2015 Toyota Prius problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (84) · Power Train (10) · Electrical System (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Prius model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
71 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter 2020-06-24 · campaign 20V369000 · 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (324)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
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.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Showing the 6 most recent of 324 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-03 · Service Brakes“the brake booster pump has malfunctioned, exactly 1 year outside of the secondary coverage supplied in the voluntary customer support program for this exact issue, despite being under 150,000 miles. now the car is unsafe to drive since the brakes are malfunctioning. …”
2026-09-17 · Service Brakes“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. this component defect causes a…”
2026-08-31 · Service Brakes“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 and booster pump assembly [re…”
2026-08-26 · Service Brakes“on xxx, i was driving my 2015 toyota prius with my family in the vehicle and approaching stopped traffic on dry pavement. an emergency vehicle was approaching from behind, so i began braking earlier than usual. when i applied the brakes, the vehicle did not stop normally. the front slowed/stopped while the rear of the prius suddenly slid sideways t…”
2026-08-11 · Service Brakes“code dtc c1391 - abnormal leak of accumulator pressure. internal failure of the brake booster pump assembly, preventing the system from maintaining proper hydraulic pressure. this means the brakes don't work, putting the driver's and passengers' lives at risk. this dtc c1391 code and problem were reproduced and confirmed by an independent service…”
2026-07-28 · Seats · 💥 crash“i was rear-ended by a truck in my prius and my seat laid back on impact. i'm unaware if that was an intended thing or not but it potentially could have injured my neck. my car is currently in a storage lot awaiting the adjustor's inspection so it is available for inspection if needed. no warning lights were available and it hasn't been recreated b…”
2026-07-15 · Engine · 💥 crash“pulling out of a parking stall, when put vehicle in drive, the engine revved up and accelerated - vehicle crashed, the brakes did not work- there was skid marks. floor mats are factory oem were installed properly. i did not hit the accelerator and i am in good health and mind. i have driving for over 30 years, never had and accident nor a ticket! …”
2026-06-25 · Service Brakes“the vehicle experienced a failure in the braking system involving the brake booster/brake actuator assembly. the vehicle displayed diagnostic trouble code c1391, which is associated with a malfunction of the brake booster pump/accumulator system on this model. the failed component is available for inspection upon request. the failure created a saf…”
2026-06-15 · Seats · 205,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2015 toyota prius. the contact stated that while driving and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle driving approximately 35-45 mph. the contact stated that upon impact, the front driver's seat unexpectedly reclined and struck the rear passenger’s seat. the contact was concerned about the movemen…”
2026-06-10 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 121,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 toyota prius. the contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the brake warning lights illuminated. the brakes were inoperable and entered manual mode. the contact stated that the brake warning lights were red and yellow. the vehicle was taken to brake masters, where it was diagnosed with brake actuator failure. the local d…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.