2015 Toyota Prius problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 170 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Toyota Prius, filed between 2015-01-28 and 2026-09-17. The most common problem areas are the service brakes (90, 53%), electrical system (28, 16%) and power train (13, 8%). Owners reported 30 crashes, 1 fire, 17 injuries and 3 deaths in these complaints. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2015 Toyota Prius complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 90 | 53% | 12 | 0 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 28 | 16% | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown or other | 15 | 9% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 13 | 8% | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine | 8 | 5% | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 5% | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 4% | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 6 | 4% | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 3 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 2% | 2 | 0 | 3 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Service brakes: 90 complaints
- 90 complaints of 170 (53%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 7 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 12 crashes and 6 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Electrical system: 28 complaints
- 28 complaints of 170 (16%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 7 of them also name the service brakes; owners reported 5 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Power train: 13 complaints
- 13 complaints of 170 (8%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 4 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 4 crashes and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Engine: 8 complaints
- 8 complaints of 170 (5%) name the engine.
- 3 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 3 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Vehicle speed control: 8 complaints
- 8 complaints of 170 (5%) name the vehicle speed control — cruise control and accelerator/throttle control.
- 3 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 7 crashes and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota Prius covers this system.
Exterior lighting: 7 complaints
- 7 complaints of 170 (4%) name the exterior lighting — headlights, tail and brake lights and turn signals.
- Owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota Prius covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 40 |
| 2026 | 31 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names PRIUS, PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID, model year 2015. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2015 Toyota Prius recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota Prius?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2015 Toyota Prius's most common problem areas are the service brakes (90 of 170 complaints), electrical system (28 of 170 complaints) and power train (13 of 170 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2015 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA has 170 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Toyota Prius, including 30 reported crashes and 1 reported fire.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Toyota Prius's problems?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2015 Toyota Prius; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.