TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID · model year

2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID

21 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2014TOYOTAPRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID carries 21 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2014 PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID is service brakes with 5 filings, followed by engine (3) and fuel/propulsion system (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2014 PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

21
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

21 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES5
ENGINE3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SEAT BELTS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1

Recalls (1)

17V71800015/11/2017

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.

Recent Complaints

20241216SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In-Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be depressed abnormally hard to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

20241115SERVICE BRAKES

I WENT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND GOT THE SAME ISSUE CONFIRMED. IT IS A BOOSTER BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUE. I CALLED CONSUMER ADVOCATES AND THEY SAID THE NOTICE WENT OUT IN 2019 AND SINCE THEN EXPIRED. THEREFORE DEALERSHIP IS NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. I RECEIVED NO SUCH NOTICE. WHEN I CONTENDED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE HANDLED AND MY CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN 10 YEARS THEY REFUSED. FROM MY RESEARCH I SEE THAT IT IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH THE BREAK BOOSTER AND DEFFINATELY WARRANTS A RECALL. I AM DISABLED AND HAVE MANY MEDICAL ISSUES I NEED MONEY FOR AND CAN NOT AFFORD $3000 MANUFACTURING FAULT DEFECT IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY.

20241115FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I WENT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND GOT THE SAME ISSUE CONFIRMED. IT IS A BOOSTER BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUE. I CALLED CONSUMER ADVOCATES AND THEY SAID THE NOTICE WENT OUT IN 2019 AND SINCE THEN EXPIRED. THEREFORE DEALERSHIP IS NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. I RECEIVED NO SUCH NOTICE. WHEN I CONTENDED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE HANDLED AND MY CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN 10 YEARS THEY REFUSED. FROM MY RESEARCH I SEE THAT IT IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH THE BREAK BOOSTER AND DEFFINATELY WARRANTS A RECALL. I AM DISABLED AND HAVE MANY MEDICAL ISSUES I NEED MONEY FOR AND CAN NOT AFFORD $3000 MANUFACTURING FAULT DEFECT IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY.

20240723SERVICE BRAKES

Complete failure of ABS system. Error code C1391. This is a well-known problem with Gen 2 and 3 Priuses.

20240717SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal was very stiff. The contact stated that the ABS, brake lights, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake power booster and brake power gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

Mileage: 167,000

20240717TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal was very stiff. The contact stated that the ABS, brake lights, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake power booster and brake power gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

Mileage: 167,000

20230912CrashSERVICE BRAKES

Got rear end on 08.21.2023. Was able to drive car to work next day. Once I got home the ABS, traction control, and brake light went on. Using OBD2 scanner. Code 16-17 Right--Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Electrical Noise or Intermittent interruption, Code 16-17 Left-Right Wheel Speed Sensor Malfunction, 61-01 Modulator-Control Unit Initial IG Low Voltage, 65-33 Brake Fluid Level Switch Stuck On, 83-19 ECM/PCM Relation Failure, CT1203 ECM/EV Communication Circuit, C1345 Linear Solenoid Value Offset Learning Undone, C1392 Zero Point Calibration of Stroke Sensor Undone. Tow car to Toyota and they recommend to replace brake booster with Master Cylinder Assembly. Ran me $2968.41 bill which adjuster claim wasn't cause by rear engine damage. Accident Video: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 229,922

20230912CrashENGINE

Got rear end on 08.21.2023. Was able to drive car to work next day. Once I got home the ABS, traction control, and brake light went on. Using OBD2 scanner. Code 16-17 Right--Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Electrical Noise or Intermittent interruption, Code 16-17 Left-Right Wheel Speed Sensor Malfunction, 61-01 Modulator-Control Unit Initial IG Low Voltage, 65-33 Brake Fluid Level Switch Stuck On, 83-19 ECM/PCM Relation Failure, CT1203 ECM/EV Communication Circuit, C1345 Linear Solenoid Value Offset Learning Undone, C1392 Zero Point Calibration of Stroke Sensor Undone. Tow car to Toyota and they recommend to replace brake booster with Master Cylinder Assembly. Ran me $2968.41 bill which adjuster claim wasn't cause by rear engine damage. Accident Video: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 229,922

20230912CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

Got rear end on 08.21.2023. Was able to drive car to work next day. Once I got home the ABS, traction control, and brake light went on. Using OBD2 scanner. Code 16-17 Right--Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Electrical Noise or Intermittent interruption, Code 16-17 Left-Right Wheel Speed Sensor Malfunction, 61-01 Modulator-Control Unit Initial IG Low Voltage, 65-33 Brake Fluid Level Switch Stuck On, 83-19 ECM/PCM Relation Failure, CT1203 ECM/EV Communication Circuit, C1345 Linear Solenoid Value Offset Learning Undone, C1392 Zero Point Calibration of Stroke Sensor Undone. Tow car to Toyota and they recommend to replace brake booster with Master Cylinder Assembly. Ran me $2968.41 bill which adjuster claim wasn't cause by rear engine damage. Accident Video: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 229,922

20211004CrashSERVICE BRAKES

The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Prius PHV. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph when the vehicle would not brake while the pedal was depressed, which resulted in the contact crashing into a vehicle in front of it. No one was injured and a police report was filed. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a lot and then towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed as being totaled. The contact does not know which dealership the vehicle was towed to. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,083.

