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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Service Brakes complaints

93 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2023
Service Brakes

the brakes have not failed yet, but there is a known issue with the brake booster on my model year. I would like to have the government force Toyota to guarantee the brakes for a longer period of time. currently Toyota has extended the warranty out 10 years / 150k miles from date of first use. Since these cars last so long, this…

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the brakes have not failed yet, but there is a known issue with the brake booster on my model year. I would like to have the government force Toyota to guarantee the brakes for a longer period of time. currently Toyota has extended the warranty out 10 years / 150k miles from date of first use. Since these cars last so long, this should be 20 years / 300k miles from date of first use.

NHTSA ODI #11561632

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2023
Service Brakes

The ABS and traction control system in my 2014 Toyota Prius 4 are not functioning. They ABS light an the traction control lights are both on. I work in the automotive industry and I used a code reader to pull the codes and got a C1391 which is a brake booster and brake booster pump. That means either the brake booster has fai…

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The ABS and traction control system in my 2014 Toyota Prius 4 are not functioning. They ABS light an the traction control lights are both on. I work in the automotive industry and I used a code reader to pull the codes and got a C1391 which is a brake booster and brake booster pump. That means either the brake booster has failed or the master cylinder is leaking. I contacted Gosche Toyota in Hemet and after waiting for a service writer to contact me (which they never did) I called 5 times till I finally got someone on the phone. They were very familiar with the problem. The problem is so common that SOME vehicles have been recalled. But for others like mine only a "Customer Support Program" was made. That program covers repair "if the parts are available" only for 10 years or 150,000 miles whichever comes first. But for someone like myself who has 170,000 miles Toyota says there's nothing they can do. The cost for me to repair it is $4800. The customer support program bulletin "ZJB" even says that service writers are not allowed to tell customers about the problem or the customer support program. That way when the car doesn't meet the requirements, they won't be responsible for the repairs, even though they know it will eventually fail. There is a lawsuit somewhere regarding this very same problem but for me, I'm screwed. I depend on my car to make money and now me and my family are out of a car. This is a known defect and a safety concern. Toyota is okay with leaving us with nothing.

NHTSA ODI #11561032

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2023
Electrical SystemService Brakes

BRAKES ARE NOT WOKING AT FULL SPECIFICATION DUE TO BRAKE ACCUMILATOR HAVING AN INTERNAL LEAK C1391

NHTSA ODI #11548807

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2023
Service Brakes

After I started my car and began driving away from a shopping center, I noticed that there were 3 static warning lights on the dashboard that had not been there before. They were the slip indicator light, the brake light, and the ABS light. I also heard a short, repeating buzzing sound coming from the front of the car that I h…

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After I started my car and began driving away from a shopping center, I noticed that there were 3 static warning lights on the dashboard that had not been there before. They were the slip indicator light, the brake light, and the ABS light. I also heard a short, repeating buzzing sound coming from the front of the car that I had never heard before. As I was driving, the brake suddenly felt loose. Luckily, this happened as I was pulling out of a shopping center parking lot, so I was able to pull over to the side of the road instead of getting on the highway, which I was about to do. The following day, a Toyota dealer indicated that the issue was the brake booster pump/actuator system and that my car returned with error code C1391. The dealer indicated that this is a known problem with Priuses within my year range. I was told that I would have to replace both the pump and actuator. After talking to the dealer, I realized that there had been subtle clues of this problem beforehand. In the few months leading up to this incident, sometimes if I hit a big bump in the road, for a moment the Slip indicator light would flash and I would feel like I had no control of the car i.e. I was ever so briefly slipping. However, because this happened so briefly and when I hit a bump and everything went back to normal, I didn't think this was an actual problem, but now I believe this was an early sign of the brake failure. I contacted Toyota Corporate Office. They confirmed that this was an issue known to them with Priuses and said that they had sent letters to the previous owner of the car in 2019 offering an extended warranty not a recall. However, apparently, the previous owner had not fixed the problem and the extended warranty expired. Toyota refused to pay for the repair for this and refused to forward a copy of the 2019 letter to me,. This brake defect is a serious issue with no major warning signs. As of this writing, the part is available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI #11546997

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2023
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

Good Evening, I'm writing to request a callback in regards to my 2014 Toyota Prius which is subject to a recall. "The involved vehicles were designed to enter a failsafe driving mode in response to certain hybrid system faults. Toyota has found that in rare situations, the vehicle may not enter a failsafe driving mode as intend…

