ToyotaPrius Prime2018Overview/toyota/prius-prime/2018/base/

2018 Toyota Prius Prime

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Prius Prime.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2018 Toyota Prius Prime is a passenger car built on Toyota’s hybrid platform, powered by an electric motor and a gasoline engine paired with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios; this combination delivers a smooth, efficient drive that has earned the vehicle a modest total of 14 owner complaints, all centered on the power‑train system, and no recalls to date. In the broader model complaint history spanning 20172024, the Prius Prime’s 2018 year falls in the lower‑mid range—well below the 2017 peak of 143 complaints and comfortably above the 2023 low of just 4—indicating a steady reliability record that continues to improve over time.

Model year20242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA efficiency55/53/54 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range640 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnCANHOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195/65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780121060
Spark plug9091901298
Battery2880037130
Front wiper blades8521247130 alt 8522247130
Thermostat1632637020 alt 1603137010
Cabin air filter871390R030 alt 8713958010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.7 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3064 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined55 / 53 / 54 MPGe
Electric range640 mi
Charge time (240V)2.0 hr
Electric motor16 and 37 kW AC Induction
Energy use25.0 kWh/100mi
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs20 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts140.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts140.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17mm
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerToyota
Spark Plug Gap.032
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum50.0 psi
RPM44.0-50.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0.
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum50.0 psi
RPM44.0-50.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque25
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque79
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .296
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0059

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1In multiple steps36 ft. lbs
2Turn 90 degrees90 degrees
3Turn 45
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (inspect coolant)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 model year marks a precipitous decline from 2017's anomalous spike of 143 complaints and four recalls, settling at just 14 complaints with zero recalls while maintaining one investigation. This data point initiated a sustained era of low complaint volume—ranging merely 4 to 16 annually through 2024—that stands in stark contrast to both the elevated activity of the inaugural model year and the 2023-2024 period that saw four recalls per year despite low complaint counts. With technical service bulletins dropping to 98 from 2017's 320 and aligning with the subsequent stable range of 90-125, the 2018 Prime occupies favorable territory after initial volatility subsided but before the later recall spikes. Given its position featuring minimal safety incidents (four crash complaints, zero fire complaints) and no recalls during a generation that saw recall activity in both earlier and later years, the 2018 Prius Prime represents the most reliable model year to purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
98
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train2
Unknown Or Other2
Air Bags2
Visibility1
Structure,Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other1
Service Brakes1
Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 98 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-TT-0784-25 Rev12025-06-17EngineSome ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs. This can lead to accidental use…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-TT-0784-252025-06-13EngineSome ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs. This can lead to accidental use…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Prius Prime. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 Prius Prime have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the Prius Prime?

EPA figures are 55 city / 53 highway / 54 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 640 miles.