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Is a $40,000 price tag not enough to guarantee you won't be stranded on the side of the road with a shredded tire and no way home?
Imagine you are miles from home on a dark, rainy night when a jagged piece of road debris shreds your sidewall. You open the hatch of your brand-new, high-tech 2026 Toyota Prius hybrid, expecting a spare tire, only to find an empty well and a small bottle of sealant that is useless against a major tear.
Dennis Clouser on the Toyota Prius 5th Gen Club Facebook page says,
“I checked with the Toyota Parts Department about adding an actual spare tire to my 2026 Prius Nightshade Edition. I can’t believe I paid $40,000 for this car, and the dealer wants another $900 for these parts, and it doesn’t even include installation!”
Why Your New Prius Hybrid Could Leave You Stranded
With over 30 years in the automotive industry, I have seen every trend come and go. But the disappearing spare tire is one "innovation" that truly gets under my skin. When Dennis Clouser posted his frustration about his 2026 Prius Nightshade Edition, he touched a nerve with thousands of owners. We are living in an era when a $40,000 car leaves the factory with less emergency equipment than a 1990 Tercel.
The Hidden Cost of "Weight Savings
Manufacturers claim they remove spare tires to save weight and improve fuel economy. While it is true that every pound counts when chasing those elusive MPG figures, the reality is often more about the bottom line. By removing the tire, jack, and tools, Toyota saves money on production and simplifies the assembly line.
However, for the owner, this creates a massive liability. If you have a simple nail in the tread, the provided inflator kit might get you to a shop. But in my decades of testing vehicles, I have seen that real-world punctures are rarely that "clean." A sidewall blowout or a large gash cannot be fixed with "goo." Without a spare, you are looking at a mandatory tow, which can cost hundreds of dollars and hours of wasted time.
This isn't the only headache for new owners, as I noted in my report on how a 2024 Toyota Prius Prime Owner Says “Sports Car Acceleration” Can't Make Up For Winter Power Loss and a Dead 12-Volt Battery, proving that even the most advanced hybrids have their "Achilles' heel" in real-world conditions.
The $900 Retrofit:
Dennis was quoted nearly $1,000 for parts alone. If you want to perform a Toyota Prius spare tire retrofit using OEM components, here is what the dealer is looking at:
Toyota Part numbers for a real spare tire:
- 42611-21280 - Wheel, Disc
- 64997-47100 - Box, Deck Floor, LH
- 64995-47080 - Box, Deck Floor, RH
- 51931-10040 - Carrier, Spare Wheel, RH
- 64778-47090 - Protector, Spare Wheel
- 51978-47010 - Protector, Spare Wheel
- 90179-06274 - Nut( Need to buy 3)
- 09105-47020 - Jack set and tools
The most insulting part?
The car already has the "well" stamped into the metal body. The space is there, but Toyota filled it with Styrofoam instead of safety. This lack of value is becoming a recurring theme for the brand. In fact, some owners are becoming so frustrated with these small but expensive issues that they are walking away entirely.
We recently covered a story where a Buyer Wanted To Buy The 2025 or 2026 New Prius, But the 2 Salespeople Both Had Bought The 2024 Prius And Wanted To Trade Them in For the 2026 Camry Hybrid. When the people selling the cars don't want to keep them, it's a major red flag.
What Should Prius Owners Do?
My advice is simple: Do not rely on the inflator kit. If you are planning a road trip or live in an area with poor road maintenance, a spare tire is mandatory equipment.
You do not necessarily have to pay the $900 "dealer tax." You can often find "Modern Spare" kits online for half that price, or even source a wheel from a salvage yard. Just ensure the rolling diameter matches your factory tires to avoid damaging the hybrid drivetrain.
Beyond the spare tire, there are other long-term costs to consider. I have found that high-mileage drivers are seeing unexpected expenses, as detailed in my article about a 2024 Prius Owner On 2nd 12V Battery At 60K Miles, Warning that the Cost Is A Kick In The Teeth. Owning a modern Prius requires being proactive about these hidden maintenance "gotchas."
Key Takeaways for Prius Owners
- The "Goo" Kit Has Limits: It only works on small tread punctures, not sidewall damage.
- Check the Well: Most 5th Gen Prius models have space for a spare tire, but require new foam inserts to fit it properly.
- OEM vs. Aftermarket: You can save 50% by looking at aftermarket "Modern Spare" kits instead of the Toyota Parts Department.
- Safety First: A $900 investment is steep, but it is cheaper than a midnight tow and a ruined vacation.
What Prius Owners Are Saying
The sentiment online reflects Dennis' frustration. Many feel the lack of a spare is a dealbreaker for a car designed for long-range efficiency.
"I did this for my 2025 Prius, and as expensive as it was, it's been useful at least 2 times, and the peace of mind is definitely worth it! To me, the annoying thing is that you can get everything from Toyota... yet they don't make much effort to tell you what you need." u/YorkiesSweet on r/Prius
"Getting stranded in the middle of nowhere because the manufacturer couldn't be bothered to at least offer consumers the option of a compact spare is bad car design." User on Quora/Reddit Archive
Wrap It Up
The 5th Gen Toyota Prius is a stunning, efficient machine, but the omission of a spare tire is a significant oversight for a $40,000 vehicle. Whether you choose to bite the bullet on the $900 OEM kit or find a more affordable aftermarket solution, don't wait until you are stuck on the shoulder of the highway to realize that a bottle of sealant is not a substitute for a real wheel.
What Would You Do? Would you pay $900 to add a spare tire to your new Prius, or is the provided repair kit enough for your daily driving? Click the red link below to write your comment and join the community in sharing experiences.
Next Up: Think the spare tire is the only thing missing? My sister recently discovered a confusing gap in her hybrid's performance. Check out: My Sister's Toyota Prius Gets 35 Miles On a 6 Hour Charge, That's All?
With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.
Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Dennis Clouser
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