Toyota Prius V problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 272 owner complaints and 5 recalls on file for the Toyota Prius V (2012–2017). The 2012 Prius V has the most serious complaints, most often about brakes.

Complaints
272
Recalls
5
Model years
6
Worst year
2012

Complaints by model year

116201272201355201415201510201642017
NHTSA complaints per Toyota Prius V model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Toyota Prius V years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2012 Toyota Prius V — 116 complaints, 6 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Brakes
  2. 2013 Toyota Prius V — 72 complaints, 1 crash, 1 fire; top problem: Brakes
  3. 2014 Toyota Prius V — 55 complaints, 2 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Brakes

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2017 (4 complaints).

Every Toyota Prius V model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2017 Prius V41001Lighting
2016 Prius V104001Acceleration & Cruise Control
2015 Prius V152012Brakes
2014 Prius V552214Brakes
2013 Prius V721122Brakes
2012 Prius V1166143Brakes

Most common Toyota Prius V problem areas (all years)

  • Brakes
    194 complaints
  • Engine
    33 complaints
  • Electrical System
    28 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    18 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    15 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    10 complaints
  • Airbags
    9 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    7 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    7 complaints
  • Lighting
    6 complaints

Complaint trend

202020212023202420252026
Complaints about the Toyota Prius V received by NHTSA each month.

Toyota Prius V recalls

  • Recall 20V369000Jun 24, 2020266,638 vehiclesModel years 2014–2017

    Risk: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V684000Oct 4, 2018807,329 vehiclesModel years 2012–2014

    Risk: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 15V449000Jul 15, 2015108,624 vehiclesModel years 2012–2014

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 15V013000Jan 16, 20154,971 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

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

  • Recall 13V014000Jan 16, 20133,235 vehiclesModel years 2012

    Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Other Toyota models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology