2014 Toyota Prius Electrical Problems

I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety concern involving the brake actuator/booster assembly on my 2014 Toyota Prius. My vehicle has experienced failure of this critical braking component and has been unable to be properly repaired since November due to difficulty obtaining the correct replacement parts. This involves a major safety system required for proper braking operation. Brake actuator/booster assembly. Diagnostic codes: B1206, B2321, C1252, C1253 C1256. Toyota previously acknowledged brake actuator concerns through Customer Support Program ZJB. However, my vehicle is outside the program limits despite experiencing what appears to be the same type of failure reported by many other Prius owners. Since November, I have faced difficulty obtaining the correct parts, reports of nationwide backorders or limited availability, conflicting information regarding updated Toyota part numbers, and concerns about repair providers advertising new OEM parts that may actually be aftermarket or incorrect components. This creates a safety concern because owners experiencing brake failures may be unable to obtain timely repairs using verified, appropriate parts. Repair estimates have ranged from approximately $3,000 to over $4,000, including a Toyota dealership estimate of approximately $4,100. This creates a significant barrier to restoring a vehicle to safe operation, especially involving a component Toyota has previously addressed through a customer support program. I request that NHTSA review this complaint and similar reports to determine whether further investigation is warranted regarding Toyota Prius brake actuator failures, parts availability issues, and whether additional manufacturer action or support is needed. A vehicle’s braking system is a fundamental safety component. Owners should be able to obtain a safe and reliable repair without months of delay or uncertainty regarding replacement parts.

NHTSA ID

11754349

Incident

Nov 11, 2025

The brake system malfunctioned suddenly. While driving and while stopped, the brake pedal became very hard and braking behavior became unpredictable. The vehicle sometimes brakes aggressively and other times requires excessive pedal force to stop. The ABS and BRAKE warning lights illuminated. The vehicle no longer provides normal braking assistance. This issue is related to a failure of the brake actuator / brake booster, which is a known issue affecting Toyota Prius models from 2010 to 2015. This defect creates a serious safety risk, as braking performance is inconsistent and may increase stopping distance or cause loss of control during emergency braking situations. The vehicle has not been repaired yet because the cost is very high and the manufacturer has declined assistance despite this being a known safety-related defect.

NHTSA ID

11707101

Incident

Dec 12, 2025

ABS complete and total failure while driving.

NHTSA ID

11692224

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

I was driving on the highway during rush hour when a loud beeping noice began. My 15 year old cousin was in the passenger seat and began to check for the source of the beeping. I was driving 55mph on a busy highway with no safe shoulder stop. As I was preparing for the exit, the brakes suddenly became dysfunctional. The pedal was extremely hard to press down and I found myself unable to slow down the car in enough time to avoid hitting upcoming traffic. I found myself in an urgent, life threatening situation and needed to pull over into the emergency lane located before the exit. I could not just consider my safety, but that of other drivers and my 15 year old passenger. She is traumatized. I was able to get the car to stop with my entire weight on the pedal. Once stopped, I scrambled to find the reason for the sudden brake problem, checking if anything rolled under my foot, if the floor mat was loose, if the gear shift was wrong, even checked if I accidentally hit the emergency brake. Nothing was out of place. No new dash lights. I looked in the manual. I had no information. I went to jiffy lube and they performed a diagnostic test and informed me they are unable see all the codes with hybrids because Toyota’s computer can only see Just in August I went to Toyota for my oil change, nothing was said about the brakes needing to be fixed and how repairing them now would prevent the failure of the accumulator pump system. If I had known paying $400-$500 for the brakes then would prevent having to pay $3000 to replace a pump. I would have made that sacrifice and went outside of my budget. This is paramount information that should be disclosed to all Toyota customers that take their car in for care and pay. After further research, I STRONGLY BELIEVE TOYOTA EMPLOYEES PURPOSELY WITHHOLD INFORMATION FROM THEIR CUSTOMERS NOT INFORMING CONSUMERS ABOUT AVOIDING PUMP FAILURE AND THE NEED REPAIR THEIR BRAKES AND IS COMPLICIT IN ANY INCIDENT CAUSED BY PUMP FAILURE MAY CAUSE.

