ToyotaPrius2021Overview/toyota/prius/2021/base/

2021 Toyota Prius

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Prius.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2021 Toyota Prius combines an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios and an engine requiring 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 oil to deliver an EPA-estimated 54/50/52 mpg city/highway/combined. Within the model's complaint history spanning from 2000 to 2026, this iteration registers just six total owner complaints and zero recalls, standing in stark contrast to the 2010 peak of 2,819 complaints. Although the Fuel/Propulsion System emerges as the top complaint area for this model year, its near-floor position in the historical data signals a notably reliable era for the nameplate.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76.0 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 a BCI 140R · 295 CCA battery, 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.

Battery groupBCI 140R · 295 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/45R17 87VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780121060
Spark plug9091901298
Battery2880037130
Front wiper blades8522247130 alt 8521247130
Thermostat1632637020 alt 1603137010
Cabin air filter8713958010 alt 871390R030

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.

9.4–11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.40 sec — 2016 Two Eco Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022Prime Limited Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec10.30 sec17.70 sec121 hpFWD
2019Limited Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 0.75-kWh9.80 sec17.40 sec121 hpFWD
2019XLE AWD-e Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh9.80 sec17.30 sec121 hpAWD
2019XLE AWD-e Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.80 sec18.00 sec121 hpAWD
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid CapacityP610
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs20 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts140.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)14.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsIntake to Cylinder Head: 21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug37.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 1000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFC16HR-CY9
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerToyota
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Oil TypeND-11 or equivalent
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.98-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil Type80
Oil Capacity3.80-4.20 oz
Standard BCI Group Number140R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance295 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumStandard: 44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumStandard: 50.0 psi
Residual Pressure21.0
RPM44.0-50.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0
Engine Compression89.5
Engine Oil Pressure8.7 psi minimum @ Idle psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM21.0 psi minimum @ 2,500 RPM

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0394; Rear: 0.0394 in
Minimum Pad Thickness0.039" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1In multiple turns evenly tighten to 36.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 45°36 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°36 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°30 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) · Hybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (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 level)
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 2021 Toyota Prius sits at the absolute low point of a long-term downward trend in complaints and recalls across the model’s federal record. With only 6 total complaints and zero recalls, it is the quietest year in the entire dataset—far below the 179 complaints and 6 recalls of the 2016 model, and even below the already low 14 complaints and 0 recalls of 2020. The four complaint areas (fuel system, speed control, forward collision avoidance, and electrical/brakes) each have just one report, and there is only one crash-related complaint with no fire incidents. While later years (20222024) show a slight uptick in complaints and recalls, 2021 remains the most trouble-free year on record. This suggests that the 2021 model benefits from years of refinement and has not yet accumulated the issues seen in newer model years. **For a used Prius buyer, the 2021 model year is an excellent choice, offering the lowest reported problems and no recalls in the model’s history.**

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
116
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
1 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 6 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure1
Electrical System,Service Brakes,Engine1
Unknown Or Other,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Wheels1

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 116 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0106-22 Rev22026-01-30Electrical SystemOBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
T-SB-0001-262026-01-28Electrical SystemSome 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic…
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…

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
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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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

How much oil does the 2021 Prius take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Prius have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 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.