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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Power Train complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainService BrakesCrashInjury

My mom was involved in an accident in her 2015 Toyota Prius on April 19, 2022, which she advised lurched forward at a stop and when applying the brakes to stop the vehicle, she said was unresponsive, causing her to clip a vehicle and sending her vehicle into a ditch totaling her car and injuring her passenger and her. I would …

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My mom was involved in an accident in her 2015 Toyota Prius on April 19, 2022, which she advised lurched forward at a stop and when applying the brakes to stop the vehicle, she said was unresponsive, causing her to clip a vehicle and sending her vehicle into a ditch totaling her car and injuring her passenger and her. I would like to have this investigated and hold Toyota responsible. This could have been much worse and lives could have been lost. She is now without means of transportation, and she is now possibly responsible for damages to property and bodily injury because of this. Through my research I have discovered multiple class action lawsuits brought against Toyota for the same exact models. I asked the police officer to run a scan on the computer, but he advised it was only for serious accidents. There was no indication of the problem or messages.

NHTSA ODI #11462365

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

When I looked up my car on Kelly Blue Book for pricing, it said that it has been recalled as of 2020. I was not aware of this at all and could have got into a serious accident. I recently purchased a 2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid in February and not even my saleswoman told me that it has been recalled. It has a sleuth of issues that …

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When I looked up my car on Kelly Blue Book for pricing, it said that it has been recalled as of 2020. I was not aware of this at all and could have got into a serious accident. I recently purchased a 2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid in February and not even my saleswoman told me that it has been recalled. It has a sleuth of issues that came with it.

NHTSA ODI #11418762

17,870 miles · Jul 23, 2020
Power Train

STARTED HEARING GRINDING AND SCREECHING NOISES FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AFTER A 125 MILE DRIVE TO SAN FRANCISCO. THE FOLLOWING DAY VEHICAL STARTED BUT GRINDING NOISE PERSISTED WHILE VEHICAL WAS PARKED IDLING.DORVE TO THE STOE AND ON THE WAY BACK HOME THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN BACK ON SO I PUS…

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STARTED HEARING GRINDING AND SCREECHING NOISES FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AFTER A 125 MILE DRIVE TO SAN FRANCISCO. THE FOLLOWING DAY VEHICAL STARTED BUT GRINDING NOISE PERSISTED WHILE VEHICAL WAS PARKED IDLING.DORVE TO THE STOE AND ON THE WAY BACK HOME THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN BACK ON SO I PUSHED IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. ERROR MESSAGE ON DASH MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT AN ERROR WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11341126

100,500 miles · Jul 7, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

105K MILAGE. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 45MPH AND CAR SUDDENLY JERK AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 10/15MPH. LOST ELECTRIC POWER, ABLE TO ONLY CONTINUE DRIVING ON GAS 10/15MPH. TOYOTA HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING WHICH THEY INDICATE WAS NOT UNDER WARRENTLY WHICH COST $2642. TRANSISTER KIT, POWE PLUE KIT, INVERTER D GREASE SUP…

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105K MILAGE. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 45MPH AND CAR SUDDENLY JERK AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 10/15MPH. LOST ELECTRIC POWER, ABLE TO ONLY CONTINUE DRIVING ON GAS 10/15MPH. TOYOTA HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING WHICH THEY INDICATE WAS NOT UNDER WARRENTLY WHICH COST $2642. TRANSISTER KIT, POWE PLUE KIT, INVERTER D GREASE SUPER LONG LIFE COOL GASKET

NHTSA ODI #11337953

38,000 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Power TrainCrash

THE PRIUS WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOUSE. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR WASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS ON THE INSIDE AND ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED THE GEARBOX (SHIFTER). THE CAR WENT OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL AND ROLLED BACKWARD. THE ENGINE WAS NOT ON. THE CAR QUICKLY ROLLED 20 FEET INTO A TREE AND …

