2015 Toyota Prius
Family: Prius · filed with NHTSA as PRIUS, PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID
Summary
- Of the 161 complaints that name a component, 59% concern Brakes (95).
- 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.
- 2 recalls filed for this model year.
- 3 federal defect investigations cover this model year.
At a glance
- Owner complaints
- 171
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 3
- NCAP overall
- 4 of 5 stars
- Combined MPG
- 48–50
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,250–$1,300
- Median mileage at complaint
- 31,070 mi (n = 74)
- Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
- 30 / 1 / 17 / 3
What owners report
Brakes
95 complaints · 59% of complaints that name a component · median 50,000 mi (n = 24)
Owner report I am reporting an active, severe safety hazard regarding the braking system on my 2015 Toyota Prius ( Mileage: 79,000). The vehicle has been officially diagnosed by Toyota Culver City with Diagnostic Trouble Code DTC C1391, confirming an internal failure and lack of pressure within the brake booster/actuator assembly. …
Owner report Problem: Brake Actuator is pulsing the Booster Pump to keep running intermittently, 5-10 seconds. Console lights lit up for ABS problem. Does not clear. Toyota Dealership Report: DCT C1391 Abnormal Leak: Monitored TEH Accumulator Pressure and its not holding pressure. Pump keeps running. Rec[ommend] Brake Actuator…
Electrical System
28 complaints · 17% of complaints that name a component · median 31,070 mi (n = 16)
Owner report When I parked my car and stopped the engine after driving for 90 min/62 miles on June 22, 2023, I found that I couldn't lock my car's door, through my remote, door handle or the switch inside the door. Upon further examination, I saw complete loss of the power: no light, no audio, no other accessory power, no start of …
Owner report I bought this vehicle on July 3, 2015. When I took it in for an oil change in Dec. 2015, I was informed that there was a mice infestation and that the electrical wires and other systems were damaged, resulting in about $2,800 in repairs due to the mice chewing the wiring. I just took this vehicle back in on 29 Nov. 20…
Powertrain
13 complaints · 8% of complaints that name a component · median 22,267 mi (n = 11)
Owner report STARTED HEARING GRINDING AND SCREECHING NOISES FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AFTER A 125 MILE DRIVE TO SAN FRANCISCO. THE FOLLOWING DAY VEHICAL STARTED BUT GRINDING NOISE PERSISTED WHILE VEHICAL WAS PARKED IDLING.DORVE TO THE STOE AND ON THE WAY BACK HOME THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN BACK O…
Owner report THE PRIUS WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOUSE. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR WASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS ON THE INSIDE AND ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED THE GEARBOX (SHIFTER). THE CAR WENT OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL AND ROLLED BACKWARD. THE ENGINE WAS NOT ON. THE CAR QUICKLY ROLLED 20 FEET INTO A…
6% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.
Across the generation (2010–2015)
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. Median of the comparable years: 68.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Note |
|---|
| 2010 | 2,829 | 1,682 | most complaints |
| 2011 | 523 | 67 | |
| 2012 | 449 | 104 | most complaints |
| 2013 | 426 | 68 | |
| 2014 | 223 | 52 | |
| 2015 | 171 | 35 | not 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.
17V718000 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed 2017-11-15 · 39,915 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Federal investigations
| Action | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|
| DP23005 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2023-11-22 | open | |
| DP22005 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2023-01-27 | 2023-08-07 | 22V063000 |
| DP19004 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST | 2019-09-30 | 2021-01-21 | |
DP23005: Brake Actuator Valve Wear
DP22005: Pedestrian alert sounds
DP19004: Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Engines and fuel economy
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|
| Prius | 1.8L 4cyl Hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 50 | 46 | 48 | $1300 |
| Prius Plug-in Hybrid | 1.8L 4cyl Plug-in Hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 51 | 49 | 50 | $1250 |
Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.
Crash test ratings (NCAP)
| Variant | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2015 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 Toyota Prius C 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid 5 HB FWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 Toyota Prius V SW FWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | ★★★★☆ |
Service bulletins
Toyota issued 403 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.
| Date | Component | Summary |
|---|
| 2026-02-13 | ENGINE | OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26. |
| 2026-02-13 | ENGINE | This 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… |
| 2026-01-07 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Some 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… |
| 2026-01-07 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Some 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… |
| 2025-06-13 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The 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… |
| 2025-06-13 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The 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… |
| 2024-12-06 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Acid 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… |
| 2024-12-06 | STRUCTURE:BODY | To 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… |
| 2024-12-06 | STRUCTURE:BODY | The 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… |
| 2024-12-06 | STRUCTURE:BODY | Acid 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… |
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, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota Prius 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.