YearToAvoid

2014 Toyota Prius V Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

71/100

#3 most-complained of 8 Prius V years

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

The 2014 Toyota Prius V has a Complaint Index of 71, ranking 3rd worst of 8 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area with 44 complaints (54% share) and a median failure mileage of 100,000. It carries 4 recalls, none do-not-drive.

Complaints
82
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
5 / 4
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
41
43 city / 39 hwy

Top 2014 Toyota Prius V problems

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

  1. Brakes44 (54%)
  2. Engine21 (26%)
  3. Electrical System15 (18%)
  4. Other12 (15%)
  5. Fuel System11 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body4 (5%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain4 (5%)
  9. Steering2 (2%)
  10. Airbags1 (1%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal traveling to the floor with no stopping power, sometimes requiring use of the parking brake to stop the vehicle.
  • Some drivers describe sudden unintended forward movement at low speeds, such as while parking or pulling into a driveway, resulting in collisions with objects.
  • Several complaints describe the engine stalling while driving, accompanied by warning lights, with the vehicle switching to electric-only power and eventually losing power steering and brakes.
  • One owner reported the head gasket needing replacement after the engine failed to accelerate despite pedal input.
  • A structure and body complaint describes the engine shutting off on the freeway followed by a burning smell and smoke inside the cabin.
2014 Toyota Prius V complaints: complaints filed per quarter92015 Q12016 Q22017 Q42019 Q32021 Q32023 Q32024 Q42026 Q1
119 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q1 (9).

2014 Toyota Prius V recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V369000Jun 24, 2020Fuel System266,638 vehicles

    Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

    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.

    Risk: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults related to this condition, the inverter assembly will be repaired or replaced, prior to software update. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB10 / 20TA10.

  2. NHTSA 18V684000Oct 4, 2018Fuel System807,329 vehicles

    Hybrid propulsion system

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. 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.

    Risk: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.

  3. NHTSA 15V449000Jul 15, 2015Fuel System108,624 vehicles

    Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

    Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

See all 4 recalls for the 2014 Toyota Prius V →

2014 Toyota Prius V fuel economy and fuel cost

City
43 MPG
Highway
39 MPG
Combined
41 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,600
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 V years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020112012201320142015201620172018
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid100217341
2013Avoid86124241
2014Caution7182441
2015Good4324241
2016Caution5716141

All Toyota Prius V years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Toyota Prius V reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2014 Prius V a Complaint Index of 71 and a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst among 8 model years of the Prius V. Brakes are the leading reported problem area, with 44 complaints and a median failure mileage of 100,000.
What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Toyota Prius V?
Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 44 of 82 complaints (54%) and 2 crashes, with a median mileage at failure of 100,000.
Does the 2014 Toyota Prius V have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Prius V, covering the fuel system/hybrid inverter software (three separate campaigns) and an airbag occupant classification system issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2014 Prius V compare to other Prius V years?
The 2014 model's Complaint Index of 71 is better than the 2012 (100, Avoid) and 2013 (86, Avoid) model years, but worse than 2015 (43, Good), 2016 (57, Caution), and 2017 (29, Good).
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Toyota Prius V?
EPA rates the 2014 Prius V at 41 mpg combined (43 city / 39 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,600.

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.