2007 Toyota Prius Problems: Lights (1,988 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2007 Toyota Prius is Lights (51% of 1,988 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Lights — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-16 1,988 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2007 Toyota Prius?

1,011 of 1,988 filings named Lights (51% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Brakes (260 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Cruise / speed control. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2006 has 1,419 reports on file; this year has 1,988. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2007 Toyota Prius

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Lights. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working.
  3. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  4. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Lights. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Lights 1,011 complaints · 50.9% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 124
  • Fires 9
  • Injuries 70
  • Deaths 1
Compare with 2006 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) appears in 1,011 of 1,988 owner complaints (50.9%) in this vehicle snapshot. Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 1,011 complaints, 50.9% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 4 crash reports 1,011 · 50.9% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 260 complaints, 13.1% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 35 crash reports 260 · 13.1% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 154 complaints, 7.8% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 crash reports 4 fire reports 154 · 7.8% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 131 complaints, 6.6% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 131 · 6.6% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 98 complaints, 4.9% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 31 crash reports 98 · 4.9% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 35 complaints, 1.8% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 26 crash reports 35 · 1.8% Engine (ENGINE): 33 complaints, 1.7% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 2 fire reports 33 · 1.7% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 32 complaints, 1.6% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 crash reports 1 fire reports 32 · 1.6% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 24 complaints, 1.2% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 2 crash reports 1 fire reports 24 · 1.2% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 561 complaints, 28.2% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 46 crash reports 5 fire reports 561 · 28.2% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 1,011 50.9% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 260 13.1% 35 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 154 7.8% 2 crashes · 4 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 131 6.6% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 98 4.9% 31 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 35 1.8% 26 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 33 1.7% 0 crashes · 2 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 32 1.6% 4 crashes · 1 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 24 1.2% 2 crashes · 1 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 561 28.2% 46 crashes · 5 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2006; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 2009. 2006-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2007-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2007-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2008-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2008-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2008-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2008-Q4: 49 owner reports 49 2009-Q1: 55 owner reports 55 2009-Q2: 56 owner reports 56 2009-Q3: 137 owner reports 137 2009-Q4: 135 owner reports 135 2010-Q1: 320 owner reports 320 2010-Q2: 61 owner reports 61 2010-Q3: 65 owner reports 65 2010-Q4: 67 owner reports 67 2011-Q1: 53 owner reports 53 2011-Q2: 21 owner reports 21 2011-Q3: 36 owner reports 36 2011-Q4: 25 owner reports 25 2012-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2012-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2012-Q3: 26 owner reports 26 2012-Q4: 34 owner reports 34 2013-Q1: 32 owner reports 32 2013-Q2: 21 owner reports 21 2013-Q3: 35 owner reports 35 2013-Q4: 42 owner reports 42 2014-Q1: 37 owner reports 