IllustrationWHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT INJURED SINCE THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED. I NOTED THAT THERE WERE MANY SIMILAR REPORTS. SURPRISED THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ACTION.
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
What owners actually said
164 reportsAT 41,000 THE VEHICLE PER A GOODYEAR DEALER ADVISED THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE METAL ON METAL. THE CALIBER WAS ALSO FROZEN AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 3/7/19 WITH NO MENTION OF A NEED FOR REPAIRS TO THE FRONT BRAKES. IS THERE A GENERAL PROBLEM WITH BAD BRAKES ON TOYOTA VEHICLES?
WHILE DRIVING, LEFT SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT DARK. NO SPEED INDICATION AND CRUISE CONTROL TRIPPED OFF. STARTED CAR NEXT DAY AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NORMAL. WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY WITH ENGINE RUNNING, ENGINE STOPPED AS NORMAL FOR THE HYBRID PRIUS, WHEN THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AGAIN…
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WHILE DRIVING, LEFT SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT DARK. NO SPEED INDICATION AND CRUISE CONTROL TRIPPED OFF. STARTED CAR NEXT DAY AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NORMAL. WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY WITH ENGINE RUNNING, ENGINE STOPPED AS NORMAL FOR THE HYBRID PRIUS, WHEN THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AGAIN WENT DARK. DIMMER SWITCH AT FULL BRIGHT AND NOTHING BLOCKING MIRROR FOR COMBINATION PANEL (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER).
THE LOUDNESS OF THE HORN IS VERY UNSAFE. TOYOTA OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF INSTALLING SUCH A "WHIPPY SOUNDING HORN SYSTEM ON ITS HYBRID. WHEN I WAS CUT-OFF IN CITY TRAFFIC, THE HORN LOUDNESS WOULDN'T ATTRACT IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO MOST OTHER DRIVERS.
NOTED RECALL ON THE NEWS FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR 2015 TO 2018
NEWS TIRES WHERE BAD WITHIN 9 MONTHS-BOUGHT AT COSTCO -ONE TIRE HAD A NAIL AND WENT FLAT VERY FAST- -HAD REPAIRED-ONE KEPT GETTING FLAT OTHER EXPLODED ON FREEWAY AND CAUSED DAMAGE -BOTH FLAT AND RIPPED TIRE HAPPENED SUDDENLY. COSTCO HAS REPLACED THE TIRES ALL 4 -BUT WILL NOT PAY DAMAGE TO CAR FROM EXPLOSION SUDDEN FLAT AND IN S…
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NEWS TIRES WHERE BAD WITHIN 9 MONTHS-BOUGHT AT COSTCO -ONE TIRE HAD A NAIL AND WENT FLAT VERY FAST- -HAD REPAIRED-ONE KEPT GETTING FLAT OTHER EXPLODED ON FREEWAY AND CAUSED DAMAGE -BOTH FLAT AND RIPPED TIRE HAPPENED SUDDENLY. COSTCO HAS REPLACED THE TIRES ALL 4 -BUT WILL NOT PAY DAMAGE TO CAR FROM EXPLOSION SUDDEN FLAT AND IN SHREDS . WE FELL THEY SOLD BAD TIRES AND THESE TIRES ARE A SAFETY HAZARD.
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
AS I WAS DRIVING OUR 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS AT ABOUT 30 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET AND GOING STRAIGHT, WE CAME UPON A METAL CONSTRUCTION PLATE OVER THE ROADWAY SURFACE AND THE BRAKES WERE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WITHIN 100 FEET. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, B…
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AS I WAS DRIVING OUR 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS AT ABOUT 30 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET AND GOING STRAIGHT, WE CAME UPON A METAL CONSTRUCTION PLATE OVER THE ROADWAY SURFACE AND THE BRAKES WERE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WITHIN 100 FEET. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, BUT THIS SUDDEN ACTION COULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION.
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 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.
AUTO ADJUSTING LOW BEAMS NOT WORKING. LOW BEAM IS FIXED DOWN AS IF THERE WAS A HEAVY WEIGHT LOAD, WITH NO LOAD IN THE AUTO THE LOW BEAM LIGHT PATERN IS ONLY 25 FEET, THIS DISTANCE PUTS THE DRIVER AT RISK BEING UNABLE CLEARLY SEE THE ROAD AND DRIVE AT A REDUCE SPEED OR OVER DRIVING THE LIGHT. DRIVER EYES ARE STRAINED AS THEY TRY…
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AUTO ADJUSTING LOW BEAMS NOT WORKING. LOW BEAM IS FIXED DOWN AS IF THERE WAS A HEAVY WEIGHT LOAD, WITH NO LOAD IN THE AUTO THE LOW BEAM LIGHT PATERN IS ONLY 25 FEET, THIS DISTANCE PUTS THE DRIVER AT RISK BEING UNABLE CLEARLY SEE THE ROAD AND DRIVE AT A REDUCE SPEED OR OVER DRIVING THE LIGHT. DRIVER EYES ARE STRAINED AS THEY TRY TO NAVIGATE. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE HIGH BEAMS. AFFECTS ONLY AT NIGHT ON HIGHWAYS AND. POORLY LIGHT WIEDY COUNTRY ROADS.
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.