Dealer visit checklist
2023 Toyota Prius checklist
Print it or keep it on your phone. Tick each item as you go so nothing gets missed.
Inspect the car
- Check every panel gap and look for mismatched paint (signs of past accident repair)
- Look at the tires: even wear, matching brands, at least 4/32" tread
- Check under the car and engine bay for oil, coolant or other leaks
- Start the engine cold; listen for knocks, ticks or squeals and watch for smoke
- Test every window, lock, seat, light, the A/C, heat and infotainment
- Test drive on city streets and highway: straight braking, smooth shifts, no pulling
- Ask for the service records and a vehicle history report
- Have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection (about $100–$200)
Known 2023 Toyota Prius problems to check
- Inverter coolant pump failure is a known issue on older Prius generations and worth monitoring via Toyota service bulletins on the 2023 platform
- Some owners report wind noise from the A-pillars and door seals at highway speeds due to the new fastback roofline
- The infotainment system's 8-inch touchscreen has drawn complaints for laggy response and lack of physical volume/tuning knobs
- Regenerative braking feel can feel abrupt and inconsistent at low speeds until drivers adapt, occasionally prompting brake inspection visits
- Rear visibility is limited due to the steeply raked rear windshield, which can increase minor parking lot incidents
Ask: have these recalls been fixed?
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:SWITCHES/KNOBS/BUTTONS: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles.
- EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS: Gulf States Toyota, Inc.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:SWITCHES/KNOBS/BUTTONS: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles.
Negotiate the price
- Know the typical price: about $24,000 for this model year
- Negotiate the out-the-door price, not the monthly payment
- Get the full price with every fee listed in writing before you sign
- Bring your own loan pre-approval so the dealer has a rate to beat
- Say no to add-ons you didn't ask for (paint protection, VIN etching, nitrogen tires)
- Negotiate your trade-in separately, after the car's price is agreed
- Be ready to walk away; another listing is usually a click away