NHTSA ID

11622029

Incident

Oct 3, 2024

I was dropping my daughter off at school and the car completely shut down on me and turned off in the middle of an intersection. I have just had brakes and oil changed but ever since I got the car codes keep popping up and when checked it’s all good. Front lights keep glitching and even with new brakes there is still a bad sound. My dash computer thing keeps going in and out. It happens a lot more when it rains and makes a sizzling sound I’m afraid to drive it in the rain. I’m besides myself how the car turned off on me and my child we couldn’t move I could accelerate and we almost got hit then another light came on and I couldn’t even turn my wheel. Very dangerous

NHTSA ID

11569995

Incident

Feb 5, 2024

BRAKES ARE NOT WOKING AT FULL SPECIFICATION DUE TO BRAKE ACCUMILATOR HAVING AN INTERNAL LEAK C1391

NHTSA ID

11548807

Incident

May 11, 2023

Good Evening, I'm writing to request a callback in regards to my 2014 Toyota Prius which is subject to a recall. "The involved vehicles were designed to enter a failsafe driving mode in response to certain hybrid system faults. Toyota has found that in rare situations, the vehicle may not enter a failsafe driving mode as intended. If this occurs, the vehicle could lose power and stall. While power steering and braking would remain operational, a vehicle stall while driving at higher speeds could increase the risk of a crash." I recently just moved back to South Florida, I was living in NJ for a few years and had the Inverter malfunction earlier this February, 2023, forcing the car to enter the fail safe mode described giving me the warning to "Check Hybrid System, Stop the Vehicle in a Safe Place". The car was at Toyota Universe, Little Falls, NJ for about 45 days, since this was going to take the complete replacing of the inverter and an update of some sort of software. After receiving the car back around March 17th, I moved back to Florida about 2 weeks later. This evening around 5:30 returning from work, the car stalled again while I was driving surrounded by dense traffic, wouldn't accelerate with all lights flashing. Thankfully I was able to pull over slowly into a parking lot after which my steering wheel locked, and my car was no longer able to be put into Drive or Reverse. Car was only able to shift into Neutral and Park. This was the most terrifying experience of my life had something worse happen in the middle of traffic. I have dropped off my car to the dealership parking lot and will be checking it in first thing in the morning. I'd like to ascertain what I should expect from Toyota Manufacturing should this issue be unfixable? I am more than happy to let them attempt fixing it, but I also need to live a normal life and don't feel the need to be responsible for a manufacturing defect putting my life in jeopardy every time I go drive.

NHTSA ID

11520152

Incident

May 2, 2023

The air temperature was probably about 50 or 60 F. On a route I routinely drive , I accelerated up hill normally from 0mph to about 45 to 55 mph. I did not accelerate aggressively. Just after climbing the short hill, The engine suddenly loses all power. I had to pull over. I look under the engine to find five pieces of metal blown out of the bottom of the engine block above the oil pan and oil spilling out onto the ground. The car has about 98,000 miles on it and was maintenance regularly including on schedule oil changes, coolant change, state inspections. There were no check engine lights or electronic error codes to indicate anything was wrong with the vehicle which I would have been able to diagnose and possibly fix. The car had been maintenanced in August/September for winter by myself. On the last maintenance, oil was discovered inside the engine air manifold and throttle body that had to be cleaned out and (The EGR was also moderately carbon clogged). I'm very dissatisfied with how Toyota handled my case. They called twice to ask when I wanted to schedule my next service appointment when they had the car sitting on their parking lot for three months. I also wrote them a detailed email similar to this report asking how Toyota could help and that I could not afford to buy another car. The engine failed and it can be inspected upon request. The vehicle had complete loss of power. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer. I have seen videos on youtube.com that show other people replacing blown prius engines and head gaskets. You would see chunks of metal missing from the engine block. The vehicle was not inspected by the manufacturer police or insurance. I could have been hit by another car from behind especially if the hill were longer like on a mountain side or some other situation. Separate issue: Mice enter the two rear ventilation openings to nest in the car. Mice chewed on of the oxygen sensor wires to cause an electrical fault.

