2015 vs 2016 Toyota Prius
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3rd gen
2010–2015
Sold as Prius Plug-in Hybrid
- 3 warnings
- 1 recall
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4th gen
2016–2022
- 2 warnings
- 5 recalls
Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.
2015
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Brake booster and pump All years
What to check: Watch for brake warning lights when starting and on a test drive, and ask whether the brake booster or its pump was replaced.
Toyota's program ZJB extended cover for the brake booster and its pump, whose faults light the brake warning lamps, to ten years or 150,000 miles, so on a car first sold more than ten years ago it has ended. Toyota also recalled 2010 cars for brakes that could feel inconsistent after the ABS worked, and some for nitrogen leaking into the brake fluid.
Toyota, NHTSA
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Clogged EGR valve All years
What to check: Listen for a rough idle or a rattle on a cold start, and have the codes read for P0401.
Toyota's program ZF3 covered sticking EGR valves on 2010–2012 cars for ten years or 150,000 miles, which has ended. Jalopnik says the 3rd gen's EGR system can clog past 100,000 miles, causing misfires, and that head gaskets can leak.
Toyota, Jalopnik
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Inverter shutting down All years
What to check: Ask whether recalls 14V053000 and 18V684000 were done, and on a 2013 to 2015 car 20V369000 too, and watch for warning lights.
Toyota recalled 2010–2014 cars twice for the power module inside the inverter, which could put the car in limp mode or shut the hybrid system down while driving, and 2013–2015 cars not covered by the second recall.
NHTSA
2016
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Cracked windshield All years
What to check: Look over the windshield for cracks, and ask whether it has been replaced and with what glass.
On CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, 25 owners of the 2016 report a cracked windshield at about 18,350 miles on average, most after a small stone, some with no impact they knew of, and some cracking again after replacement. Jalopnik also names windshield cracks.
Jalopnik, owners' reports (unofficial)
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Wiring harness near the hybrid controller 2016–2018
What to check: Ask whether recall 18V579000 was done.
Part of the engine wiring harness at the hybrid power control unit can rub through on its cover and short, raising the risk of fire.
NHTSA
Rare catches
2015
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Rare
Absolutely Red Color
Only on the 2015 Persona Series An owners' registry (unofficial)
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Rare
Clearwater Blue Metallic Color
Prius Plug-in Hybrid only An owners' registry (unofficial)
2016
Nothing that 2015 lacks.
Recalls
2015
- 20V369000 2013–2015
Too much voltage in the power module inside the inverter may shut down the hybrid system, and the car can stall while driving. NHTSA
2016
- 16V672000 2016
A manufacturing error in the inflator may partly inflate the front passenger airbag without a crash. NHTSA
- 16V741000 2016–2017
The foot parking brake cable may come loose, so a car left out of Park can roll away. NHTSA
- 17V658000 2016
A capacitor may not have been bolted properly to the inverter housing. Vibration can damage it and shut down the hybrid system. NHTSA
- 18V085000 2016
Airbag pressure or acceleration sensors may fail, so the side, curtain or front airbags may not deploy in a crash. NHTSA
- 18V579000 2016–2018
Part of the engine wiring harness at the hybrid power control unit can rub through on its cover and short, raising the risk of fire. NHTSA
What changed between
After 2015, up to and including 2016.
What it came with
2015
2016
Both years
Colors
2015
- Winter Gray Metallic 8V1, 2010–2015 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Black 202, 2010–2015 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Barcelona Red Metallic 3R3, 2010–2015 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Absolutely Red 3P0, 2015 An owners' registry (unofficial) Rare
- Nautical Blue Metallic 8S6, 2012–2015 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Clearwater Blue Metallic 8W1, 2012–2015 An owners' registry (unofficial) Rare
2016
- Magnetic Gray Metallic 1G3, 2016–2022 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Midnight Black Metallic 218, 2016–2022 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Hypersonic Red 3T7, 2016–2019 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Blue Crush Metallic 8W7, 2016–2018 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Both years
- Super White 040, 2016–2022 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Blizzard Pearl 070, 2016–2020 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Classic Silver Metallic 1F7, 2016–2022 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Sea Glass Pearl 781, 2016–2022 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
What owners and buyers say
Reputation: what owners and the press report
2015
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Sought after: 2014–2015 One source so far
SlashGear names the 2014 and 2015 among the best used Prius years, and notes that the 2015 has a rear camera on several trims. SlashGear
2016
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Sought after: The most reliable Prius All years One source so far
Jalopnik ranks the 4th gen first of five for reliability, noting that Consumer Reports rated two of its seven model years excellent and the other five well above average. Jalopnik
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Avoid: 2016 Less sought after
SlashGear says to avoid the 2016 for windshields that crack. CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, counts 47 complaints for the 2016, the most of the 4th gen. SlashGear, owners' reports (unofficial)