IllustrationPassenger airbag indicator on/off light was on despite having passenger over the airbag activation weight requirement being present with seatbelt buckled. Brought car to Toyota dealership and after running diagnostics for two hours they found that the airbag itself is faulty.
2014 Toyota Prius
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2014 Toyota Prius do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 164.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Prius years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
470–25K
1525–50K
1150–75K
875–100K
12100–150K
6150K+
99 reports with mileage · 108 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports1 fire reports12 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
14 reportsMy 2014 Toyota Prius was in a T-bone accident, directly on the driver door and the side air bags did not deploy.
Airbags did not deploy when I got into an accident on I-91. The car has been totaled and is in Allstate's possession, and I believe it is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because the airbags didn't deploy in a head-on collision with multiple objects (reflector pole, trees). The vehicle is in the process of b…
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Airbags did not deploy when I got into an accident on I-91. The car has been totaled and is in Allstate's possession, and I believe it is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because the airbags didn't deploy in a head-on collision with multiple objects (reflector pole, trees). The vehicle is in the process of being inspected by Allstate insurance representatives. There were no warning messages or symptoms prior to this incident.
TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, CHANGED LANES TO AVOID IN ACCIDENT, CAR BEHIND ME CHANGED LANES TOO. CAR BEHIND FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND SMASHED TRUNK AND PUSHED ME INTO A STEEL GUARD RAIL. SIDE, FRONT, AND KNEE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS DID NOT ENGAGE. NOR DID HEAD RESTRAINTS.
HEAD ON COLLISION HITTING A TREE, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, VEHICLE TOTALED DRIVER IN THE HOSPITAL. ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 IN TALLAHASSEE, FL
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS EASTBOUND ON BROADWAY RD., APPROACHING SOSSAMAN RD., IN MESA, AZ, ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 13, 2019 AT ABOUT 10:00 AM. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. SHE WAS ALONE IN THE VEHICLE, WEARING HER SEAT BELT, TRAVELING AT 20 MPH IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, WANTING TO TURN SOUTHBOUND ON SOSSAMA…
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS EASTBOUND ON BROADWAY RD., APPROACHING SOSSAMAN RD., IN MESA, AZ, ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 13, 2019 AT ABOUT 10:00 AM. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. SHE WAS ALONE IN THE VEHICLE, WEARING HER SEAT BELT, TRAVELING AT 20 MPH IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, WANTING TO TURN SOUTHBOUND ON SOSSAMAN RD., SOME 200 YARDS FURTHER EAST. CONSTRUCTION CREWS HAD REMOVED A PORTION OF THE ROADWAY, CREATING A DITCH, ABOUT 8 FEET LONG IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, ABOUT 10 TO 12 INCHES DEEP AND ABOUT TWO LANES WIDE. AFTER PASSING A CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE, SHE BEGAN HER TURN TO THE RIGHT AND RAN INTO THE DITCH. THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE PRIUS DROPPED INTO THE DITCH AND PROCEEDED ACROSS THE OPENING SOME 8 FEET, AT A SLIGHT ANGLE, AND IMPACTED THE CONCRETE ROADWAY ON THE OTHER SIDE, CAUSING A SUDDEN AND VIOLENT DECELERATION. DUE TO THE RELATIVELY SHALLOW DITCH, AND THE LOW GROUND CLEARANCE OF THE PRIUS, THE CAR RODE UP ON THE CONCRETE AND THE BRUNT OF THE IMPACT WAS ABSORBED BY THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THERE WAS SOME FASCIA AND BUMPER DAMAGE. THE WHEELS DID NOT IMPACT THE CONCRETE BARRIER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I FILED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA, AND THEY AGREED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE'S EVENT DATA RECORDER DOWNLOADED. ANALYSIS OF THE EVENT DATA RECORDER INFORMATION, PROVIDED BY TOYOTA, SHOWS A TOTAL TIME OF 123 MILLISECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO REACH A COMPLETE STOP FROM THE POINT OF INITIAL IMPACT, WITH A MAXIMUM LONGITUDINAL DECELERATION OF -14G'S (MY CALCULATION.) MY WIFE SUFFERED SEVERE NECK INJURIES. TOYOTA SENT ME A LETTER SAYING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OPERATED AS DESIGNED AND WAS NOT AT FAULT (MY SUMMARY.) I DON'T SEE HOW THAT CAN BE, DUE TO THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF MY WIFE'S INJURIES. OR, TOYOTA'S DESIGN CRITERIA ARE AT FAULT AND DID NOT ANTICIPATE THIS TYPE OF COLLISION.
MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED PRIOR TO IMPACT AT A SPEED OF LESS THAN 25 MPH. I APPLIED THE BRAKES VERY FORCEFULLY AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED PRIOR TO IMPACT. I HAD LITTLE FRONT END DAMAGE AND EVERY SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROWN TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 255 W PERSHING RD, DECATUR, IL 62526, (217) 615-1049) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROWN TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 255 W PERSHING RD, DECATUR, IL 62526, (217) 615-1049) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,127.
SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYED ON, SWERVE LIGHT OCCASIONALLY. PROVED TO BE RODENT DAMAGE ON WIRE INSTRUMENTS AND BLOWER, PANEL INSTRUMENT, ANTENNA ASSEMBLIES REACHING $3,900. VEHICLE PARKED OUTSIDE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ON PUBLIC STREET IN COLD RAINY WEATHER. VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE…
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SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYED ON, SWERVE LIGHT OCCASIONALLY. PROVED TO BE RODENT DAMAGE ON WIRE INSTRUMENTS AND BLOWER, PANEL INSTRUMENT, ANTENNA ASSEMBLIES REACHING $3,900. VEHICLE PARKED OUTSIDE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ON PUBLIC STREET IN COLD RAINY WEATHER. VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES WHILE LIVING HERE OVER 20 YEARS. COULD SOY BASED ENCASING AROUND WIRING CONTRIBUTE TO THIS? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A BUILDING AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHES…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A BUILDING AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,700. UPDATED 01/20/16*LJ *CN
Official recalls
320V369000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
Jun 24, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults related to this condition, the inverter assembly will be repaired or replaced, prior to software update. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB10 / 20TA10.
18V684000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
Oct 4, 2018
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.
14V053000 · Electrical System:software; Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
Feb 12, 2014
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.
Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Electrical System:software
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.
Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3DP23005 · Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Opened Nov 22, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.
DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion 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.
DP19004 · Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Opened Sep 30, 2019 · Closed Jan 21, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
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.