Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Toyota Prius C problems

Owners filed 206 complaints about the 2014 Toyota Prius C with NHTSA between Jan 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (75).

Complaints
206
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
29
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes75
  2. Electrical system36
  3. Engine21
  4. Vehicle speed control18
  5. Air bags17
  6. Steering11
  7. Structure10
  8. Exterior lighting9
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)9
  10. Visibility/wiper9
  11. Power train8
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  13. Hybrid propulsion system5
  14. Fuel/propulsion system5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201425
201520
20167
201717
201824
201917
202011
202110
20229
202311
202431
202522
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

75 reports14 crashes
“The brakes failed while driving at a high speed (55 MPH) on the highway along with failing when braking at a low speed (15 MPH) near a major intersection. This occured with no warning other than the Brake, ABS, and Traction Control appearing as the failure was occuring. The warning light when away after the first occurance and the brakes began working again within a few moments. It then reoccured and the lights did not turn off and the car began beeping. My safety, along with my passengers safety and the safety of those who were in the area was put at risk. The highway failure occured in a high traffic area which was also a construction zone so workers were at risk. It has been confirmed by an independent service center that the Power Brake Booster and Brake Master Cylinder Assembly failed. There were no sypmtoms or warning prior to this dangerous failure. After researching this issue, I have found that this is a common issue but no recall has been issued, only a Customer Support Program Bulletin, of which I never received. This is extremely troubling due to the nature of brake failure at both high and low speeds can put not only the driver at risk but those…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Service brakesODI 11771074

Electrical system

36 reports2 crashes1 fire
“We were driving on a city street about 25-30mph and the car jerked suddenly and the lights on the dashboard illuminated and the "Check Hybrid System" message came up as well. The car was able to coast to a nearby parking lot. We attempted to drive the car home and the car stalled in the middle of the street. We were able to push the car off the road and then get it towed. The presented a potentially very dangerous situation as the car had a complete failure while driving in the middle of the road. The Toyota service department ran a diagnosis which returned DTC P0A94. All of this indicates that the car should be covered under the CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE PROGRAM 23TE03 however that program seems to only cover the 2010-2015 Prius and 2011-2017 Prius V models and not the Prius C. There are several reports of this same issue happening on the Prius C as well though so it doesn't make sense that it is not covered.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11667479

Engine

21 reports1 crash
“2014 Toyota Prius: While driving at high speed the engine stalled unexpectedly, steering and braking were not effected. Was able to safely coast to a stop in the breakdown lane and after a few minutes, restart the engine and proceed driving. Another event occurred on the entrance ramp onto an interstate highway. I was able to pull over safely and the car restarted after a short delay. This seems to be a very dangerous condition. Toyota dealer service said they could not determine the cause and they know of no recall. I found online a reference to NHTSA Recall # 20V369000 that referred to "unexpected hybrid power system shut down." That is what happened to me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2024Unknown or other, EngineODI 11589472

Vehicle speed control

18 reports8 crashes
“Cruise Control Not Working. Traction Control Light Active, Brake Light Active, And Light Active The cause was diagnosed by Toyota of Paris. TSB for C1391 Code abnormal leak in accumulator. The corrective action is to replace brake booster assembly with Master cylinder and Brake Booster pump Assembly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2025Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11673351

Air bags

17 reports12 crashes
“Passenger airbag indicator on/off light was on despite having passenger over the airbag activation weight requirement being present with seatbelt buckled. Brought car to Toyota dealership and after running diagnostics for two hours they found that the airbag itself is faulty.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2022Air bagsODI 11499586

Steering

11 reports
“The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and turning from the left lane, the steering wheel popped out. The vehicle was able to reverse however, tires were pushed inward. The vehicle was pushed out of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The hazard light was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2024Steering, Exterior lighting, WheelsODI 11586549
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.