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2015 Toyota Prius
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 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
320–25K
1525–50K
850–75K
675–100K
7100–150K
3150K+
71 reports with mileage · 93 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 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
29 crash reports1 fire reports12 injury reports
Structure complaints
6 reportsON FEBRUARY 28, 2018 AT 10:00 A.M. I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 W ABOUT 10 MILES OUTSIDE OF NEW ORLEANS WHEN MY CLOSED, LOCKED SUNROOF EXPLODED UPWARDS, SHATTERING COMPLETELY THE CENTER SUNROOF PANEL AND SHOWERING ME WITH GLASS. IT WAS A CLEAR SUNNY DAY, ABOUT 70 DEGREES, THE ROAD WAS CLEAR WITH NO TRAFFIC OR DEBRIS AND I WAS TRAVELIN…
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ON FEBRUARY 28, 2018 AT 10:00 A.M. I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 W ABOUT 10 MILES OUTSIDE OF NEW ORLEANS WHEN MY CLOSED, LOCKED SUNROOF EXPLODED UPWARDS, SHATTERING COMPLETELY THE CENTER SUNROOF PANEL AND SHOWERING ME WITH GLASS. IT WAS A CLEAR SUNNY DAY, ABOUT 70 DEGREES, THE ROAD WAS CLEAR WITH NO TRAFFIC OR DEBRIS AND I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH.
I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS PARALLEL PARKED. I PRESSED THE PUSH TO START BUTTON TO TURN ON THE BATTERY SO I COULD CHARGE MY PHONE. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CAR TURNED COMPLETELY ON WHEN I REACHED OVER TO PRESS THE BUTTON. NOT ONLY DID THE ENGINE START, BUT WITHOUT ANYONE PRESSING O…
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I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS PARALLEL PARKED. I PRESSED THE PUSH TO START BUTTON TO TURN ON THE BATTERY SO I COULD CHARGE MY PHONE. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CAR TURNED COMPLETELY ON WHEN I REACHED OVER TO PRESS THE BUTTON. NOT ONLY DID THE ENGINE START, BUT WITHOUT ANYONE PRESSING ON THE BREAKS THE CAR RELEASED ITSELF FROM BEING PARKED. THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS INTO THE CAR PARKED BEHIND ME. I HAVE NO EXPLANATION ABOUT HOW THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN READING INTO IT AND APPARENTLY IT'S A DEFECT OF THE 2015 AND OLDER MODELS. WHEN THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACK I ALSO STARTED PRESSING BOTH THE PARK AND PUSH TO START BUTTONS TO TURN IT OFF AGAIN. I'VE NEVER FELT SO UNSAFE IN A VEHICLE AND GOES TO CONFIRM THAT PARK AND PUSH TO START SHOULD NOT BE BUTTONS!!! IT MAKES THE VEHICLE MUCH MORE DANGEROUS NOT BEING ABLE TO OVERRIDE THOSE COMMANDS WHEN IT CHOOSES TO GO ON ITS OWN.
DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT AND THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. NO INDICATION OF A FOREIGN OBJECT HITTING THE ROOF AND MUCH OF THE GLASS FLEW OUTWARD RATHER THAN INWARD.
I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK THE CAR. I PRESSED THE POWER OFF BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE SHIFT LEVER WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE CAR DISPLAY SAID GOODBYE BUT THE CAR DROVE FORWARD. I JAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND HIT A WAGON CAUSING $1300 DAMAGE. A CHILD OR ANIMAL COULD HAVE BEEN HIT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES ON P.1…
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I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK THE CAR. I PRESSED THE POWER OFF BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE SHIFT LEVER WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE CAR DISPLAY SAID GOODBYE BUT THE CAR DROVE FORWARD. I JAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND HIT A WAGON CAUSING $1300 DAMAGE. A CHILD OR ANIMAL COULD HAVE BEEN HIT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES ON P.188 THAT IF THE HYBRID SYSTEM OF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN PARK, THE CAR WILL BE TURNED TO ACCESSORY MODE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE ANOTHER DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE ROOF COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS. THERE WERE TWO FATALITIES UPON IMPACT AND THE THIRD PASSENGER WAS AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE ANOTHER DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE ROOF COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS. THERE WERE TWO FATALITIES UPON IMPACT AND THE THIRD PASSENGER WAS AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL. THE DOCTOR DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD PASSENGER WAS BRAIN DEAD, WHICH LED TO HER DEATH DUE TO THE ROOF COLLAPSING ON HER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 9/25/15 *LN UPDATED 11/28/2017*CN
Official recalls
120V369000 · 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.
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.