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2015 Toyota Prius: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2015 Toyota Prius — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for hatchback.

Owners filed 49 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 59% of 2015 hatchbacks. Service Brakes leads the reports (73%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2015 hatchbacks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

49

Reports to NHTSA, 2015

Safety recalls

1

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

48

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 59% of 2015 hatchbacks

The bar is this car's percentile among 2015 hatchbacks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Service Brakes issues lead owner complaints (73% of 49 reports), followed by electrical system (10%).

Service Brakes73% · 36 reports
Electrical System10% · 5 reports
Unknown Or Other6% · 3 reports
Structure4% · 2 reports
Engine And Engine Cooling2% · 1 report
Seats2% · 1 report
Vehicle Speed Control2% · 1 report

Share of all 49 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11630769, ODI 11746503, ODI 11743224, ODI 11740085, ODI 11740166.

Recalls(1)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Hybrid Propulsion System · 20V369000Details +

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.

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 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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

3 NHTSA investigations on record

Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.

Brake Actuator Valve Wear

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

Brake Actuator Valve Wear

On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s). In support of his request, the petitioner identified 117 NHTSA complaints allegedly related to the subject CSP condition, including 60 reporting crashes. On September 30, 2019, ODI opened Defect Petition DP19-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request for an investigation. In August 2020, the petitioner notified the Agency that he was withdrawing his petition. Because the petitioner has withdrawn the petition, we are denying the petition as moot and no further analysis of this petition is necessary.NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Because the petitioner has with withdrawn the petition, the petition is denied as moot. This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency notes that it is not required to receive a defect petition prior to opening a defect investigation and will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.

Crash-test ratings

2015 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Prius1.8L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive504648

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2015 Toyota Prius: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2015 Toyota Prius?

Owners filed 49 NHTSA complaints about the 2015 Toyota Prius — fewer complaints than 59% of comparable 2015 hatchbacks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2015 Toyota Prius?

The most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes (73% of complaints) and electrical system (10%).

How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Prius have?

1 recall has been issued that affect the 2015 Toyota Prius, covering components such as hybrid propulsion system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Toyota Prius get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Toyota Prius at 48 mpg combined.