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2014 Toyota Prius problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

209owner complaints
3safety recalls
25involved a crash

Also reported: 1 fires, 15 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 209.

Service brakes95
Usually 3,000–77,000 miles (middle half of 21 reports with mileage)
Electrical system33
Usually 7,000–39,450 miles (middle half of 17 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Instrument cluster/panel (1); Wiring (1)
Unknown or other25
Usually 29,812–160,123 miles (middle half of 10 reports with mileage)
Engine17
Usually 36,292–95,246 miles (middle half of 7 reports with mileage)
Air bags14
Usually 2,825–73,750 miles (middle half of 10 reports with mileage)
Vehicle speed control14
Usually 3,000–56,700 miles (middle half of 11 reports with mileage)
Structure9
Usually 15,750–57,562 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Body (7)
Visibility/wiper9
Usually 311–26,350 miles (middle half of 8 reports with mileage)
Electronic stability control (ESC)8
Usually 30,159–157,464 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)
Service brakes, hydraulic8
Usually 107,929–158,155 miles (middle half of 8 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Foundation components › master cylinder (1)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Service brakes

21 reports with mileage · median 21,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Electrical system

17 reports with mileage · median 19,483 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Unknown or other

10 reports with mileage · median 51,550 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (3)

Recalls that cover the 2014 Toyota Prius. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Hybrid propulsion system › inverter

Campaign 20V369000 · 2020-06-24 · 266,638 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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: 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.

Hybrid propulsion system

Campaign 18V684000 · 2018-10-04 · 807,329 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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: 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.

Electrical system › software; hybrid propulsion system › inverter

Campaign 14V053000 · 2014-02-12 · 698,457 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Questions to ask the seller

When were the brakes last serviced? On the test drive, check for pulsing, grinding, a soft pedal, or ABS warnings.

95 owner complaints mention the brakes, half of the reports with mileage are between 3,000 and 77,000 miles.

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

33 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 7,000 and 39,450 miles.

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

17 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 36,292 and 95,246 miles.

Has the airbag warning light ever stayed on? Was any airbag replaced after a crash?

14 owner complaints mention the air bags, half of the reports with mileage are between 2,825 and 73,750 miles.

Any unexpected acceleration, surging, or cruise control problems? Test cruise control on the highway.

14 owner complaints mention the throttle or cruise control, half of the reports with mileage are between 3,000 and 56,700 miles.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Toyota Prius years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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