2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes736.8%
- Fuel system315.8%
- Engine315.8%
- Electrical210.5%
- Seat belts15.3%
- Driver assistance15.3%
- Exterior lighting15.3%
- Other / unspecified15.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE PASSENGER WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE SEAT BELT. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. *CN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .