Motor Almanac

Toyota / Prius v / 2014

2014 Toyota Prius V

Family: Prius v · filed with NHTSA as PRIUS V

Summary

  • Of the 77 complaints that name a component, 57% concern Brakes (44).
  • These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
  • Not enough history to compare this year with the rest of its generation.
  • 4 recalls filed for this model year.
  • No federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints
82
Recalls
4
Investigations
0
NCAP overall
5 of 5 stars
Combined MPG
41
Annual fuel cost
$1,500
Median mileage at complaint
100,000 mi (n = 34)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
5 / 4 / 1 / 0

What owners report

Brakes

44 complaints · 57% of complaints that name a component · median 100,000 mi (n = 11)

Owner report The vehicle is experiencing a critical failure of the Brake Actuator and Booster Pump assembly. The dashboard currently displays multiple warning indicators: ABS light, Traction Control light, and the Brake System Warning light (Master Warning "!"). Symptoms: Mechanical Failure: The internal high-pressure accumulator…
Owner report In 2024, I had my vehicle checked out prior to a road trip because the brakes were making "fart noises," and I was worried about driving it to Albuquerque. The AAA certified dealer I took the car to said everything checked out alright. I never received the letter regarding the brake system issue, so I could not take ad…

Electrical System

15 complaints · 19% of complaints that name a component · median 170,000 mi (n = 6)

Owner report 'TAKATA RECALL ' I BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA PRIUS V THEY MAKE IT ONLY FOR FIVE YEARS, THEY STOP MAKING IT AFTER 2016 BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THERE IS SO MUCH PROBLEMS IN THE ENGINE, MANY CAR THIS MODEL THE ENGINE GET IN FIRES, HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 125,000 MILE. HYBRID BATTERY IT GO BAD AT …
Owner report MICE INVADING INSIDE OF CAR AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. DESTROYING INTERIOR AND AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM. CAN SPREAD DISEASE INCLUDING HANTAVIRUS WITH DROPPINGS. I THINK THIS IS DUE TO USING SOY BASED WIRE COVERINGS THAT ATTRACH RODENTS. CAN ALSO AFFECT WIRING INSIDE THE CAR.

Engine

14 complaints · 18% of complaints that name a component · median 163,335 mi (n = 10)

Owner report I purchased a 2014 Toyota Prius V in 2013, and it currently has 120,000 miles on it. Last month, the engine light came on, so I took it to a dealership. They diagnosed the issue and provided the codes P0302 and P0304. After consulting multiple shops, all confirmed that coolant is leaking into the engine, which means I …
Owner report The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius V. The contact’s grandson stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing th…

6% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2012–2017)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints.

Model yearAll complaintsFirst three yearsNote
201221835not compared
201312518not compared
20148212not compared
2015245not compared
2016164not compared
2017128not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

20V369000 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Filed 2020-06-24 · 266,638 vehicles

Defect: 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.

18V684000 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Filed 2018-10-04 · 807,329 vehicles

Defect: 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.

15V449000 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Filed 2015-07-15 · 108,624 vehicles

Defect: 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.

15V013000 · AIR BAGS

Filed 2015-01-16 · 4,971 vehicles

Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota Prius V vehicles manufactured November 7, 2013, to January 7, 2015. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the passenger seat air bag system may be improperly calibrated. As a result, the passenger air bag may not deploy in a vehicle crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: If the air bag does not deploy as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will re-calibrate of the OCS system, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Federal investigations

None on file.

Engines and fuel economy

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombinedFuel cost / yr
Prius v1.8L 4cyl HybridAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive433941$1500

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

VariantOverallFrontalSideRollover
2014 Toyota Prius V SW FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Toyota issued 464 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about equipment.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

DateComponentSummary
2026-02-13ENGINEOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
2026-02-13ENGINEThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge…
2026-01-07UNKNOWN OR OTHERSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2025-06-13ELECTRICAL SYSTEMThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and in…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicl…
2024-12-05STRUCTURE:BODYToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure …
2024-12-03STRUCTURE:BODYVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the …
2024-07-29STRUCTURE:BODYSome 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Prius v, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota Prius v model page.

Sources

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.