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VIN REPORT

JTDKAMFU1M31371982021 TOYOTA Prius

Risk Score
0
LOW RISK
out of 100
Safety Recalls
Clear
No active recalls
NHTSA Complaints
6
Reported to NHTSA
Safety Rating
Not Tested
See iihs.org/ratings
Vehicle Age
5 yrs
Made in JAPAN
Safety Grade
B-
Score: 80/100
Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2021 TOYOTA Prius was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.

Critical Alerts
Title Brand CheckMined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle
Vehicle SpecificationsDecoded from NHTSA vPIC database
Make
TOYOTA
Model
Prius
Year
2021
Trim / Series
ZVW51L / ZVW55L
Body Style
Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Vehicle Type
PASSENGER CAR
Drive Type
4x2
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
4-cyl 1.8L 96 hp
Transmission
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Doors
5
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Assembly
JAPAN
GVWR
Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Electrification
HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) - Level Unknown
Safety
Safety IntelligenceComposite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
Overall Safety Grade
B-
Score: 80/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety30/30
Complaint History30/30
Recall Risk Score
0/100Clear

✓ No high-risk recall components found

Modern Safety Index
73/100
Comprehensive
13 of 20 safety features detected
Fire Risk Assessment
None
  • ▸Electric/hybrid vehicle — monitor for battery thermal events
Driver Assistance FeaturesADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Forward Collision Warning✓Standard
Automatic Emergency Braking✓Standard
Pedestrian AEB✓Standard
Rear AEB?Unknown
Lane Departure Warning✓Standard
Lane Keep Assist✓Standard
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot Monitoring?Unknown
Rear Cross Traffic Alert?Unknown
Adaptive Cruise Control✓Standard
Adaptive Headlights?Unknown
Auto High Beam✓Standard
Parking Assist?Unknown
Backup Camera✓Standard
Electronic Stability Control✓Standard
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Direct
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash Notification✓Standard
Dynamic Brake Support✓Standard
Keyless Ignition✓Standard
Recalls
Deferred Failure RiskComponents and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
33/100
Monitor Deferred Risk
4 component(s) approaching service intervals within the next 20,000 miles. Factor routine maintenance costs into your ownership budget.
⚠No odometer data on record. Mileage is estimated at ~60,000 mi based on average annual driving. Items marked EST. OVERDUE may already be due — verify service history with the seller. Items marked OVERDUE are confirmed past-due based on vehicle age alone.
MONITORCriticalWater Pump
Service interval: 100,000 mi · Est. ~60,000 mi (no odometer on record)
Schedule Water Pump service before 100,000 mi
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
EST. OVERDUEHighTransmission Fluid / Service
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 5 yr · Past due by age
Service Transmission Fluid / Service immediately — already past the 60,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
EST. OVERDUEHighCoolant Flush
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 5 yr · Past due by age
Service Coolant Flush immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
MONITORModerateSpark Plugs (iridium/platinum)
Service interval: 100,000 mi · Est. ~60,000 mi (no odometer on record)
Schedule Spark Plugs (iridium/platinum) service before 100,000 mi
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
0CLEAR
✓
No Recall Campaigns Found
NHTSA has no active or historical recalls for this 2021 TOYOTA.
Complaints
Complaint Intelligence6 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories
By System / Component
Other
3
Electrical
1 crash1
Engine/Powertrain
1
Suspension/Wheels
1
Complaint Trend by Year
2021
2
2023
2
2024
1
2026
1
↓ 33% trend in recent years (improving reliability)
Complaint Trend
Stable 0%
2
Last 24 months
2
Prior 24 months
Reported Failure Modes
Tire blowout1
Conditions Reported
Parking/low-speed (1)
Owner Complaints6 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
6HIGH VOLUME
1
Crash
ODI #11719876FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When i am going down it's charging when the charge reaches 6 from 8 the engine starts working and stop changing at that point and the power continues comes from engine only without the hybrid battery and there are no codes

ODI #11615271VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 - 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The contact swerved around the vehicle in front and ended up on the opposite side of the roadway. The contact attempted to avoid oncoming traffic and swerving around all the other vehicles and ended up in a ravine. The contact's husband depressed the START/STOP button from the passenger’s side to turn off the vehicle, enabling the vehicle to come to a stop. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued to drive the vehicle to the dealer at slow speeds. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the dealer. The failure mileage was 56,000.

ODI #11532235FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE

The Lane keeping assist used in radar cruise control mode during some drive cycles will attempt to maintain the vehicle position to the far extreme of the lane and in some cases actively veer out of the lane. My safety ant others can be put at risk when the vehicle behaves outside of its design parameters like this. To solve the issue the vehicle must be pulled over, turned off, then restarted. After the restart it will resume functioning normally, maintaining lane positioning as intended within the limits of the system. The trigger for this is unknown but could be speculated that it is drive cycle dependent and may start during initialization. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or service center due to its intermittent nature. There are no warning indicators or lamps on when this occurs.

