 1 recall
- 2005: 6 recalls
- 2004: 6 recalls
- 2006: 6 recalls
- 2007: 4 recalls
- 2008: 4 recalls
- 2009: 6 recalls
- 2010: 10 recalls
- 2011: 6 recalls
- 2012: 6 recalls
- 2013: 2 recalls
- 2014: 2 recalls
- 2016: 5 recalls
- 2018: 2 recalls
As you can see, most recalls occurred in 2010.
This was because of issues with the brakes.
Is it Costly to Maintain a Toyota Prius?
The Toyota Prius is not expensive to maintain and service.
On average, the maintenance of the Prius costs $408 a year.
The Plug-In hybrid has the lowest service cost at $364.
The Prius C will cost you $383, and the Prius V will cost you $437 on average each year.
Below we have listed the Prius models and some common repairs each model requires, as well as what you can expect to pay for the repairs on average.
Prius
- Replacement of the serpentine belt: $62
- Replacement of the blower motor: $238
Prius V
- Replacement of the timing chain tensioner: $179.50
- Replacing the emergency brake cable: $475.50
Prius C
- Replacing the brake shoe: $203.50
- Replacing the head gasket: $1,904.50
- Replacement of the EGR Valve: $719.50
How to Increase the Lifespan of Your Toyota Prius
Although the Toyota Prius has a good lifespan, several factors influence this lifespan.
There are some things you can do to increase it even more and get the highest mileage possible:
- Regularly service your vehicle.
- Drive carefully. Do not speed or brake suddenly.
- Buy replacement parts or spare components from the manufacturer or a reputable supplier.
Is a Toyota Prius Worth It?
Yes, the Toyota Prius is worth it.
If the 147,500 people in America that buys a Prius each year is not enough to convince you that buying a Prius is worth it, then you should also consider that the Prius is produced by one of the top car manufacturers in the world.
Toyota currently produces 23 hybrid-powered cars, and each of these cars is based on the power unit of the Prius.
The Prius is reliable, has great fuel efficiency, has low maintenance costs, and will save you a lot of money with the ever-increasing fuel prices.
FAQs
Is it OK to buy a high mileage Prius?
If you are able to find a high-mileage Prius with a proper service record, then it is probably a good investment.
A second-hand Prius that has been taken care of can still get a lot of mileage.
If you find a Prius with a lot of miles, make sure to check the car’s condition, find out how many previous owners it has had, its service history, and any accidents it may have been in.
What is the highest mileage recorded on a Toyota Prius?
On average, a Toyota Prius will last about 250,000; however, one Reddit user reported coming across a 2006 Prius with 520,000+ miles!
How much does it cost to replace a Prius engine?
The cost to replace an engine, including labor costs, will be about $7,000 for a new engine.
A secondhand engine replacement will cost about $5,000.
How long does the battery pack in a Prius last?
On average, the battery of a Prius will last about 150,000 miles or 10-years.
This will depend on how hard the vehicle has been driven and how regularly it has been serviced.
Final Thoughts
The Toyota Prius may be a hybrid car, but these cars have an excellent lifespan if taken care of properly.
Although most Prius’ will last about 250,000 miles, with proper care and maintenance, it can go up to 300,000 miles with ease.