What years of the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2012 and 2014 are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83. Both years show brakes as the top reported problem area.

Which Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid year is best?

The 2015 model year is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 17 and only 5 total complaints, the lowest among years with data.

What is the most common problem on the Prius Plug-in Hybrid?

Brakes are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 34 of 64 total complaints, or 53% of the total.

Are there brake-related recalls on the Prius Plug-in Hybrid?

NHTSA lists 4 total recall campaigns across the model, including a 2012-2015 EV fuse recall on the hybrid battery and a 2010-2012 curtain airbag weld recall, though brakes themselves are the top complaint area rather than a recall subject.

Is the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid reliable?

The 2013 model year is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 67 and 12 total complaints, mostly related to brakes.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid model years 2012 and 2014 are rated Avoid, driven mainly by brake complaints with complaint indexes of 100 and 83. The 2015 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of only 17, making it the strongest choice among the years covered.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2012 Avoid 2014 Best 2015

Model years: 7; 2010–2025
NHTSA complaints: 64
Recall campaigns: 4
Crashes reported: 10
Fires reported: 1
Top problem area: Brakes

Prius Plug-in Hybrid Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Caution	50	6	2	0	1	Brakes	50	—
2011	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Fuel System	48	—
2012	Avoid	100	25	1	1	2	Brakes	50	—
2013	Caution	67	12	3	0	1	Brakes	50	4★
2014	Avoid	83	13	3	0	1	Brakes	50	—
2015	Best	17	5	1	0	1	Brakes	50	—
2025	No verdict	33	2	0	0	2	Electrical System	52	—

Prius Plug-in Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Index 100 · 25 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2012 model year has the highest complaint index (100) of any Prius Plug-in Hybrid year, with 25 total complaints. Brakes are the top issue, making up 52% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 130,000. Owners described loss of braking control at speeds near 55 mph, including one incident with a crash. Electrical system problems, including sudden power loss and stalling, appeared at a median of 57,000 miles. NHTSA lists two recalls for this year, covering an EV fuse that can fracture and a curtain airbag weld issue.

2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Index 83 · 13 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2014 model year carries a complaint index of 83 with 13 total complaints, over half tied to brakes (54% share). Owners reported brake pedals traveling to the floor without stopping the vehicle, with two separate crash reports at 70,068 and 110,083 miles. Electrical system and fuel system complaints, including sudden power loss while driving, showed up at a median of 40,000 miles. NHTSA lists one recall for this year covering an EV fuse in the hybrid battery that may fracture after repeated high-load driving.

Most common Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Brakes34 (53%)
Electrical System13 (20%)
Engine12 (19%)
Other9 (14%)
Fuel System6 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
Structure & Body2 (3%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
Seat Belts1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2012 and 2014 are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83. Both years show brakes as the top reported problem area.
Which Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid year is best?: The 2015 model year is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 17 and only 5 total complaints, the lowest among years with data.
What is the most common problem on the Prius Plug-in Hybrid?: Brakes are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 34 of 64 total complaints, or 53% of the total.
Are there brake-related recalls on the Prius Plug-in Hybrid?: NHTSA lists 4 total recall campaigns across the model, including a 2012-2015 EV fuse recall on the hybrid battery and a 2010-2012 curtain airbag weld recall, though brakes themselves are the top complaint area rather than a recall subject.
Is the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid reliable?: The 2013 model year is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 67 and 12 total complaints, mostly related to brakes.