Research · Midsize Station Wagons

2014 Toyota Prius VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 255 owner complaints for the 2014 Toyota Prius V. Most complaints involve service brakes (104) and electrical system (45). The EPA rates it 41 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
41mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2020
Owner complaints
255
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$1,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Free remedy

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.

Hybrid propulsion systemReported Jun 24, 2020NHTSA 20V369000

Hybrid propulsion system

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. 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.

Hybrid propulsion systemReported Oct 4, 2018NHTSA 18V684000

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

Hybrid propulsion systemReported Jul 15, 2015NHTSA 15V449000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

255 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2014 – Sep 2026
  1. Service brakes104
  2. Electrical system45
  3. Engine27
  4. Vehicle speed control22
  5. Air bags15
  6. Fuel/propulsion system14
  7. Structure12
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  9. Steering10

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

By model year

Complaints for each Prius V model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2012615
2013468
2014255
2015139
2016166
2017101
Crashes reported
29
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
16
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

104 reports15 crashes
“The vehicle is experiencing a critical failure of the Brake Actuator and Booster Pump assembly. The dashboard currently displays multiple warning indicators: ABS light, Traction Control light, and the Brake System Warning light (Master Warning "!"). Symptoms: Mechanical Failure: The internal high-pressure accumulator is failing to hold pressure. The electric brake booster pump is heard cycling every 10-20 seconds even when the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is not depressed. Loss of Braking Safety Features: The system has disabled regenerative braking and Anti-lock Braking (ABS), causing significantly increased stopping distances and a “spongy" brake pedal feel with diminished braking response. Predictability of Failure: This failure matches the exact symptoms described in Toyota's Customer Support Program 20TE07 (and previously ZJB), which acknowledges an internal defect in the brake actuator. Safetv Risk: The sudden transition from power-assisted braking to manual hydraulic braking during a drive creates an immediate safety hazard. As the pump motor continues to cycle excessively to compensate for the internal leak, it is at risk of total thermal…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Service brakesODI 11762896

Electrical system

45 reports2 crashes3 fires
“8/2025 Car stalled on freeway. Went to dealer. They said nothing wrong. Then on a trip north, car stalled again on freeway. Went to the nearest dealer. They too said nothing wrong. This time same thing. There is a recall for the exact symptoms of the exact car yet they say the repair was done. Why does my vin not qualify for the exact symptoms that generated a recall? This was super dangerous at freeway speed. Toyota knows there is a problem with the inverter and it's computer. Now I'm paying again for a diagnosis. That makes $750 just diagnosing and now if they actually decide it is the inverter, I have to pay upwards of $3000 even though there is a recall? What the heck?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11733421

Engine

27 reports2 fires
“I purchased a 2014 Toyota Prius V in 2013, and it currently has 120,000 miles on it. Last month, the engine light came on, so I took it to a dealership. They diagnosed the issue and provided the codes P0302 and P0304. After consulting multiple shops, all confirmed that coolant is leaking into the engine, which means I either need to repair the head gasket or replace the engine entirely. The quotes I've received for this repair range from $5,000 to $15,000, while the current value of the car is only about $5,000. I want to file a complaint regarding Toyota's responsibility for these engine issues. We buy cars because we trust the brand, and in this case, Toyota has broken that trust. Despite maintaining the car according to Toyota's recommended schedule, I have encountered this serious problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2026EngineODI 11747383
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Station Wagons
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Prius v
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
433941$1,500217
  • Prius v
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    43 city · 39 hwy · $1,500/yr
    41
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota Prius V SW FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 8142
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Prius V questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Toyota Prius V have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Toyota Prius V problems?

Owners filed 255 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (104), electrical system (45), engine (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Toyota Prius V get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Toyota Prius V at 41 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2014 Toyota Prius V?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Toyota Prius V 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026