Research · Midsize Station Wagons

2015 Toyota Prius VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 139 owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota Prius V. Most complaints involve service brakes (61) and electrical system (24). The EPA rates it 41 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
41mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2020
Owner complaints
139
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$1,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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

Air bags

Free remedy

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."

Air bagsReported Jan 16, 2015NHTSA 15V013000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

139 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2015 – Sep 2026
  1. Service brakes61
  2. Electrical system24
  3. Power train16
  4. Fuel/propulsion system10
  5. Vehicle speed control10
  6. Engine8
  7. Exterior lighting7
  8. Air bags7
  9. Structure5

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
28
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

61 reports12 crashes
“The brake booster assembly failed, as many of these models had before. A bunch of codes went off as I was driving and the brakes did not function properly. Toyota had an extended warranty for this which they discontinued last year and they would extend no good will towards the $4,000 repair”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Service brakesODI 11761665

Electrical system

24 reports4 crashes1 fire
“The headlight bulbs keep going out. I have replaced the bulbs at least 2-3 times a year for the past few years. I have asked dealers about this and they tell me there is no recall or tsb. This is a hazard to night driving because of decreased illumination, especially in dark roads with not enough lighting. Please recall/fix this issue!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11642400

Power train

16 reports5 crashes
“My mom was involved in an accident in her 2015 Toyota Prius on April 19, 2022, which she advised lurched forward at a stop and when applying the brakes to stop the vehicle, she said was unresponsive, causing her to clip a vehicle and sending her vehicle into a ditch totaling her car and injuring her passenger and her. I would like to have this investigated and hold Toyota responsible. This could have been much worse and lives could have been lost. She is now without means of transportation, and she is now possibly responsible for damages to property and bodily injury because of this. Through my research I have discovered multiple class action lawsuits brought against Toyota for the same exact models. I asked the police officer to run a scan on the computer, but he advised it was only for serious accidents. There was no indication of the problem or messages.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2022Power train, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11462365
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 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 8, 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 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 Toyota Prius V as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 9126
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

2015 Prius V questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Prius V have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 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 2015 Toyota Prius V problems?

Owners filed 139 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (61), electrical system (24), power train (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Toyota Prius V get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Toyota Prius V at 41 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026