NHTSA ID

11471272

Incident

Mar 14, 2022

Originally, Toyota issued a safety recall in 2014 to address the inverter defect in model years 2010 to 2014, an attempt to fix the problem on about 800,000 cars in the U.S. by modifying software that controls the hybrid electrical system. It was intended to fix the overheating problems. The inverter controls the power flowing between the battery and electrical motors. The inverter boosts the battery from 200 - 500 volts. They inspected my car saying it was in excellent condition. After, the software upgrade i had major problems. My original Prius battery with around 65,000 miles stopped holding a charge. My 12 volt battery also died shortly after. And my power outlets in my got super hot and spiratually worked off and on. And my driver seat gets hot when i turn on car even though seat button is off. I am sweating all the time. Plus, i have skin conditions and asma. I talked to dimitri, and they tried to charge me 1200for unnecessary repair. Also, failed to call NHTSA as promised

NHTSA ID

11426958

Incident

Jun 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT RELEASED HER FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATE PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WAS FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TURNED OFF. AFTER WAITING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTIONALITY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO TOYOTA TOWN OF STOCKTON (2150 E HAMMER LN, STOCKTON, CA 95210, (209) 751-4077) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE READING THE INFORMATION FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INVERTER HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,250.

NHTSA ID

11414427

Incident

Apr 14, 2021

Mileage

44,250 mi

ON AUGUST 28,2020 WE WERE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN FOR 1 1/2 HRS TO FAYETTEVILLE. OUR BRAKE ABS AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE ASSUMED THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF, WHEN WE DID NOT DRIVE IT DOING THE NIGHT, BUT NEXT MORNING IT CAME BACK ON. WE CARRIED TO MECHANIC SHOP TODAY SEPT. 1, 2020. THEY COULD NOT READ ANY ERRORS AND SAID NEED TO CARRY IN TO A TOYOTA DEALER. WE HAVE NOT SET UP APT. JUST LEFT VM. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL CALL US BACK TODAY

NHTSA ID

11352569

Incident

Aug 28, 2020

Mileage

102,500 mi

SPORATIC NON START. NOW EXTREMELY OFTEN,

NHTSA ID

11348422

Incident

Aug 9, 2020

WHILE BEING DETAILED, PUDDLE LIGHT WAS SEEN SMOKING ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. IT MELTED THE BODY OF DOOR AND HAD TO BE REMOVED. I ALSO HAVE VIDEO OF IT SMOKING AND MELTING DOOR.

NHTSA ID

11321209

Incident

Apr 15, 2020

SOMETIMES THE CAR NOTHING IN THE CAR WILL LIGHT UP NOR WILL IT START. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY IN THE REAR. WE REPLACED THE FOB BATTERY. SOMETIMES WE OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND SHUT IT AND IT WILL MAKE THE DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND THE CAR WILL THEN STAT WHEN THE START BUTTON IS PUSHED. THE CAR REMAINS DEAD SOMETIMES NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU OPEN AND CLOSE THE DRIVERS DOOR. COME BACK 15 MINUTES LATER AND THE LITTLE RED CAR LIGHT ON THE DASH IS BLINKING AND THE CAR THEN WILL START WHEN START BUTTON IS PUSHED. OTHER TIMES THE LITLE RED CAR LIGHT ON THE RIGHTSIDE BOTTOM OF THE DASH LIGHTS REMAINS OFF AND CAR REMAINS DEAD.