ODI #11526893ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINECRASH

The car accelerated without my foot on the accelerator, brake did not respond, and I had to drive through grass and a rock-filled ditch until after about 10 seconds the car returned to my control.

ODI #11416154UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CARBON MONOXIDE SEEPS INTO THE PASSENGER CAR BUT DILLER CANNOT FIND IT AND DID NOT HAVE TOOLS TO DETECT CO LEVEL IN THE CAR. I CAN'T USE THIS CAR BECAUSE WAS POISONED MANY TIMES AND AFTER A SECOND CHECK-UP, THE LEVEL OF CO BECOMES HIGHER SO I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT POISONING. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM WORRYING TO SELL MY CAR BECAUSE OTHER DRIVER WILL GET INJURY. THIS IS THE NEW CAR ONLY 7000 MILES.

ODI #11404863WHEELS

WHILE DRIVING ON THE I 4 WE HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 200 MILES ON IT SO IT WAS BRAND NEW. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND OBJECT IN THE TIRE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE PROBLEM THE ONLY CONCLUSION I COULD COME TO IS THAT THIS TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I COULD HAVE RUN OVER A LARGE OBJECT OR A LARGE POTHOLE, WHICH I DOUBT.

Complaint & Reliability TimelineAnnual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints and reliability score for TOYOTA Prius — recall years marked in red
012050100202120222023202420252026Complaints/yrReliability (0–100)
Annual complaints (left axis)
Reliability score 0–100 (right axis, higher = safer)
Crash-involved complaints that year
Chart Analysis

The blue line shows 6 NHTSA complaints on file for the TOYOTA Prius — a relatively low volume that spans from 2021 to 2026.

The amber reliability line shows an improving trend — scores have risen from the earlier years toward 96/100 more recently, suggesting the most serious issues are older and may have been addressed through repairs or recalls.

Red dots on the amber line flag 2023, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.

Details & Analysis
Financial
5-Year Total Cost of OwnershipEstimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
$34,084
~$568/mo over 5 yrs
$0.6/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$8,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$1,500
Depreciation
$7,084

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $34,084 (~$568/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Pre-Purchase Inspection ChecklistTailored for the 2021 TOYOTA Prius — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.
Recall Probability ForecastEstimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5%
18-month
10%
2-year
Low Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 10%

5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.

Maintenance ScheduleOEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Official TOYOTA Maintenance Guide ↗Search Owner's Manual ↗

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions
Insurance Cost EstimateEstimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Full Coverage
$1,400–$1,780/yr
~$117–$148/mo
Liability Only
$510–$640/yr
~$43–$53/mo
Category: Economy/Hybrid
▼ 5-year-old vehicle: −7% (moderate depreciation)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty HistoryFederal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations

TOYOTA has been fined $1217M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Criminal settlement — concealed unintended acceleration defects for years before recall.

2014$1200MCriminal settlement — concealed unintended acceleration defects for years before recall
2012$17MFailure to promptly notify NHTSA of power window defect
State-Specific Legal ProtectionsWhat consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data TableAll decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VINJTDKAMFU1M3137198
Model Year2021
MakeTOYOTA
ModelPrius
SeriesZVW51L / ZVW55L
Vehicle TypePASSENGER CAR

Body & Configuration

Body StyleHatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Doors5
Seat Rows5
Drive Type4x2
Fuel TypeGasoline
TransmissionContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Engine

Engine Cylinders4
Displacement (L)1.8
Horsepower96

Manufacturer

ManufacturerTOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Assembly CountryJAPAN

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)JTD
Check Digit (Char 9)1
Model Year Code (Char 10)M
Plant Code (Char 11)3
Sequence (Chars 12–17)137198

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count0
NHTSA Complaint Count6
VIN Structure DecodeISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
J
1
T
2
D
3
K
4
A
5
M
6
F
7
U
8
1
9
M
10
3
11
1
12
3
13
7
14
1
15
9
16
8
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
J
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
T
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
D
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
KAMFU
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
1
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
M
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
3
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
137198
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Japan
From VIN position 1 (J)
Model Year Character
"M" → 2021
Could also be 1991
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model
Reliability Scores
Year-by-year reliability ratings
Years to Avoid
Best & worst model years ranked
Common Problems
Owner complaints & known defects
All NHTSA Recalls
Complete recall campaign history
View all TOYOTA VIN reports →← New Lookup

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/1/2026, 8:23:35 PM.