ToyotaPrius2018Overview/toyota/prius/2018/base/

2018 Toyota Prius

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2018 Toyota Prius is a passenger car equipped with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios, achieving an EPA-rated 54 mpg city, 50 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined — figures that underscore its efficiency-focused engineering. With only 35 total owner complaints and a single recall on record, this model year ranks among the least problematic entries in the Prius's complaint history spanning 2000 through 2026, especially when measured against the 2010 high of 2,819 complaints. The top complaint area, exterior lighting, is relatively narrow in scope, suggesting the 2018 sits firmly on the favorable side of the model's long-term reliability trajectory.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy54/50/52 mpgEPA · 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 / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195/65R15, P215/45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5, 7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1 alt 9030169011
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 / combined54 / 50 / 52 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Prius of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.20 sec — 2018 C Four Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018C Four Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec 0.9-kWh11.20 sec18.20 sec99 hpFWD
2017Prime Advanced Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 8.8-kWh10.00 sec17.40 sec121 hpFWD
2017Prime Advanced Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 8.8-kWh10.10 sec17.50 sec121 hpFWD
2017Prime Advanced Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 8.8-kWh10.20 sec17.70 sec121 hpFWD
2017Prime Plus Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 8.8-kWh10.30 sec17.70 sec121 hpFWD
2017Prime Premium Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 8.8-kWh10.50 sec17.90 sec121 hpFWD
2017Three Touring Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 0.7-kWh10.50 sec17.80 sec121 hpFWD
2019Limited Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 0.75-kWh9.80 sec17.40 sec121 hpFWD

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.98-1.10 lbs.
Oil TypeND Oil 11 or equivalent.
Oil Capacity3.80-4.20 oz.

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) · Radiator (inspect)
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)

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 broader generation data reveals a massive historical spike in federal complaints peaking at 2,819 in 2010, followed by a steady, long-term decline in subsequent years. Within this downward trajectory, the 2018 model year records just 35 complaints and a single recall, improving upon the 101 complaints and 3 recalls from 2017, and continuing the low-complaint trend into 2019 which saw 29 complaints. For the 2018 Prius specifically, the primary complaint areas are Exterior Lighting and Visibility/Wiper (4 complaints each), followed by Air Bags and Unknown or Other (3 each), alongside 5 crash complaints and zero fire complaints; however, the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Positioned at the lower end of the generation's complaint arc, the 2018 model implies significant maturity and refinement over earlier, problematic years. Ultimately, the 2018 Toyota Prius stands as a statistically low-risk and highly recommended year to purchase in the used market.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
199
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
35
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 35 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting4
Visibility/Wiper4
Air Bags3
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System2
Seats2
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V579000Electrical System:WiringReported 05/09/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 199 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-0790-252025-08-20Electrical SystemSome customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0110-20 Rev22024-12-10EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high…
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. 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 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Prius get?

EPA figures are 54 city / 50 highway / 52 combined mpg.