Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 12 | −67% | 1 | Headlight | Good |
| 2016 | 16 | −60% | 1 | Acceleration | Good |
| 2015 | 24 | −53% | 2 | Brake | Good |
| 2014 | 82 | 2.1× | 4 | Brake | Avoid |
| 2013 | 125 | 3.5× | 2 | Brake | Avoid |
| 2012 | 218 | 6.7× | 3 | Brake | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Prius v year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Toyota Prius v problems
Latest Toyota Prius v recalls
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.
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…
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.
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.
Hybrid propulsion system › Inverter
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.
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.
Air bags
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.
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.
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Toyota Prius v should you avoid?
2012, 2013 and 2014 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Prius v years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2012.
What is the best year for the Toyota Prius v?
2017 has the fewest complaints compared with other Prius v years at the same age, followed by 2016 and 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Toyota Prius v problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (260), engine & cooling (71) and electrical system (61). Brake complaints peak in the 2012 model year.
How many recalls has the Toyota Prius v had?
5 recalls across 2012–2017. The model year with the most is 2014. See all Toyota Prius v recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.