NHTSA ID

11258853

Incident

Sep 28, 2019

Mileage

39,450 mi

THE DRIVER DOOR AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS ONLY WORK SOMETIMES AND IT SEEMS TO BE A ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE NOTICED OTHER ODD THINGS WITH THE ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR

NHTSA ID

11258035

Incident

Aug 28, 2019

THE CAR BRAKES FAILED AT LOW SPEEDS (10-15 MPH) AND BUMPED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT IN A STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC ON THE WET FREEWAY AFTER A RECENT RAIN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO TOUCH THE FLOOR, AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DISENGAGED FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE ABS LIGHT DID NOT TURN ON AT THE TIME OF BRAKING. THE CAR WAS DRIVING IN THE STRAIGHT LINE AND IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THIS I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY BRAKE THE CAR ON THE VERY SAME TRIP. SO THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITH THIS CAR, AS MY SPOUSE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SIMILAR BRAKE FAILURE AT EVEN LOWER SPEEDS (<10 MPH) RESULTING IN TOUCHING THE CAR IN FRONT AND MINOR SCRATCH ON THE BUMPER. IT WAS A DRY DAY THEN AND ALMOST SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. ASSOCIATED GEICO CLAIM NUMBER IS 0423477190101054. WE OPENED A CASE WITH TOYOTA TO CHECK THE DATA RECORDER. ASSOCIATED TOYOTA CASE NUMBER IS 181112370.

NHTSA ID

11151142

Incident

Nov 12, 2018

Mileage

176,619 mi

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 I FOUNT THE CAR SEAT SEVERELY SMOLDERING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CARE WAS FILLED WITH BROWN SMOKE AND TOXIC FUMES. THE SEAT WAS COMPLETELY BURNED AND MELTED AND TOXIC RESIDUE. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE WITH WATER. CAR SEAT HEATER APPARENTLY DID NOT TURN OFF AND SMOLDERED ALL NIGHT. TOYOTA GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND, DELAYING INVESTIGATION AT LEAST 5 WEEKS OR MORE. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE, LAST DRIVEN BRIEF DISTANCE EVENING BEFORE. GARAGE NOW WITH TOXIC FUMES AND RESIDUE. CAR LIKELY TOTALED, AND TOYOTA TRYING TO GET OUT OF ANY ASSISTANCE/RESPONSIBILITY. THEY ARE ON PURPOSE BEING VERY DIFFICULT, AND FORCING ME TO COMPLY WITH THEIR AGENDA, OR LOSE OPTION FOR THEIR TAKING SOME RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ID

11063809

Incident

Jan 12, 2018

Mileage

40,000 mi

ELECTRIC BURNING SMELL EMANATING FROM FRONT OF CAR SMELL COMING QUESTIONABLY THROUGH AIR DUCTS WHICH COMES/GOES AND IS NOTED UPON STARTING CAR AND FOR FIVE MINUTES DURATION AFTER START. INCREASE INCIDENCE OF BURNING SMELL ON DAYS WHEN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS 90 OR HIGHER. I WONDER IF I AM INHALING TOXIC FUMES . WILL CONSIDER REPORT OF PROBLEM TO THE EPA. CHECKED BY POHANKA TOYOTA IN EARLY SUMMER "COULD NOT DUPLICATE SMELL PROBLEM" NO FOLLOW-UP. REPORT MADE TO TOYOTA MOTORS PER EMAIL AND TO REPRESENTATIVE AS WELL AT TOYOTA. STATED " WE WILL REPORT YOUR ISSUE TO THE ADMINISTRATION; "NO RECOMMENDED FOLLOW-UP. INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THERE ARE SEVERAL MODELS OF TOYOTAS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IT IS ABOUT TIME THERE WOULD BE A RECALL AND SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS BLOCK BELOW ASKING WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN IS FORCED CHOICE FOR DATE(SO NOT ACCURATE REFLECTION OF THE PROBLEM); THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON/OFF SINCE MAY 2017 S. I DID INFORM THE TOYOTA REP BY PHONE THAT I WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH MY STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.

NHTSA ID

11015750

Incident

May 10, 2017

Mileage

36,000 mi

RODENTS CHEWED ELECTRICAL WIRING MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE ELECTRONIC SENSORS WERE RENDERED INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR THE WEEK END. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY OTHER VEHICLES PARKED IN SAME GARAGE! REPAIR COST,NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WAS $ 1100.00.

