2015 Toyota Prius
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 94 of 169 complaints (56%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more deaths (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 219 in 2014 to 169 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,250–1,300 | 1,250–1,300 | 1,250–1,300 | 1,100–1,200 | 1,100–1,200 | |
| Combined MPG | 48–50 | 48–50 | 48–50 | 52–56 | 52–56 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 49–51 / 46–49 | 49–51 / 46–49 | 50–51 / 46–49 | 54–58 / 50–53 | 54–58 / 50–53 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 186 | 186 | 185 | 158–170 | 158–171 | |
| Complaints filed | 420 | 219 | 169 | 154 | 91 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 41 | 28 | 30 | 8 | 12 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 22 | 15 | 17 | 6 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Prius have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2015 Toyota Prius?
Brakes: 94 of 169 NHTSA complaints (56%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Toyota Prius get?
EPA rates it 48–50 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Toyota Prius?
EPA estimates $1,250–$1,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 50 mpg (low) | 46 mpg (low) | 48 mpg (low) | $1,300 (high) | 185 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Midsize Cars | 51 mpg (high) | 49 mpg (high) | 50 mpg (high) | $1,250 (low) | 133 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 28 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 94 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 15 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER · Campaign 20V369000 · Jun 24, 2020
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.
Consequence: 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.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM · Campaign 17V718000 · Nov 17, 2017
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.
Consequence: The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EV fuse, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0R.