Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
32
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Owners of the 2014 Toyota Prius C have filed 32
safety complaints with NHTSA
between November 2016 and March 2026.
The most complained-about system is the brakes,
named in 8 of them
(25%). The typical failure was reported at 60,885 miles, the median
across the 16 complaints that gave an
odometer reading.
No recall campaign was matched to this year, make and model. That is not
the same as a clean vehicle: recalls are issued against production
ranges, and the only reliable check is your own VIN.
Defect investigations (1)
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005
Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
the electrical system
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
What owners report
Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add
up to more than 32.
SERVICE BRAKES 8 25%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 25%
ENGINE 7 22%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 19%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 13%
AIR BAGS 3 9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 9%
STEERING 3 9%
WHEELS 3 9%
POWER TRAIN 2 6%
STRUCTURE 2 6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 3%
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2018 at 7.
2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year
In owners' own words
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 50,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH FROM A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE T-BONED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER FAILED TO STOP FOR THE RED LIGHT WHICH CAUSED THE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK AND BACK INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA complaint 10946989. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 40,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SIDE AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT NEITHER STOPPED THE DRIVER FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACIAL LACERATIONS, CONTUSIONS TO THE LEFT ARM, SHOULDER, AND HIP, AND SEVERE HEADACHES THE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …
NHTSA complaint 11114182, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
1 injured · crash · 58,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO I HAD THREE PASSENGER WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WHEN I WAS GOING UP TO THE HILL THE CAR POWER STARTS GETTING WEAKER AND I WAS HEARING THAT CARES IN THE CAR I DON'T WANT TO GO UP THE HILL NOW I'M LIKE IT'S KEEPS GOING WEAKER AND WEAKER AND WEAKER AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACK ON ME I THINK THE CANNOT TAKE MORE THAN FOUR PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND I THINK YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE SCORE IN SAN FRANCISCO AND THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AND THE FIRST TIME I HAD AN ACCIDENT AT THE CORNER BEHIND ME BECAUSE THE CAR COULDN'T GO UP THE HILL AND IT'S NOT EVEN BIG HILL IS A SMALL HILL IT'S ALL OVER SAN FRANCISCO THOSE HILLS.
NHTSA complaint 10970913. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE
1 injured · crash · 30,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR ABOVE, WHEN A LARGE VEHICLE PASSED, IT WOULD PULL THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO ITS PATHWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. ON MAY 15, 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH AN 18-WHEELER. THE CONTACT BELIEVED HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED PAINS AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION A MONTH LATER. A POLICE …
NHTSA complaint 11208117, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake actuator assembly known issue in Prius C, Toyota refuses to do anything about it. Part is not cheap.
NHTSA complaint 11724852. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
While driving, suddenly all brake lights and warning lights went on, and brakes stopped working normally. It became difficult to brake (brake took a while to engage - had to press pedal to the floor). After diagnostics at the dealership it looks like the brake booster failed. Apparently Toyota knew about this issue as they did an extended warranty through a Customer Support Program, but unfortunately my issue occurred just past the expiration of that warranty. Since brakes are such a critical component of vehicle safety, if they don't operate well or as expected, it endangers the driver and everyone else on the road. It is wild that Toyota is aware of this issue but that there has been no …
NHTSA complaint 11700832, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
I was told that my Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assembly needed replaced. I had specifically asked my dealership in the past if there were any issues with my car and was told that there was nothing, which was untrue. I called Toyota and was told that I was mailed something back in 2018, but I do not remember receiving it. Now I am told that this has expired. I wanted to know if I had any recourse or extension time on this program 21 TE01. I am afraid that my brakes will not work, as the lights go off and on. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11679204. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
Cruise Control Not Working. Traction Control Light Active, Brake Light Active, And Light Active The cause was diagnosed by Toyota of Paris. TSB for C1391 Code abnormal leak in accumulator. The corrective action is to replace brake booster assembly with Master cylinder and Brake Booster pump Assembly.
NHTSA complaint 11673351. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We were driving on a city street about 25-30mph and the car jerked suddenly and the lights on the dashboard illuminated and the "Check Hybrid System" message came up as well. The car was able to coast to a nearby parking lot. We attempted to drive the car home and the car stalled in the middle of the street. We were able to push the car off the road and then get it towed. The presented a potentially very dangerous situation as the car had a complete failure while driving in the middle of the road. The Toyota service department ran a diagnosis which returned DTC P0A94. All of this indicates that the car should be covered under the CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE PROGRAM 23TE03 however that program seems …
NHTSA complaint 11667479, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
2014 Toyota Prius C with 220k miles. Four warning lights came on while driving. Brakes became not responsive unless you press down very hard. Regenerative braking, went away. The Brake pump can be audibly heard turning on every few seconds.
NHTSA complaint 11665317. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon
law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back.
What each state asks for
, read from the statutes.
Where these numbers come from
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file
, published August 20, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API
, most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file
, published 2026-08-19.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst