Toyota Prius V reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 479 complaints about the Toyota Prius V with NHTSA since 2011, most often about brakes and engine. Toyota has filed 14 warranty extensions and 7 service campaigns for it, and there are 5 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Toyota Prius V? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Prius V a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2011 on.
- Owner complaints
- 479
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 14
- Filed by Toyota
- Service campaigns
- 7
- Filed by Toyota
- Safety recalls
- 5
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Prius V with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | Body and structure (100%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2017 | 12 | Exterior lights (33%) | 1 | 9 |
| 2016 | 16 | Cruise control and speed control (25%) | 1 | 9 |
| 2015 | 24 | Brakes (50%) | 2 | 11 |
| 2014 | 82 | Brakes (46%) | 4 | 17 |
| 2013 | 125 | Brakes (51%) | 2 | 14 |
| 2012 | 218 | Brakes (57%) | 3 | 13 |
| 2011 | 1 | Exterior lights (100%) | 0 | 3 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Prius V model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Toyota
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Toyota filed with NHTSA for the Prius V, in its own words. A warranty extension means Toyota pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2023· Equipment and accessories· model years 2014–2017
DP: Customer Support Program 20TE10 has been superseded by 23TE03
- Warranty extensionNov 2022· Body and structure· model years 2011–2017
TI: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint
- Warranty extensionOct 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2014–2017
FAQ: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Customer Support Program to extend the coverage for repairs related to failure of the Intelligent Power Module (IPM).
- Warranty extensionSep 2020· Brakes· model years 2012–2015
RL: This Customer Support Program provides coverage as it applies to Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies. The specific condition covered by this program is related to certain internal malfunctions of the Brake Booster Assembly.
- Warranty extensionAug 2020· Electrical system· model years 2012–2017
Ti: Technical instructions for limited service campaign K0P customer support program 19TE12 safety connect system ? Vehicle location inaccurate
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2011–2017
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Phase 2 ? Customer Renotification and Repair Phase Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint
- Warranty extensionDec 2019· Body and structure· model years 2014–2017
Dealer Daily Message: ***Phase 2 ? Customer Renotification and Repair Phase*** Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint.
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013–2017
Region Letter: The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles is equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support features of the Safety Connect system.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2012
Warranty Enhancement Program: Toyota has received reports of a rough idle and/or rattle noise from the transaxle at cold start due to a sticking Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve in some vehicles.
- Warranty extensionSep 2018· Brakes· model years 2012–2015
Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions.
- Warranty extensionMay 2016· Hybrid system· model years 2012–2014
Regionletter: In these vehicles, toyota has received some reports where the intelligent power module (ipm) located inside the inverter assembly of the hybrid system may fail.
- Warranty extensionMay 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2012–2014
RegionLetter: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the inverter assembly of the hybrid system may fail.
- Warranty extensionMay 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2012–2014
Dealer email: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the inverter assembly of the hybrid system may fail.
- Warranty extensionMay 2016· Hybrid system· model years 2012–2014
Warranty enhancement program.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Electrical system· model years 2013–2018
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 leaks.
- Service campaignMar 2021· Airbags· model years 2011–2018
Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignOct 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignAug 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignJan 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements.
- Service campaignAug 2014· Seats· model years 2012–2014
This communication is informing vehicle owners of a special service campaign initiated by gulf states toyota, inc.
- Service campaignJul 2014· Seats· model years 2012–2014
This communication is informing dealer principals, general managers, service managers & parts managers of a special service campaign initiated by gulf states toyota, inc.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Prius V model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Brakes241 (50%)
- Engine68 (14%)
- Electrical system62 (13%)
- Other or unspecified45 (9%)
- Cruise control and speed control37 (8%)
- Fuel and propulsion23 (5%)
- Transmission and drivetrain15 (3%)
- Airbags13 (3%)
Safety recalls
5 recalls cover at least one Prius V model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
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.
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.
The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the passenger seat air bag system may be improperly calibrated.
During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- DP23005Defect petition· opened Nov 2023, still open· Brakes· model years 2012
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
NHTSA's own page for the 2018 Toyota Prius V has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Toyota Prius V reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2011 on: 479 owner complaints, 14 warranty extensions and 7 service campaigns Toyota filed, and 5 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2012 (218), 2013 (125), 2014 (82). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Toyota Prius V?
Across every model year since 2011, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name brakes (50%), engine (14%), electrical system (13%). Toyota has filed 14 warranty extensions covering the Prius V, listed on this page.
Which Prius V model years have the most complaints?
2012 (218), 2013 (125), 2014 (82). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Prius V with each other rather than with other models.
Has Toyota extended the warranty on the Prius V?
Yes: equipment and accessories (model years 2014–2017); body and structure (model years 2011–2017); equipment and accessories (model years 2014–2017), and 11 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Prius V?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 5 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.