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2014 Toyota Prius V Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2014 Toyota Prius V carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering hybrid propulsion system and inverter. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Head gasket failure with coolant leaking into engine.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Campaign #18V684000 · Apr 10, 2018

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Campaign #15V449000 · Jul 15, 2015

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS

Campaign #15V013000 · Jan 16, 2015

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Campaign #20V369000 · Jun 24, 2020

Issue: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Toyota Prius V.

Reported to NHTSA

Head gasket failure with coolant leaking into engine

ENGINE

13 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2026-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11747383
“THE HEAD GASKET IN THE ENGINE FAILED AT 200K MILES AND WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNING THE WHOLE CAR HOOK AND SHUDDERED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10934076
“DEALER MECHANICS AT TOYOTA BERKELEY, TOYOTA VALLEJO AND CITY IN DALY CITY ALL HAVE STATED THAT THE CRACK IN MY OIL TANK IS A 'WELL KNOWN' MANUFACTURER DEFECT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11176429

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rodent-damaged wiring harness

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-01 → 2018-09

“RODENTS CHEWED ELECTRICAL WIRING MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE ELECTRONIC SENSORS WERE RENDERED INOPERABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10986015
“RODENTS CHEWED THROUGH MAJORITY OF THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD AND BUILD NESTS IN THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10948489
“MICE INVADING INSIDE OF CAR AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. DESTROYING INTERIOR AND AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11129966

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake booster and accumulator pump failure (C1391)

SERVICE BRAKES

87 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2026-07

“My 2014 Toyota Prius (VIN [XXX] , 77,000 miles) displayed Brake, ABS, and Slip warning lights. A mechanic confirmed failure of the Brake Booster and Pump Assembly (DTC C1391)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11696950
“Without warning, my brakes completely stopped working and I was fortunate enough to be somewhere I was able to pull over without being killed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11621414
“Brake actuator failure, coded as C1391. known issue by Toyota which can result in loss of brakes if not repaired. symptoms of problem: pulsing air sound from master brake cylinder, and/or all braking system lights illuminate on dash”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11616427

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hybrid inverter failure causing unexpected stall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

25 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2026-04

“8/2025 Car stalled on freeway. Went to dealer. They said nothing wrong. Then on a trip north, car stalled again on freeway. Went to the nearest dealer. They too said nothing wrong”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11733421
“TOYOTA ISSUED SAFETY RECALLS E0E AND F0R FOR THE FAILURE OF THE HYBRID INVERTER. IF THE INVERTER HAD NOT FAILED YET, THE TOYOTA'S REMEDY IS A 'SOFTWARE RE-FLASH'. THE SOFTWARE REFLASH 'REMEDY' IS NOT SUFFICIENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11054604
“I ACTUALLY WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CONCERN REGARDING THE 2010 - 2014 INVERTER/COMPONENT FAILURES. THIS PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY MY DEALER INDICATING THAT THE MOTOR/GENERATOR ECU COULD RESET, CAUSING THE HYBRID SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11090167

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbags failing to deploy in a collision

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-12 → 2022-05

“My 2014 Toyota Prius was in a T-bone accident, directly on the driver door and the side air bags did not deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11465834
“HEAD ON COLLISION HITTING A TREE, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, VEHICLE TOTALED DRIVER IN THE HOSPITAL. ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 IN TALLAHASSEE, FL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11359778
“Airbags did not deploy when I got into an accident on I-91. The car has been totaled and is in Allstate's possession, and I believe it is available for inspection”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11458765

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden unintended acceleration while parking or turning

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2022-10

“SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. 2014 PRIUS WAS PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS IN HOT, HUMID WEATHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992060
“PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL ALMOST STOPPED. MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED THE CURB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11088619
“HALFWAY THROUGH PARALLEL PARKING, RIGHT REAR OF CAR BY CURB, FOOT LIGHTLY ON BRAKE, WAS ABOUT TO SHIFT TO D AND WAS LOOKING AROUND FOR ANY PEDESTRIANS SHORT-CUTTING IN FRONT OF CAR BEFORE SHIFTING, WHEN CAR ACCELERATED, NOT STOPPING IN SPITE OF BRAKE, UNTIL SMASHING INTO TREE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10883149

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 Toyota Prius V reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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