Mileage: 110,083

20201228EXTERIOR LIGHTING

INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING IS DIM . THE BRIGHTNESS CONTROL DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN TURNING IT UP. IT IS CONSISTENTLY DIM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON, IN MOTION OR NOT. THE PANEL DOES GET BRIGHTER WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, BUT NOT DURING DAYLIGHT .SPEEDOMETER LIGHTING IS DIFFICULT TO READ.

20200328FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ON TOYOTA'S WEBSITE THE VEHICLE HAS A 10.9 GALLON FUEL TANK CAPACITY LISTED. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET ABOVE 8.5 GALLONS. I CONSTANTLY ACHIEVE 45-50 MILES PER GALLON AS ADVERTISED BUT NEVER GET THE RANGE I WAS PROMISED FROM THE DEALER OR BY TOYOTA'S WEBSITE.

20190916CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,068. *BF *JS

Mileage: 70,068

20180327ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I EXPERIENCE LOST OF POWER AS WELL AS WAITING MORE GASOLINE, BEFORE THE ELECTRIC FUSE RECALL, MY AVERAGE MILES PER FULL TANK WAS 436 MILES, NOW IS 540 PER FULL TANK., ALSO THE EV MILES WAS 8.5 PER CHARGE AND NOW AFTER THE FUSE REPLACEMENT IS 13.7 MILES PER CHARGE, FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS I HAVE BEEN WASTING MORE GAS THEN NORMAL AS WELL AS LOST OF POWER.

20180327ENGINE

I EXPERIENCE LOST OF POWER AS WELL AS WAITING MORE GASOLINE, BEFORE THE ELECTRIC FUSE RECALL, MY AVERAGE MILES PER FULL TANK WAS 436 MILES, NOW IS 540 PER FULL TANK., ALSO THE EV MILES WAS 8.5 PER CHARGE AND NOW AFTER THE FUSE REPLACEMENT IS 13.7 MILES PER CHARGE, FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS I HAVE BEEN WASTING MORE GAS THEN NORMAL AS WELL AS LOST OF POWER.

20180327FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I EXPERIENCE LOST OF POWER AS WELL AS WAITING MORE GASOLINE, BEFORE THE ELECTRIC FUSE RECALL, MY AVERAGE MILES PER FULL TANK WAS 436 MILES, NOW IS 540 PER FULL TANK., ALSO THE EV MILES WAS 8.5 PER CHARGE AND NOW AFTER THE FUSE REPLACEMENT IS 13.7 MILES PER CHARGE, FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS I HAVE BEEN WASTING MORE GAS THEN NORMAL AS WELL AS LOST OF POWER.

20180103UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE HYBRID SYSTEM ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES CONTAIN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) FUSE WHICH MAY MALFUNCTION IF THE VEHICLE IS REPEATEDLY OPERATED IN EV MODE UNDER HIGH-LOAD DRIVING CONDITIONS, SUCH AS DURING A LONG HILL CLIMB. IF THE FUSE MALFUNCTIONS, WARNING LIGHTS AND WARNING MESSAGES WILL ILLUMINATE. IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN, BUT WITH REDUCED POWER. N OTHER CASES, THE HYBRID SYSTEM COULD SHUT DOWN RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. POWER STEERING AND BRAKING WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Mileage: 20,000

20170313ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS ON A WELL TRAVELLED AND VERY WINDING ROAD COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY PRIUS LOST POWER AND LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING A MALFUNCTION IN THE PARKING SYSTEM AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM CAME ON. IT WAS A HOKEY POKEY ALL THE WAY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER WHILE MY CAR KEPT LOSING POWER AND GOING INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN MOTION. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES IN ALL, THE LAST TIME AS I MERGED ONTO ANOTHER ROAD WHERE I COULD PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAS IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH FELT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. AFTER THAT, IT STOPPED, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP.

Mileage: 40,000

20170313ENGINE

I WAS ON A WELL TRAVELLED AND VERY WINDING ROAD COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY PRIUS LOST POWER AND LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING A MALFUNCTION IN THE PARKING SYSTEM AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM CAME ON. IT WAS A HOKEY POKEY ALL THE WAY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER WHILE MY CAR KEPT LOSING POWER AND GOING INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN MOTION. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES IN ALL, THE LAST TIME AS I MERGED ONTO ANOTHER ROAD WHERE I COULD PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAS IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH FELT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. AFTER THAT, IT STOPPED, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP.

Mileage: 40,000

20170313FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS ON A WELL TRAVELLED AND VERY WINDING ROAD COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY PRIUS LOST POWER AND LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING A MALFUNCTION IN THE PARKING SYSTEM AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM CAME ON. IT WAS A HOKEY POKEY ALL THE WAY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER WHILE MY CAR KEPT LOSING POWER AND GOING INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN MOTION. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES IN ALL, THE LAST TIME AS I MERGED ONTO ANOTHER ROAD WHERE I COULD PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAS IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH FELT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. AFTER THAT, IT STOPPED, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP.

Mileage: 40,000

Compare 2014TOYOTAPRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID have?
The 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID has 21 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID?
The 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID?
Yes, the 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID is SERVICE BRAKES with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.