Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Toyota PriusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 166 owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota Prius. Most complaints involve service brakes (89) and electrical system (27). The EPA rates it 48 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
48mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2020
Owner complaints
166
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$1,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

166 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Service brakes89
  2. Electrical system27
  3. Power train13
  4. Engine8
  5. Forward collision avoidance7
  6. Exterior lighting7
  7. Vehicle speed control7
  8. Structure6
  9. Fuel/propulsion system6

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001170
2002193
2003111
2004610
20051,051
20061,440
20072,004
20081,497
2009502
20102,823
2011523
2012688
2013414
2014241
2015166
2016181
201791
201838
201930
202014
20216
202224
202321
202427
202516
Crashes reported
29
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

89 reports11 crashes
“The brake booster pump has malfunctioned, exactly 1 year outside of the secondary coverage supplied in the voluntary customer support program for this exact issue, despite being under 150,000 miles. Now the car is unsafe to drive since the brakes are malfunctioning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11768653

Electrical system

27 reports5 crashes1 fire
“Pulling out of a parking stall, when put vehicle in drive, the engine revved up and accelerated - vehicle crashed, the brakes did not work- there was skid marks. Floor mats are factory OEM were installed properly. I did not hit the accelerator and I am in good health and mind. I have driving for over 30 years, never had and accident nor a ticket! - A county officer was at the seen and left me with vehicle that had to be towed away. The Vehicle is a total loss. I have insurance but felt that this incident need to be reported, There is no safety recalls and the vehicle was always property maintained”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2026Electrical system, EngineCrash reportedODI 11750516

Power train

13 reports4 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 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
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 3, 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
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
504648$1,350185
  • Prius
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    50 city · 46 hwy · $1,350/yr
    48
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 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
4/ 5
4 of 5
Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
12.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 9124
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Prius have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 3, 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 problems?

Owners filed 166 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (89), electrical system (27), power train (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Toyota Prius get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Toyota Prius at 48 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2015 Toyota Prius?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Toyota Prius 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026