NHTSA ID

10986015

Incident

Jan 10, 2017

Mileage

35,000 mi

RODENTS CHEWED THROUGH MAJORITY OF THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD AND BUILD NESTS IN THE ENGINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND COST ME A LOT OF MONEY FOR REPAIRS WHICH TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER AND SAID IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR USING THESE SOY BASED WIRES THAT ATTRACTS RODENTS.

NHTSA ID

10948489

Incident

Nov 28, 2016

SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYED ON, SWERVE LIGHT OCCASIONALLY. PROVED TO BE RODENT DAMAGE ON WIRE INSTRUMENTS AND BLOWER, PANEL INSTRUMENT, ANTENNA ASSEMBLIES REACHING $3,900. VEHICLE PARKED OUTSIDE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ON PUBLIC STREET IN COLD RAINY WEATHER. VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES WHILE LIVING HERE OVER 20 YEARS. COULD SOY BASED ENCASING AROUND WIRING CONTRIBUTE TO THIS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10947274

Incident

Jan 18, 2017

Mileage

22,512 mi

HEADLIGHTS AND CABIN LIGHTS FAILED TO TURN OFF WHEN REMOTE LOCK WAS ACTIVATED. LIGHTS WERE THEN TURNED OFF MANUALLY. FIVE HOURS LATER, IN THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR WAS NEARLY COMPLETELY DEAD. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, WE LEFT IT AND IT RECHARGED ITSELF. THIS TIME, IT DID NOT RECHARGE ITSELF; IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD THE NEXT DAY. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO "JUMPED" IT AND LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT. THEY SAY IT NOW HAS NO PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10884290

Incident

Jul 11, 2016

Mileage

19,483 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WIRING WAS BEING DAMAGED BY ANIMALS BITING THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR OVER A MONTH, BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ID

10764119

Incident

Sep 5, 2014

Mileage

7,000 mi

DRIVING HOME (APPROXIMATELY 100 MILE JOURNEY) - THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WARNINGS INDICATED NEEDED TO STOP DRIVING AND HAVE CAR TAKEN TO SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. HAD CAR TAKEN TO DEALER FOR "WARRANTY" SERVICE - WAS TOLD A RODENT HAD EATEN THE HIGH VOLTAGE WIRING INSULATION - NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. HAVE HAD NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY AT OUR LOCATION, AND OTHER VEHICLES PARKED HERE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS. BEING TOLD $2700 REPAIR NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY THAT I NEED TO CLAIM ON MY CAR COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE. CONCERNED THAT IF IT IS RODENT DAMAGE, IS IT DUE TO MATERIALS USED THAT ARE ATTRACTIVE TO RODENTS (WOULDN'T THIS BE A PROBLEM FOR ALL PRIUS OWNERS), ESPECIALLY IN AREAS THAT HAVE MORE OF A VISIBLE SMALL RODENT POPULATION? ALSO, DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROVE IT WAS MANUFACTURER OR DESIGN DEFECT - ASKING DEALER TO DOCUMENT HOW THEY CAME TO BELIEVE IT IS A RODENT PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10750088

Incident

Aug 19, 2015

Mileage

14,775 mi

THIS VEHICLE IS A LITTLE OVER 3 MONTHS OLD AND HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THROUGH THIS PERIOD. WHEN PUT IN REVERSE ON OCCASION IT FREEZES AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH GO ON AND STAY ON (INCLUDING THE YELLOW TRIANGLE) AND THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE. THE PRIUS C NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS AND RESTARTED TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASED NEW. WORSE YET, THE LAST TIME WHEN IT WAS PUT IN REVERSE (YESTERDAY) ALL THE LIGHTS FROZE ON THE DASH HOWEVER THIS TIME THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN REVERSE AND THE DASH SAID 'R' FOR REVERSE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID

10731590

Incident

Jul 1, 2015

Mileage

400 mi