37 2014-Q2: 25 owner reports 25 2014-Q3: 50 owner reports 50 2014-Q4: 38 owner reports 38 2015-Q1: 35 owner reports 35 2015-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2015-Q3: 29 owner reports 29 2015-Q4: 34 owner reports 34 2016-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2016-Q2: 18 owner reports 18 2016-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2016-Q4: 27 owner reports 27 2017-Q1: 18 owner reports 18 2017-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2017-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2017-Q4: 15 owner reports 15 2018-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2018-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2018-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2018-Q4: 15 owner reports 15 2019-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2019-Q2: 18 owner reports 18 2019-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2019-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2020-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2020-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2020-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2020-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2021-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2021-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2021-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2021-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2022-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2022-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2022-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2023-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2023-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2024-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2024-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2024-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 2006 Jan 2026 Recall campaign 09V388000 ◆ Recall campaign 09V388000 Recall campaign 10V036000 ◆ Recall campaign 10V036000 Recall campaign 12V536000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V536000 Recall campaign 12V537000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V537000 Investigation PE09019 ● Investigation PE09019 Investigation DP13001 ● Investigation DP13001 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005
  • Campaign 09V388000 was reported 755 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 10V036000 was reported 1,150 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2006-Q4 Owner reports 1
2007-Q1 Owner reports 2
2007-Q2 Owner reports 3
2007-Q3 Owner reports 10
2007-Q4 Owner reports 12
2008-Q1 Owner reports 10
2008-Q2 Owner reports 17
2008-Q3 Owner reports 18
2008-Q4 Owner reports 49
2009-Q1 Owner reports 55
2009-Q2 Owner reports 56
2009-Q3 Owner reports 137
2009-Q4 Owner reports 135
2010-Q1 Owner reports 320
2010-Q2 Owner reports 61
2010-Q3 Owner reports 65
2010-Q4 Owner reports 67
2011-Q1 Owner reports 53
2011-Q2 Owner reports 21
2011-Q3 Owner reports 36
2011-Q4 Owner reports 25
2012-Q1 Owner reports 22
2012-Q2 Owner reports 16
2012-Q3 Owner reports 26
2012-Q4 Owner reports 34
2013-Q1 Owner reports 32
2013-Q2 Owner reports 21
2013-Q3 Owner reports 35
2013-Q4 Owner reports 42
2014-Q1 Owner reports 37
2014-Q2 Owner reports 25
2014-Q3 Owner reports 50
2014-Q4 Owner reports 38
2015-Q1 Owner reports 35
2015-Q2 Owner reports 17
2015-Q3 Owner reports 29
2015-Q4 Owner reports 34
2016-Q1 Owner reports 22
2016-Q2 Owner reports 18
2016-Q3 Owner reports 16
2016-Q4 Owner reports 27
2017-Q1 Owner reports 18
2017-Q2 Owner reports 14
2017-Q3 Owner reports 14
2017-Q4 Owner reports 15
2018-Q1 Owner reports 22
2018-Q2 Owner reports 17
2018-Q3 Owner reports 18
2018-Q4 Owner reports 15
2019-Q1 Owner reports 9
2019-Q2 Owner reports 18
2019-Q3 Owner reports 7
2019-Q4 Owner reports 14
2020-Q1 Owner reports 11
2020-Q2 Owner reports 4
2020-Q3 Owner reports 8
2020-Q4 Owner reports 6
2021-Q1 Owner reports 5
2021-Q2 Owner reports 2
2021-Q3 Owner reports 5
2021-Q4 Owner reports 3
2022-Q1 Owner reports 4
2022-Q2 Owner reports 1
2022-Q3 Owner reports 3
2022-Q4 Owner reports 2
2023-Q1 Owner reports 3
2023-Q2 Owner reports 2
2023-Q3 Owner reports 3
2023-Q4 Owner reports 3
2024-Q1 Owner reports 2
2024-Q2 Owner reports 2
2024-Q3 Owner reports 5
2024-Q4 Owner reports 1
2025-Q1 Owner reports 1
2025-Q2 Owner reports 1
2026-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 09V388000
Recall campaign 1 10V036000
Recall campaign 1 12V536000
Recall campaign 1 12V537000
Defect investigation 1 PE09019
Defect investigation 1 DP13001
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Cruise / speed control.

  1. Recall campaign 09V388000

    Cruise / speed control

    Report date
    Component:
    Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
    Consequence:
    A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
    Remedy:
    TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 10V036000

    Safety recall 10V036000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 12V536000

    Safety recall 12V536000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 12V537000

    Safety recall 12V537000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-16
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 1,988 complaints · page 1 of 80
2026-01-15Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11711145
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2007 Toyota Prius touring edition WILL NOT TAKE ANY FUEL PROPERLY AND WILL OVERFILL AND "BURP" CAUSING GAS TO FLOW EXPLOSIVELY OUT OF THE FILLER NECK AND HOLE. Tank will not fill, at all, causing risk of running out of gas while on highway. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. FUEL TANK will not fill properly, if at all, overfills and burps causing fuel to blow out of the filler hole with force. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD as gas can spill all over near the filler area and possibly catch fire. Stopping the filler hose will not help, as the tank refuses to take any gas, even when close to empty. People need to put gas in, not guess. The car will ONLY TAKE BARELY 2 gallons in winter without overflowing. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD AS THIS OVERFLOWING GAS AND REVERSE FUEL FLOW CAN IGNITE, or catch fire. THE BLADDER IN THE TANK STOPS WORKING AND WILL NOT ALLOW FUELING ANS SPITS FUEL BACK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK AND HOLE.
2025-06-05Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11664994
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The brake actuator failed. When the car was diagnosed by the Toyota dealership, they identified the problem as an internal leak within the brake actuator. Luckily, nobody has been hurt attempting to drive the car, but it is still being driven to get it from home to the repair shop so anything is possible. The first symptom I could link to this was in 2023, when the car would not accelerate via the gas pedal after the brakes were pressed during cruise control. Turning off the car and turning it back on fixed the problem. Afterwards, the red brake symbol was turned on. From that point on, the brake light would only shine sometimes. leading me to believe there must not have been something wrong with the car, since nothing else happened after that. 2024 is when the red brake light and ABS symbol both lit up. The only information that I could find in the manual was to take the Prius to the Toyota dealership. I could not find details on the problem. I continued to drive the car regardless because there seemed to be no problem. After letting the car sit for a few months in 2025, I began driving it again, and it was fine. A month later, I turned on my car and was met with a loud beep that did not end. This was my final sign to take it to get repaired. The car has exceeded 200,000 miles. This fix is $3,205.40 at the dealership. My 2007 Toyota Prius is valued between $2k to $4k. The repair would cost more than simply buying another Prius.
2025-03-26Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11650664
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Check engine light came on with codes C 1256 & C 1300. Primary issue is Brake actuator failure. Toyota is ignoring this known and repeated issue and it may lead to a dangerous/ deadly situation if brakes go out while driving.
2024-11-05Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11623731
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Failing Brake Actuator Assembly. This is known issue by Toyota and they issued a brief warranty repair program, but have since stopped and refuse to fix the issue or provide assistance.
2024-09-28TIRESUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11617019
CrashFireInjuryDeath
After an Interstate highway drive and when then discovering my tire had been punctured by a screw or other object, but with still enough air in the tire to drive to a tire repair facility, I drove to have the puncture repaired. On repairing the puncture of the 185/65R15 tire, the repairman observed a portion of the tire’s steel belt to be visible on the inside of the tire. An immediate replacement of the tire was recommended, but this facility did not have an identical tire to provide. The facility emailed me a picture of the protruding steel belt. This writer has twice reported the matter to the tire’s manufacturer, but still no response since the first report on 09/24/2024. No party other than the tire repair facility has inspected the tire. This writer has recognized no noticeable effect of the defect, but the repair facility stated it could cause a blowout at any time.
2024-09-20SEAT BELTS
NHTSA ODI 11615569
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The drivers seat belt receptacle spit out a spring and plastic part and it cannot buckle anymore.
2024-08-26Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11610960
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2007 Toyota Prius Brake Actuator needs replaced. ABS, Parking Brake, VSC light came on 2 weeks ago when driving down a highway.
2024-08-20Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11609836
CrashFireInjuryDeath
There is a known, (by Toyota), issue with the ABS brake actuator in many Prius generations including the 2nd generation Prius that I own. My mechanic said it would cost @$3000 to fix. This as I said is and has been a known issue with these cars that affects the ABS braking and puts myself, my family and any one on the road near me in danger. Toyota was quietly replacing these under an unadvertised, extended warranty program. Mine is out of this so called warranty period but if this was a known issue and was corrected at no cost due to the fact Toyota knew there was an issue why was there never a recall on the affected models all with this same problem? I feel that this dangerous problem should be corrected by Toyota at no cost to the owners of their dangerous affected vehicles.
2024-07-10Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11600977
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Hatch release has melted, see NHTSA ID’s for example: 10511408, 10533059, 10504366, 10496197, 10448470, etc.
2024-05-02Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11586567
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Failing hybrid water pump at around 110,000 miles. This part was part of a recall in 2012 but my VIN is not included for the same issue.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2007 Toyota Prius?

Owners named Lights most often — 1,011 of 1,988 reports (51%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2007 Toyota Prius?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Cruise / speed control. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2007 Toyota Prius?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-16. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources