Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 13 safety complaints
about the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-IN Hybrid with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering the hybrid propulsion system.
The most complained-about system is the brakes,
named in 5 complaints, 38% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 70,068 miles,
the median across the 7
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers December 2016 to December 2024 · How this is counted
What is on file
13 complaints on file
13
Complaints
3
Describe a crash
0
Mention fire
0
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
SERVICE BRAKES 5 · 38%
5 38%
ENGINE 3 · 23%
3 23%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 · 23%
3 23%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 · 15%
2 15%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2 · 15%
2 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 · 15%
2 15%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 8%
1 8%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 · 8%
1 8%
SEAT BELTS 1 · 8%
1 8%
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM 1 · 8%
1 8%
048
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 13.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2024 at 4.
8 6 4 2
162016172017182018192019202020212021232023242024
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2016 to 2024.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2014 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
5 HB FWD
Overall
Not rated
Frontal crash
Not rated
Frontal, driver
Not rated
Frontal, passenger
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side barrier
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover
12.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
1 on file
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
17V718000 · November 15, 2017
The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.
The risk
The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EV fuse, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0R.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 39,915 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
2 on file
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.
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
DP19004
Closed defect petition · opened September 30, 2019 · closed January 21, 2021
the hydraulic brakes
On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s). In support of his request, the petitioner identified 117 NHTSA complaints allegedly related to the subject CSP condition, including 60 reporting crashes. On September 30, 2019, ODI opened Defect Petition DP19-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request for an investigation. In August 2020, the petitioner notified the Agency that he was withdrawing his petition. Because the petitioner has withdrawn the petition, we are denying the petition as moot and no further analysis of this petition is necessary.NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Because the petitioner has with withdrawn the petition, the petition is denied as moot. This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency notes that it is not required to receive a defect petition prior to opening a defect investigation and will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
SERVICE BRAKES
crash · towed · 110,083 miles
The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Prius PHV. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph when the vehicle would not brake while the pedal was depressed, which resulted in the contact crashing into a vehicle in front of it. No one was injured and a police report was filed. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a lot and then towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed as being totaled. The contact does not know which dealership the vehicle was towed to. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,083.
NHTSA complaint 11435456. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
crash · 70,068 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,068. *BF *JS
NHTSA complaint 11255948. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
crash · 229,922 miles
Got rear end on 08.21.2023. Was able to drive car to work next day. Once I got home the ABS, traction control, and brake light went on. Using OBD2 scanner. Code 16-17 Right--Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Electrical Noise or Intermittent interruption, Code 16-17 Left-Right Wheel Speed Sensor Malfunction, 61-01 Modulator-Control Unit Initial IG Low Voltage, 65-33 Brake Fluid Level Switch Stuck On, 83-19 ECM/PCM Relation Failure, CT1203 ECM/EV Communication Circuit, C1345 Linear Solenoid Value Offset Learning Undone, C1392 Zero Point Calibration of Stroke Sensor Undone. Tow car to Toyota and they recommend to replace brake booster with Master Cylinder Assembly. Ran me $2968.41 bill which adjuster …
NHTSA complaint 11544196, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In-Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be depressed abnormally hard to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint 11631073. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WENT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND GOT THE SAME ISSUE CONFIRMED. IT IS A BOOSTER BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUE. I CALLED CONSUMER ADVOCATES AND THEY SAID THE NOTICE WENT OUT IN 2019 AND SINCE THEN EXPIRED. THEREFORE DEALERSHIP IS NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. I RECEIVED NO SUCH NOTICE. WHEN I CONTENDED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE HANDLED AND MY CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN 10 YEARS THEY REFUSED. FROM MY RESEARCH I SEE THAT IT IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH THE BREAK BOOSTER AND DEFFINATELY WARRANTS A RECALL. I AM DISABLED AND HAVE MANY MEDICAL ISSUES I NEED MONEY FOR AND CAN NOT AFFORD $3000 MANUFACTURING FAULT DEFECT IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint 11625528. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
Complete failure of ABS system. Error code C1391. This is a well-known problem with Gen 2 and 3 Priuses.
NHTSA complaint 11604167. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
167,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal was very stiff. The contact stated that the ABS, brake lights, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake power booster and brake power gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
NHTSA complaint 11602995. 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. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed November 15, 2017.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
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