VehicleVerdict

2014 Toyota Prius V problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 118 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Prius V year — the 2014 model ranks #3 of 8 Prius V years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 41 reports (35% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

118

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Prius V years?

Prius V NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted289 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 289 complaints2013: 164 complaints2014: 118 complaints2015: 31 complaints2016: 24 complaints2017: 14 complaints2018: 3 complaints
Prius V NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prius V years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Toyota Prius V problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes4135%
Electrical System1714%
Engine1412%
Other1210%
Fuel System119%
Speed Control87%
Transmission43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Body & Structure33%
Steering22%
Airbags11%
Driver Assistance11%

Does the 2014 Toyota Prius V have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V369000Fuel SystemJune 24, 2020 · 266,638 units

Defect

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.

18V684000Fuel SystemOctober 4, 2018 · 807,329 units

Defect

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.

15V449000Fuel SystemJuly 15, 2015 · 108,624 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

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 the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

15V013000AirbagsJanuary 16, 2015 · 4,971 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota Prius V vehicles manufactured November 7, 2013, to January 7, 2015. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the passenger seat air bag system may be improperly calibrated. As a result, the passenger air bag may not deploy in a vehicle crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

If the air bag does not deploy as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will re-calibrate of the OCS system, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WE WERE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY FOR JUST OVER A HALF HOUR WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. SPEEDS BELOW 10 MILES PER HOUR. AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT, WE WERE TRAVELING BETWEEN 5-7 MPH. TRIED COMING TO A STOP WITH ABOUT 10 FEET BETWEEN OUR CAR AND A BIG RIG IN FRONT. THE BRAKES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 18, 2015 · crash

“UNKNOWN. I WAS BASICALLY DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN MY CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. THE CAR WAS AUTOMATICALLY PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE CAR, SO I HAD TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR, I STARTED SMELLING BURNED WIRE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 6, 2020 · fire

“UNKNOWN. I WAS BASICALLY DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN MY CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. THE CAR WAS AUTOMATICALLY PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE CAR, SO I HAD TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR, I STARTED SMELLING BURNED WIRE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 6, 2020 · fire

“'TAKATA RECALL ' I BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA PRIUS V THEY MAKE IT ONLY FOR FIVE YEARS, THEY STOP MAKING IT AFTER 2016 BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THERE IS SO MUCH PROBLEMS IN THE ENGINE, MANY CAR THIS MODEL THE ENGINE GET IN FIRES, HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 125,000 MILE. HYBRID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 3, 2018 · fire

“TOYOTA ISSUED SAFETY RECALLS E0E AND F0R FOR THE FAILURE OF THE HYBRID INVERTER. IF THE INVERTER HAD NOT FAILED YET, THE TOYOTA'S REMEDY IS A 'SOFTWARE RE-FLASH'. THE SOFTWARE REFLASH 'REMEDY' IS NOT SUFFICIENT. THERE HAVE BEEN AN EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF INVERTER FAILURES AFTER THE SOFTWARE RE-FLASH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 13, 2017 · fire

2014 Toyota Prius V — common questions

Is the 2014 Toyota Prius V reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 118 complaints put the 2014 model at #3 of 8 Prius V years. It is one of the Prius V years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Prius V problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (41 complaints), electrical system (17 complaints), engine (14 complaints).

Does the 2014 Toyota Prius V have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Toyota Prius V. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Prius V years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Prius V years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Prius V years belongs to 2011.

How safe is the 2014 Toyota Prius V?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Toyota Prius V earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.