Toyota Prius V years to avoid (and the best years)
475 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls across 6 model years, 2012 to 2017. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 475complaints
- 6recalls
- 45reported crashes
- 7reported fires
- 23reported injuries
- 3reported deaths
Which Toyota Prius V years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Toyota Prius V year to avoid is 2012. The typical Toyota Prius V year has 53 complaints on file.
- 2012: 217 complaints, 4.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the brakes (61% of complaints) and the engine (17% of complaints).
What are the best Toyota Prius V years?
The Toyota Prius V years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2017 (12), 2016 (16) and 2015 (24). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 12 | 0.2× | 1 | 3 | 0 | Few red flags | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 | 16 | 0.3× | 1 | 6 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 24 | 0.5× | 2 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2014 | 82 | 1.5× | 4 | 5 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2013 | 124 | 2.3× | 3 | 9 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2012 | 217 | 4.1× | 4 | 19 | 10 | Approach with caution | Brakes |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 2 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Other systems2 (100%)
Recalls (6)
Safety · 20V369000 · Jun 2020 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V684000 · Oct 2018 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V449000 · Jul 2015 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
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.
Airbags · 15V013000 · Jan 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
If the air bag does not deploy as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 13E070000 · Dec 2013 · model years 2012, 2013
The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 13V014000 · Jan 2013 · model year 2012
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.