YearToAvoid

2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

83/100

#2 most-complained of 7 Prius Plug-in Hybrid years

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

The 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid ranks 2nd worst of 7 model years, with a Complaint Index of 83 and 13 NHTSA complaints, 54% of them involving brakes. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Prius Plug-in Hybrid years.

Complaints
13
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
50
51 city / 49 hwy

Top 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid problems

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

  1. Brakes7 (54%)
  2. Electrical System3 (23%)
  3. Engine3 (23%)
  4. Fuel System3 (23%)
  5. Other2 (15%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (8%)
  7. Seat Belts1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Brake pedal travels to the floor with little or no stopping power, sometimes causing a rear-end crash at low speed.
  • ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights come on together, with wheel speed sensor and control-unit fault codes logged.
  • Vehicle suddenly loses power and drops into neutral while driving, with parking system and hybrid system warning lights on.
  • Instrument panel lighting stays dim and does not respond to the brightness control, making the speedometer hard to read.
  • Fuel tank does not hold its rated capacity and observed range falls short of the advertised figure.
  • Rear seat belt shoulder harness locks up and will not release while the vehicle is parked.
2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2016Jan 2018Sep 2019Dec 2020Sep 2023Nov 2024
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2016 to Dec 2024; peak Mar 2017 (3).

2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V718000Nov 15, 2017Fuel System39,915 vehicles

    Hybrid propulsion system

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.

    Risk: The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EV fuse, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0R.

2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
51 MPG
Highway
49 MPG
Combined
50 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular Gas and Electricity
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 Plug-in Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013201420152025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid10025250
2013Caution6712150
2014Avoid8313150
2015Best175150
2025No verdict332252

All Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Should I avoid the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid?
NHTSA data gives it a Complaint Index of 83, the second highest among the 7 model years with data, and the site verdict is Avoid relative to other years of this model.
What is the most common problem on the 2014 Prius Plug-in Hybrid?
Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 7 of 13 complaints (54%), including 3 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 138,541.5 miles.
Does the 2014 Prius Plug-in Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 17V718000) covers a hybrid battery EV fuse that could fracture after repeated high-load driving; Toyota replaced the fuse free of charge.
How does the 2014 model compare to other Prius Plug-in Hybrid years?
The 2012 model year is worse with a Complaint Index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, while 2015 is rated Best with an index of 17.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Prius Plug-in Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 50 mpg combined (51 city / 49 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.