NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Toyota Prius Safety Ratings
The 2023 Toyota Prius scores 88 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 4 recalls, and 18 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
Four active recall campaigns temper the 2023 Toyota Prius's otherwise excellent crash-test record. On the strength of its federal safety evaluations, the 2023 Prius earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 88/100, placing it in the Strong band. Shoppers should verify all four recalls are resolved by VIN before purchase.
The 2023 Toyota Prius received a 5-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 88/100, derived exclusively from NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 92 Sedans from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Toyota Prius ranks 58 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 88 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 10.2% |
| Recalls on file | 4 |
| Owner complaints | 18 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 58 of 92 Sedans tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Toyota Prius?
The 2023 Toyota Prius holds an 88/100 Safety Index in the Strong band, a figure that held flat versus the 2022 model's identical 88/100. That stability is not a sign of stagnation but reflects a well-structured scoring profile: crash protection contributes 66 of a possible 70 points, avoidance technology earns a full 10 out of 10 thanks to standard forward collision warning, standard lane departure warning, and standard electronic stability control. The area pulling the Index below a higher tier is the defect record sub-score of 12.25 out of 20, a direct consequence of four active recall campaigns. Two of those campaigns target the same component category, electrical system wiring at switches and controls, one involving potential water intrusion at the rear door. The backup camera display recall adds a second active safety concern. The crash-test picture is genuinely strong: a 5-star overall NHTSA rating with perfect frontal and side scores. The 4-star rollover result and 10 percent rollover risk are the only test-based caveat. For a used-market vehicle now three model years old, the recall backlog is the defining safety story of this specific year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Toyota Prius perform in crash tests?
The 2023 Toyota Prius earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, achieving perfect 5-star scores in both frontal and side impact crash tests. Its sole relative deficiency is in rollover protection, rated at 4 out of 5 stars. Despite this, NHTSA's dynamic tip test concluded with "No Tip," and the calculated rollover risk stands at 10 percent.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 18592
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
Four recall campaigns cover this model year. Two address electrical system wiring at switches and controls, including a water intrusion issue at the rear door that can affect wiring. A third targets the backup camera display function. A fourth, issued by Gulf States Toyota, concerns equipment labels. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided, but buyers should confirm remedy status by VIN.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:SWITCHES/KNOBS/BUTTONS26V049000
Risk: A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB03 and 26TA03. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 24V274. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed.
Reported 2026-01-28
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION25V744000
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
Reported 2025-10-30
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS24V548000
Risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.
Reported 2024-07-23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:SWITCHES/KNOBS/BUTTONS24V274000
Risk: A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving or during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both right and left rear door opener switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB06 and 24TA06.
Reported 2024-04-17
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Toyota Prius?
Eighteen owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA, including one alleged crash, one alleged injury, and one alleged death. These are unverified allegations. The most frequently reported components are the Electrical System (5 reports), Latches/Locks/Linkages (3), Structure (3), and Wheels (3).
18 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Toyota Prius?
Before committing to any 2023 Prius, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool to confirm that all four open campaigns have been remedied. Unresolved recalls transfer with ownership, and two of the four involve electrical system wiring. Remedy completion, not purchase price, should drive the timeline of any transaction.
- Two separate recall campaigns specifically target electrical system wiring at switches and controls on this model year, one of which involves water intrusion at the rear door, making electrical system complaint reports worth scrutiny.
- The defect record sub-score of 12.25 out of 20 is the single largest drag on the 2023 model's 88/100 Index, directly tied to four active recalls rather than to any crash-test shortfall.
- NHTSA's dynamic tip test returned a No Tip result for this model year, providing context for the 4-star rollover rating and the 10 percent rollover risk figure.
- Eighteen unverified owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA, with the most recent alleged incident reported in 2026, indicating the complaint record for this model year remains active and should be reviewed before purchase.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Toyota Prius places
The 2023 Toyota Prius qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Toyota Prius safety questions
Was the 2023 Toyota Prius crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Toyota Prius, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 88 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2023 Toyota Prius crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 Toyota Prius earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 10.2%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota Prius have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 4 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Toyota Prius. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Toyota Prius?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 18 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Toyota Prius. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Prius years
Rivals in Sedan (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Audi S4 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Nissan Maxima | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Polestar 2 | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model S Later Release | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 18592), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Toyota Prius 2023.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 58 of 92 in the Sedan class for 2023.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.