2014 Toyota Prius Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 Prius years
The 2014 Toyota Prius ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict. Brakes account for 51% of its 207 complaints, and it carries 3 recalls, all tied to the hybrid inverter's Intelligent Power Module.
- Complaints
- 207
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 25 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 48
- 49 city / 46 hwy
Top 2014 Toyota Prius problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes105 (51%)
- Electrical System37 (18%)
- Engine31 (15%)
- Other26 (13%)
- Airbags14 (7%)
- Structure & Body13 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (5%)
- Fuel System10 (5%)
- Steering8 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the brake pedal failing to stop the car, sometimes leading to low-speed crashes into buildings, parked vehicles, or the car ahead.
- Some describe the car surging or accelerating unexpectedly right after braking or shifting gears, even while parked or moving slowly.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in some crashes, while in other cases airbags deployed before impact at low speeds.
- Electrical system complaints describe a sudden 'boom' noise followed by unintended acceleration when shifting from reverse to drive.
- One owner reported the dash warning lights and slide indicator activating with the car becoming unresponsive to the accelerator during slippery conditions.
2014 Toyota Prius recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 14V053000Feb 12, 2014Fuel System698,457 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.
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 both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
2014 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 49 MPG
- Highway
- 46 MPG
- Combined
- 48 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,350
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Compared to other Prius model years, the 2014 ranks 6th worst out of 16 with a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2010-2013 model years but more than the 2015-2025 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Toyota Prius?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 105 of 207 complaints (51%), with a median mileage at failure of 53,101 miles and 15 reported crashes.
- Does the 2014 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 Prius, all related to the Fuel System component involving excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module inside the inverter, with software updates as the remedy.
- How does the 2014 Prius compare to other Prius years?
- NHTSA data shows the 2010 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, while 2021 has the lowest at 0. The 2014 sits at 67, better than 2010-2013 but worse than 2015 onward.