YearToAvoid

2014 Toyota Prius C Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

71/100

#3 most-complained of 8 Prius C years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2014 Toyota Prius C has a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd worst of 8 model years, earning a "Caution" label. NHTSA lists 32 complaints, 5 crashes, 4 injuries, and 0 recalls for this year, with engine issues the top problem area.

Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
50
53 city / 46 hwy

Top 2014 Toyota Prius C problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine10 (31%)
  2. Brakes9 (28%)
  3. Electrical System9 (28%)
  4. Other8 (25%)
  5. Airbags3 (9%)
  6. Steering3 (9%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (9%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (6%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (6%)
  10. Fuel System1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Engine loses power or motive power while driving, sometimes with a warning light illuminated beforehand, at a median failure mileage around 63,250 miles.
  • Airbags fail to deploy or deploy without preventing occupant contact with the windshield during side-impact and low-speed collisions.
  • Rear lamp assembly seals let water in, which owners say burns out bulbs and shorts the electrical system.
  • Vehicle body allows water intrusion into the floor and trunk during rain, reportedly recurring even after dealer repairs to body plugs.
  • Vehicle can be pulled toward passing large vehicles or in high winds at highway speed, requiring the driver to slow down to regain control.
  • Electrical system shows lack of acceleration or power when shifting from park to drive.
2014 Toyota Prius C complaints: complaints filed per month6Nov 2016Jan 2018Aug 2018Jan 2020Nov 2021Jul 2024Jun 2025Mar 2026
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2016 to Mar 2026; peak Nov 2021 (6).

2014 Toyota Prius C recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2014 Toyota Prius C fuel economy and fuel cost

City
53 MPG
Highway
46 MPG
Combined
50 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other Prius C years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020122013201420152016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid10063050
2013Avoid8657050
2014Caution7132050
2015Caution5717150
2016Best1412050

All Toyota Prius C years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Toyota Prius C reliable?
Compared to other Prius C model years, 2014 is rated "Caution" with a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd worst out of 8 years tracked. It has fewer complaints than 2012 and 2013 but more than 2015-2019.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Toyota Prius C?
NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 31% of the total (10 complaints), followed by Brakes and Electrical System, each at 28% (9 complaints each).
Does the 2014 Toyota Prius C have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2014 Toyota Prius C, compared to 1 recall each for the 2015, 2017, and 2019 model years.
What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2014 Prius C?
The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 60,884.5 miles, though Brakes issues showed up earlier at a median of 30,000 miles and Electrical System issues later at 87,462 miles.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Toyota Prius C?
EPA rates the 2014 Prius C at 50 mpg combined (53 city / 46 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.