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Good Evening, I'm writing to request a callback in regards to my 2014 Toyota Prius which is subject to a recall. "The involved vehicles were designed to enter a failsafe driving mode in response to certain hybrid system faults. Toyota has found that in rare situations, the vehicle may not enter a failsafe driving mode as intended. If this occurs, the vehicle could lose power and stall. While power steering and braking would remain operational, a vehicle stall while driving at higher speeds could increase the risk of a crash." I recently just moved back to South Florida, I was living in NJ for a few years and had the Inverter malfunction earlier this February, 2023, forcing the car to enter the fail safe mode described giving me the warning to "Check Hybrid System, Stop the Vehicle in a Safe Place". The car was at Toyota Universe, Little Falls, NJ for about 45 days, since this was going to take the complete replacing of the inverter and an update of some sort of software. After receiving the car back around March 17th, I moved back to Florida about 2 weeks later. This evening around 5:30 returning from work, the car stalled again while I was driving surrounded by dense traffic, wouldn't accelerate with all lights flashing. Thankfully I was able to pull over slowly into a parking lot after which my steering wheel locked, and my car was no longer able to be put into Drive or Reverse. Car was only able to shift into Neutral and Park. This was the most terrifying experience of my life had something worse happen in the middle of traffic. I have dropped off my car to the dealership parking lot and will be checking it in first thing in the morning. I'd like to ascertain what I should expect from Toyota Manufacturing should this issue be unfixable? I am more than happy to let them attempt fixing it, but I also need to live a normal life and don't feel the need to be responsible for a manufacturing defect putting my life in jeopardy every time I go drive.

NHTSA ODI #11520152

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2023
Service Brakes

Was at Toyota dealership looking at 2023 Prius and 2023 Corolla Cross for daughter. I decided to leave and when I started backing up, my daughter noticed the Brake, ABS and Anti-Skid lights all came on at once. She asked if that was normal. It was not. A few minutes later, they stated flashing, then went out after I turned t…

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Was at Toyota dealership looking at 2023 Prius and 2023 Corolla Cross for daughter. I decided to leave and when I started backing up, my daughter noticed the Brake, ABS and Anti-Skid lights all came on at once. She asked if that was normal. It was not. A few minutes later, they stated flashing, then went out after I turned the car off. I live over an hour away and decided to drive it to Walmart, which is approximately 2 miles from the dealership and upon getting into the Walmart parking lot the lights started flashing again and upon applying the brakes, we heard a loud grinding sound. We didn’t think we were going to be able to stop! I immediately parked it and called my husband to tell him our horror story and to come pick us up. Our prayers were answered when he came and we were able to drive it slowly to the dealer. It was a cold rainy night to be on the road with braking issues. This is a very dangerous if not deadly situation! Shame on Toyota for not recalling this. How many lives have to be lost before you take ownership of your faulty hybrid braking system. We demand this be fixed for free regardless of mileage and be made a recall…NOT A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. RIDICULOUS!!! I don’t think our daughter wants a Toyota hybrid anymore…

NHTSA ODI #11516069

100,000 miles · Mar 14, 2023
Service BrakesStructureCrash

I 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.

NHTSA ODI #11511726

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2023
Service Brakes

2014 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HISSING SOUND COMING FROM BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #11500989

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2022
Service Brakes

My brakes completely stopped working while driving on a busy road. I took it to Toyota and they said it was my brake booster pump assembly. There is a known issue with the booster pump assembly and Toyota has a program to extend their warranty to fix this, but I was never once notified of this issue and never received any mail o…

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My brakes completely stopped working while driving on a busy road. I took it to Toyota and they said it was my brake booster pump assembly. There is a known issue with the booster pump assembly and Toyota has a program to extend their warranty to fix this, but I was never once notified of this issue and never received any mail or notifications. They refuse to cover the repair because my mileage is out of warranty, despite the fact that this is an issue they caused and I almost wrecked and could’ve died. I was on a very busy road and my car was completely uncontrollable due to the brakes not responding. My passenger, others on the road, and myself could’ve died. The Toyota customer service representatives confirmed that this is part of the “customer service” program and it does not qualify due to it exceeding 150,000 miles. No warnings appeared on the dash until the brakes stopped working. The vehicle was inspected by Toyota and was confirmed to have said issue. This needs to be immediately recalled, I almost got into a very serious wreck.

NHTSA ODI #11495471

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2022
Service Brakes

Aloha! I got 3 lights lid up on a dashboard: traction control, abs and brakes. C1391 error is coming up on obd reader. I researched online and found that it’s a common issue , brake booster and actuator needs to be replaced. Many people having same problem. I found your website because of this YouTube video where many peopl…

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Aloha! I got 3 lights lid up on a dashboard: traction control, abs and brakes. C1391 error is coming up on obd reader. I researched online and found that it’s a common issue , brake booster and actuator needs to be replaced. Many people having same problem. I found your website because of this YouTube video where many people found same problem: https://youtu.be/xA9jyrbZDWo

NHTSA ODI #11463760

Official recalls

3

20V369000 · 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

3

DP23005 · 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.