IllustrationI was in stop and go traffic. We got into a crash and my vehicle was totalled. I’ve never been in an accident before. It felt like the break system just broke down.
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
Structure complaints
9 reportsBlizzard Pearl White paint started peeling off the car's body around the top areas of the 4 side doors (passenger & driver sides). There seems to be an active recall on this from Toyota for the same paint color and type, but the Prius model is not included in the active recall for this same condition. It has become a hazard suc…
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Blizzard Pearl White paint started peeling off the car's body around the top areas of the 4 side doors (passenger & driver sides). There seems to be an active recall on this from Toyota for the same paint color and type, but the Prius model is not included in the active recall for this same condition. It has become a hazard such that such paint chips can be ingested by children. I took it to the Santa Monica, CA Toyota dealership and it was verified by the dealership representative there that this was a condition caused by a defect in the original paint with exposure to sunlight.
WHILE BEING DETAILED, PUDDLE LIGHT WAS SEEN SMOKING ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. IT MELTED THE BODY OF DOOR AND HAD TO BE REMOVED. I ALSO HAVE VIDEO OF IT SMOKING AND MELTING DOOR.
THE BLIZZARD PEARL PAINT BEGAN SPLITTING AND FLAKING OFF MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOS. THE LOCATION ON BOTH DOORS IS THE AREA RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOWS. THIS STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND NOW LARGE CHUNKS ARE COMING OFF DESPITE HAVING USED A 3 PAINT TOUCH UP PROCESS. NOW THE PATTERN IS REPEATING ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE.
ON A WINTER DAY MY CAR SLID DOWN A STEEP ROAD AND WOULD NOT STOP WHILE BREAKING, BOTH FRONT FENDER FLARES BROKE OFF CAUSING THE CAR TO ACT LIKE IT WAS ON A SLED. THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER I PLACED IT IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SLID AGAIN AND THEN IT FINALLY STOPPED. I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF.
WHILE PARKED, THE STRUTS THAT HOLD OPEN THE REAR LIFT HATCH FAILED SUDDENLY, CAUSING THE HATCH TO FALL ON THE HEAD OF PERSON LOADING THE CAR. THE HATCH WAS CAUGHT BY A SECOND PERSON, PREVENTING SERIOUS INJURY. ON INSPECTION, THE STRUTS WERE LEAKING OIL.
OTHER CAR DRIVER JUMP RED LIGHT AND T-ZONE HIT MY CAR FROM FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ,EVERYTHING FROM PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKEN AND WHOLE INTERIOR WAS BROKEN TILL DRIVER SEAT. LATER ON THE CAR WAS DECLARED TOTAL LOSS. IN THIS BIG CRASH ALSO NONE OF THE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED TO SUPPORT DRIVER.......UPDATED 12/10/15 *BF *CN
MUSTY SMELL IN VEHICLE, SICK W/ RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING DISTRESS AFTER USING AIR CONDITIONING OR HEATING SYSTEM OR DEFROSTERS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO DEALER FOR 5000 MILE SERVICE AND MANAGER TOLD ME THE "THERE IS MOLD INSIDE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING AND ALL VENTED AIR SYSTEM. THIS IS THE WAY THE NEW DESIGN IS, THE AI…
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MUSTY SMELL IN VEHICLE, SICK W/ RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING DISTRESS AFTER USING AIR CONDITIONING OR HEATING SYSTEM OR DEFROSTERS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO DEALER FOR 5000 MILE SERVICE AND MANAGER TOLD ME THE "THERE IS MOLD INSIDE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING AND ALL VENTED AIR SYSTEM. THIS IS THE WAY THE NEW DESIGN IS, THE AIR SYSTEM IS CLOSED OFF AND THE MOISTURE LAYS IN THERE GROWING MOLD." HE SAID "YOU HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE, OR HAVE IT CLEANED EVERY WEEK TO KEEP THE SMELL OUT." HE SAID " THAT IS A CHARGE NOT COVERED BY YOUR LEASE, I'LL TAKE THE DASH OFF AND PUT A NEW FILTER AND FLUSH THE AIR HANDLING SYSTEM OUT FOR YOU, THIS TIME. IT USUALLY COST OVER $250.DOLLARS. YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF BY SPRAYING A WHOLE CAN OF LYSOL BEHIND THE CABIN FILTER EVERY WEEK". MOLD IS KNOWN TO BE DEADLY AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ALLOWED DESIGN. I HAVE SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NOW REFERRED TO A PULMONOLOGIST FOR SPECIAL TEST. I DEFINITELY WOULD NOT HAVE OBTAINED THIS CAR IF THE DEALER HAD DISCLOSED THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. BAD. *TR
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS IN JUNE 2014, I STARTED NOTICING A MOLDY SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE HOTTER OUTSIDE IT GOT, THE WORSE THE SMELL INSIDE GOT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS AN "ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE" AND CAN HAPP…
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS IN JUNE 2014, I STARTED NOTICING A MOLDY SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE HOTTER OUTSIDE IT GOT, THE WORSE THE SMELL INSIDE GOT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS AN "ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE" AND CAN HAPPEN IN NEW CARS AND IS THEREFORE NOT WARRANTIED. THE SERVICE MANAGER INSTALLED A CHARCOAL AIR FILTER IN THE CABIN AIR FILTER AND SAID THAT IT WOULD HELP ELIMINATE THE ODOR. IT DID NOT. IN FACT, THE CHARCOAL AIR FILTER REDUCED THE AIR FLOW INTO THE CABIN WHICH CAUSED THE AC TO NOT COOL. I HAD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACE THE CHARCOAL WITH AN ORIGINAL AIR FILTER IN SEPTEMBER AFTER COMPLAINING THAT THE AC WASN'T COOL. THE SMELL IN THE AC PERSISTS. IT'S NOT JUST A BIT WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON. NO MATTER WHAT SETTING I PUT THE AC ON, IT DOES NOT HELP (FRESH AIR OR RECIRC). WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN IT IS REALLY HUMID OUTSIDE, THE CAR SMELLS LIKE A SWAMP (EVEN BEFORE IT IS TURNED ON). THERE IS ALSO HUMIDITY INSIDE THE CAR WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. I'VE ASKED MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THE EVAPORATOR REPLACED BECAUSE I FEAR THAT IT IS NOT DRAINING AND CAUSING MOLD AND MILDEW TO FORM. BREATHING IN THE MOLD IS A SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERN AND TOYOTA WILL NOT AGREE TO ANY KIND OF FIX. I'M ALSO HAVING OTHER VARIOUS HVAC PROBLEMS SUCH AS CONTINUOUSLY FOGGING WINDOWS AND A DRAFT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE CAR DOES NOT HOLD HEAT AND IS VERY COLD DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. *TR
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.