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THE PRIUS WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOUSE. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR WASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS ON THE INSIDE AND ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED THE GEARBOX (SHIFTER). THE CAR WENT OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL AND ROLLED BACKWARD. THE ENGINE WAS NOT ON. THE CAR QUICKLY ROLLED 20 FEET INTO A TREE AND CAUSED 6200$ DAMAGES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND THE CAR. I BELIEVE THAT THE PRIUS CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY PLACED IN NEUTRAL IF ELECTRICAL IS ON IN THE CAR (IE RADIO) AND SOMEONE HAS THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND HITS THE GEARBOX BY ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO SAFETY ON THE SHIFTER TO PREVENT UNINTENTIONAL SHIFTING. MANY OTHER CARS REQUIRE A MANUAL BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER TO BE DEPRESSED PRIOR TO SHIFTING. THIS IS NOT THE CASE ON THE PRIUS. WITHOUT THAT SAFETY FEATURE, ACCIDENTS LIKE THIS ONE CAN HAPPEN AND POTENTIALLY KILL SOMEONE. THE CAR CAN BE MADE TO BE IN NEUTRAL BY ACCIDENT RATHER EASILY.

NHTSA ODI #11308647

50,000 miles · Jun 10, 2019
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I ENTERED MY PARKED, STATIONARY PRIUS, PRESSED MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, DISENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE AND PRESSED THE ON/OFF BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR ON. MY FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY RACED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEED. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR KEPT MOVING. THE…

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I ENTERED MY PARKED, STATIONARY PRIUS, PRESSED MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, DISENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE AND PRESSED THE ON/OFF BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR ON. MY FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY RACED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEED. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR KEPT MOVING. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE WAS LOUD ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE IN NEARBY HOUSES HEARD IT. MY CAR WOULD NOT SLOW WITH MY EFFORTS TO BRAKE. I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. IT RACED ACROSS THE STREET AND PLOWED DIRECTLY INTO A NEIGHBOR'S STONE WALL. MY CAR BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE WALL AND A LARGE TREE. I HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AS THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS PRESSED AGAINST THE TREE. AFTER THE COLLISION, INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONING EVEN WHEN THE DOOR WAS PROPPED OPEN. THE CAR WOULD HAVE CRASHED THROUGH THE HOUSE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN STOPPED BY THE WALL AND TREE.

NHTSA ODI #11219137

89,000 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND HAD LOSS OF POWER ON HIGHWAY AT SPEED OF 65MPH GOING STRAIGHT. TOYOTA EVALUATED AND DETERMINED THE INVERTER WAS BURNT DUE TO OVERHEATING CAUSING HYBRID SYSTEM TO FAIL. TOYOTA STATED WAS NOT COVERED BY VIN FOR EXISTING RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11194080

90,000 miles · Jul 11, 2018
Power Train

MY CAR 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS 2 I WAS AT TRAFFIC LIGHT I PUT THE GEAR SHIFT ON P POSTION WHEN I MOVE GEAR SHIFT TO D BUT IT JUMPED TO N BY IT SELF IT CANT TO GO EVEN TO P I TRIED TURN OFF THE CAR I WAIT FEW SECOND I TRY AGAIN I GET THE SAME PROBLEM THE GEAR SHIFT JUMPED TO POSTION N THE POLICE MAN COME AND I CALLED MY STATE FARM ROA…

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MY CAR 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS 2 I WAS AT TRAFFIC LIGHT I PUT THE GEAR SHIFT ON P POSTION WHEN I MOVE GEAR SHIFT TO D BUT IT JUMPED TO N BY IT SELF IT CANT TO GO EVEN TO P I TRIED TURN OFF THE CAR I WAIT FEW SECOND I TRY AGAIN I GET THE SAME PROBLEM THE GEAR SHIFT JUMPED TO POSTION N THE POLICE MAN COME AND I CALLED MY STATE FARM ROADSIDE ASSISTANT TO TOW THE CAR THE POLICE MAN TRY TO HELP ME AND AFTER ABOUT 10 OR 15 MINUTES THE CAR BACK TO NORMAL SO I DRIVE TO MY HOME BUT I WASN'T FEEL SAFE ACTULLY

NHTSA ODI #11110672

22,267 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE AT A STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE AT A STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,267. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11021602

6,459 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE'S GEAR SHIFTER PARK POSITION BUTTON WAS ACTIVATED, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED, IT ACCELERATED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A ROCK. THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE'S GEAR SHIFTER PARK POSITION BUTTON WAS ACTIVATED, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED, IT ACCELERATED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A ROCK. THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,459.

NHTSA ODI #10888762

Official recalls

1

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.

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.