YearToAvoid

2014 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2014 Toyota Prius has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Brakes account for 51% of its 207 complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 18%.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#11 of 21 Prius years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
207
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
25
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
15
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
48
49 city / 46 hwy
Injuries / deaths
15 / 0

Top 2014 Toyota Prius problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes105 (51%)
  2. Electrical System37 (18%)
  3. Engine31 (15%)
  4. Other26 (13%)
  5. Airbags14 (7%)
  6. Structure & Body13 (6%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers11 (5%)
  8. Fuel System10 (5%)
  9. Steering8 (4%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain6 (3%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle failing to stop or slow down when the brake pedal is depressed, sometimes leading to a crash into another vehicle, a building, or parking posts.
  • Some drivers describe the car suddenly accelerating on its own at low speed, including one case after the vehicle sat parked for a few days in hot, humid weather.
  • Several complaints describe brakes disengaging while parking, causing the vehicle to move forward or backward unexpectedly and collide with nearby objects.
  • One owner reported the car losing engine response and becoming unresponsive to the gas pedal while sliding in slippery road conditions.
  • A separate complaint describes a car seat smoldering and filling the cabin with smoke, traced to an electrical seat heater that did not shut off.
  • Multiple brake-related crashes occurred at very low mileage, with several reported under 3,200 miles.
2014 Toyota Prius complaints: complaints filed per quarter122014 Q12016 Q12017 Q42019 Q32021 Q22023 Q12024 Q42026 Q3
207 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2014 Q3 (12).

2014 Toyota Prius recalls

3 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 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Caution65423648
2013Caution60409348
2014Caution50207348
2015Caution55165148
2016Good45154554

All Toyota Prius years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Toyota Prius reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2014 Prius a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years of the Prius. Brakes are the top reported problem area, making up 51% of its 207 complaints.
What is the main problem with the 2014 Toyota Prius?
Brakes are the top problem area, with 105 complaints (51% share) and a median failure mileage of 53,101 miles. Electrical system issues follow at 37 complaints (18%).
Does the 2014 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 Prius, all related to the fuel system, involving the Intelligent Power Module inside the inverter that can cause the hybrid system to shut down. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2014 Prius compare to other Prius years?
The 2014 model's complaint index of 50 is better than the 2005-2013 model years but worse than 2015 through 2025, which mostly earn Good or Best verdicts, including 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Toyota Prius?
EPA rates the 2014 Prius at 48 mpg combined (49 city / 46 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,350.

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.