RoadVitals

2015 Toyota Prius V

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Oct 28, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 24, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Toyota Prius V, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 377 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes1140.7%
  • Fuel system414.8%
  • Powertrain (other)311.1%
  • Driver assistance311.1%
  • Electrical27.4%
  • Engine27.4%
  • Seat belts13.7%
  • Airbags13.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Jun 24, 2020
266,638 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 20TB10 / 20TA10View on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS

Jan 16, 2015
4,971 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota Prius V vehicles manufactured November 7, 2013, to January 7, 2015. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the passenger seat air bag system may be improperly calibrated. As a result, the passenger air bag may not deploy in a vehicle crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk: If the air bag does not deploy as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will re-calibrate of the OCS system, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 2025

Emergency Brake, Traction and ABS warning came on and stayed on in addition to a five-second interval cycling on of a motor sound under the hood. O'Reilly Auto Parts and then Toyota dealership confirmed the same code that indicated brake booster assembly needs replacing (C1391) **This is a "known issue" but not yet a recall. Toyota did extend the part warranty to 10 years or 150,000 miles - my vehicle has only gone 85,500 and unfortunately is eight months into the 10th year and Toyota is refusing to cover any portion of the repair. I would like to be part of the effort to have this formally declared a recall because I got the quote today to replace the brake booster assembly and it's going to cost half the value of the vehicle! $4000 is the low estimate Bighorn Toyota gave me to do the repair/replacement. Thank you for your help!

NHTSA ID
11696236
Incident
Oct 5, 2025
Brakes
Filed Jul 7, 2025

Brake light + ABS + traction light came on and the brake became harder to control. I was driving in the rain and briefly lost control. Fortunately, no accident.

NHTSA ID
11671770
Incident
Jul 5, 2025
Brakes
Filed May 27, 2025

brake failure during operation due to bad brake booster pump and accumulator.

NHTSA ID
11663280
Incident
May 27, 2025
Brakes
Filed Feb 11, 2025

Brakes failing while driving in the rain. I was unable to use my brakes in the rain and headlights turned off while driving too. Took it to the dealer and they won't do anything unless lights are on on dashboard to read the code.

NHTSA ID
11642078
Incident
Jan 30, 2025
Engine
Filed Nov 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at speeds under 65 MPH, the vehicle intermittently lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and DTC codes: P0300, P0302, P0303, and P0304 were retrieved. The contact was informed that several undisclosed parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.

NHTSA ID
11623185
Incident
Oct 25, 2024
Mileage
162,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 20, 2024

I started hearing the whirring sound from the brake booster that normally only comes on at startup almost constantly, about every 15 seconds. Along with this, a puffing sound and a pulsing from the brake pedal when stopped with the car on, such as at a traffic light. Also, when coming to a stop there would be a shudder from the brakes. After about a month I was driving when 3 separate warning lights lit up on the dashboard and the next time I braked the pedal felt very different than normal, very mushy, and the car seemed to not stop as well. I consulted a repair shop and they told me it’s a common problem with this model: brake booster/actuator failure resulting in a loss of the ABS system. They quoted me over $2000 to make the repair. Internet research confirmed that this is a common problem that Toyota is aware of but refuses to acknowledge as something to be recalled, despite the huge safety risk associated with it. This on a car with only 85,000 miles.

NHTSA ID
11578597
Incident
Mar 13, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Oct 3, 2022

My Prius V has slow acceleration and the RPMs seem to go unusually high on acceleration. This makes it dangerous to pull out from a stop sign, etc. in certain situations that would be fine in another car of the same make and model. And recently it has started to throttle up when taking my foot off the gas and even when pressing on the brake. This happens intermittently and randomly. Fortunately no accidents have occurred yet and I'm trying to get the problems resolved with Toyota, but the dealer says it will be hard for them to diagnose when the problem is not occurring and there are no warning lights. Less than 60,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID
11487615
Incident
Oct 3, 2022
Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2021

Car hesitates after stopping at a traffic light (5/30/21). After a few seconds the car finally engages (accelerate). Happens infrequently. Brakes seems to be stuck after braking and releasing brakes (7/15/21). Took a few second to acceleerate. Happens infrequently. Car switch to neutral after stopping at a traffic light (9/15/21). Car switch to neutral after stopping at a traffic light (10/12/21.) Car switch to neutral after stopping at a traffic light (10/15/21). Warning lights came on (10/15/21) Diagnosted: pressure control chip for the master cyclinder failed. After braking at a traffic light the car switched to neutral by itself and failed to acceleerate or move forward (10/16/21).

NHTSA ID
11437152
Incident
May 30, 2021

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0119-15 Rev2

ENGINE

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

T-SB-0009-26

ENGINE

This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual references the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) charger.

T-SB-0055-24 Rev2

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

T-SB-0058-23 Rev1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

T-SB-0035-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

T-SB-0038-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Prius V by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018100
2017121047.2
2016161056.3
2015Viewing232052.6
2014814063.1
20131243062.5
20122154162.0
2011100

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.