Above Average Reliability

2021 Toyota Prius Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

4th Generation (ZVW50) ยท 1.8L 4-cylinder + electric motor (121hp combined) ยท $21,000 - $28,000

Known Issues โ€” 2021 Toyota Prius

CRITICAL

Inverter cooling pump failure risk remains

MODERATE

High-voltage battery module degradation on higher-mileage units

MINOR

Windshield A-pillar wind noise

MINOR

Rear view visibility limited by design

MINOR

Dealer service costs higher than non-hybrid competitors

What to Inspect

  • Test HV battery health via scan tool
  • Check inverter cooling pump
  • Test all hybrid functions on startup
  • Verify Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 functions
  • Check all door seals for wind noise

Expected Maintenance Costs

Service Interval Cost
Oil change every 5,000 miles $40-$60
HV battery inspection every 30,000 miles $80-$150
Coolant flush (inverter loop) every 100,000 miles $120-$200
Brake pads (regenerative) every 80,000 miles $100-$160
Cabin air filter every 15,000 miles $15-$30
12V auxiliary battery every 5-7 years $150-$220

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