Owners have filed 53 complaints
about the 2014 Toyota Prius C with NHTSA between 2016 and 2026.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 49
Against the median year of the Toyota Prius C. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
24.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 51
30% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2014 Toyota Prius C
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
815.1%
Brakes
815.1%
Median failure at 46,765 miles
Engine & Cooling
713.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 68,500 mi
Electrical System
611.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
47.5%
Median failure at 37,500 miles
Wheels
35.7%
Median failure at 29,267 miles
Lights
35.7%
Median failure at 129,962 miles
Steering
35.7%
Median failure at 99,633 miles
Airbags
35.7%
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 50,000 mi
Body & Structure
23.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 30,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
23.8%
Median failure at 68,500 miles
Stability & Traction Control
11.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 30,000 mi
Seat Belts
11.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
11.9%
Median failure at 68,500 miles
Suspension
11.9%
Median failure at 29,267 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
27.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
933.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
829.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
518.5%
150,000+ miles
311.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2016peak 6Mar 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2014 Toyota Prius C
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 Marc...
Recalls on the 2014 Toyota Prius C
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 63,769 milesValley View, TXCrash
AIR BAGS
MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING DOWN 121 BY GRAPEVINE MILLS MALL. SHE NOTICED A DRIVER BEING AGGRESSIVE. SO SHE ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH TO GET AWAY FROM HIM. WHEN SHE WAS CHECKING TO MERGE TO NEXT LANE THE AGGRESSIVE DRIVER STOPPED FOR NO REASON. INTENTIONELLY WRECKING HER CAR. THEN DRIVING OFF. HER VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND HER AIR BACKS NEVER DEPLOYED. HER PRIUS C HAD DRIVER SIDE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FENDER WAS RIPPED FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11298226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesNorth Lauderdale, FLCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR ABOVE, WHEN A LARGE VEHICLE PASSED, IT WOULD PULL THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO ITS PATHWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. ON MAY 15, 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH AN 18-WHEELER. THE CONTACT BELIEVED HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED PAINS AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION A MONTH LATER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE BODY DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PULLING FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1804052396 IN 2018 AS WELL AS CASE NUMBER: 1905141699 FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED ON JANUARY 8, 2019, WHICH DAMAGED THE CHASSIS AND HYBRID BATTERY CAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIRED THE CHASSIS; HOWEVER, THE HYBRID BATTERY CAGE AND BATTERY WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11208117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesNorth Lauderdale, FLCrash1 injured
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR ABOVE, WHEN A LARGE VEHICLE PASSED, IT WOULD PULL THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO ITS PATHWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. ON MAY 15, 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH AN 18-WHEELER. THE CONTACT BELIEVED HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED PAINS AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION A MONTH LATER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE BODY DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PULLING FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1804052396 IN 2018 AS WELL AS CASE NUMBER: 1905141699 FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED ON JANUARY 8, 2019, WHICH DAMAGED THE CHASSIS AND HYBRID BATTERY CAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIRED THE CHASSIS; HOWEVER, THE HYBRID BATTERY CAGE AND BATTERY WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11208117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesJacksonville, FLCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SIDE AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT NEITHER STOPPED THE DRIVER FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACIAL LACERATIONS, CONTUSIONS TO THE LEFT ARM, SHOULDER, AND HIP, AND SEVERE HEADACHES THE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11114182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesJacksonville, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SIDE AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT NEITHER STOPPED THE DRIVER FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACIAL LACERATIONS, CONTUSIONS TO THE LEFT ARM, SHOULDER, AND HIP, AND SEVERE HEADACHES THE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11114182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesSAN Jose, CACrash1 injured
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO I HAD THREE PASSENGER WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WHEN I WAS GOING UP TO THE HILL THE CAR POWER STARTS GETTING WEAKER AND I WAS HEARING THAT CARES IN THE CAR I DON'T WANT TO GO UP THE HILL NOW I'M LIKE IT'S KEEPS GOING WEAKER AND WEAKER AND WEAKER AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACK ON ME I THINK THE CANNOT TAKE MORE THAN FOUR PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND I THINK YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE SCORE IN SAN FRANCISCO AND THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AND THE FIRST TIME I HAD AN ACCIDENT AT THE CORNER BEHIND ME BECAUSE THE CAR COULDN'T GO UP THE HILL AND IT'S NOT EVEN BIG HILL IS A SMALL HILL IT'S ALL OVER SAN FRANCISCO THOSE HILLS.
NHTSA complaint #10970913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Waterbury, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake actuator assembly known issue in Prius C, Toyota refuses to do anything about it. Part is not cheap.
NHTSA complaint #11724852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monterey, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
While driving, suddenly all brake lights and warning lights went on, and brakes stopped working normally. It became difficult to brake (brake took a while to engage - had to press pedal to the floor). After diagnostics at the dealership it looks like the brake booster failed. Apparently Toyota knew about this issue as they did an extended warranty through a Customer Support Program, but unfortunately my issue occurred just past the expiration of that warranty. Since brakes are such a critical component of vehicle safety, if they don't operate well or as expected, it endangers the driver and everyone else on the road. It is wild that Toyota is aware of this issue but that there has been no recall yet.
NHTSA complaint #11700832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ironton, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
I was told that my Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assembly needed replaced. I had specifically asked my dealership in the past if there were any issues with my car and was told that there was nothing, which was untrue. I called Toyota and was told that I was mailed something back in 2018, but I do not remember receiving it. Now I am told that this has expired. I wanted to know if I had any recourse or extension time on this program 21 TE01. I am afraid that my brakes will not work, as the lights go off and on. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11679204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paris, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Cruise Control Not Working. Traction Control Light Active, Brake Light Active, And Light Active The cause was diagnosed by Toyota of Paris. TSB for C1391 Code abnormal leak in accumulator. The corrective action is to replace brake booster assembly with Master cylinder and Brake Booster pump Assembly.
NHTSA complaint #11673351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paris, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Cruise Control Not Working. Traction Control Light Active, Brake Light Active, And Light Active The cause was diagnosed by Toyota of Paris. TSB for C1391 Code abnormal leak in accumulator. The corrective action is to replace brake booster assembly with Master cylinder and Brake Booster pump Assembly.
NHTSA complaint #11673351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paris, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
Cruise Control Not Working. Traction Control Light Active, Brake Light Active, And Light Active The cause was diagnosed by Toyota of Paris. TSB for C1391 Code abnormal leak in accumulator. The corrective action is to replace brake booster assembly with Master cylinder and Brake Booster pump Assembly.
NHTSA complaint #11673351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We were driving on a city street about 25-30mph and the car jerked suddenly and the lights on the dashboard illuminated and the "Check Hybrid System" message came up as well. The car was able to coast to a nearby parking lot. We attempted to drive the car home and the car stalled in the middle of the street. We were able to push the car off the road and then get it towed. The presented a potentially very dangerous situation as the car had a complete failure while driving in the middle of the road. The Toyota service department ran a diagnosis which returned DTC P0A94. All of this indicates that the car should be covered under the CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE PROGRAM 23TE03 however that program seems to only cover the 2010-2015 Prius and 2011-2017 Prius V models and not the Prius C. There are several reports of this same issue happening on the Prius C as well though so it doesn't make sense that it is not covered.
NHTSA complaint #11667479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We were driving on a city street about 25-30mph and the car jerked suddenly and the lights on the dashboard illuminated and the "Check Hybrid System" message came up as well. The car was able to coast to a nearby parking lot. We attempted to drive the car home and the car stalled in the middle of the street. We were able to push the car off the road and then get it towed. The presented a potentially very dangerous situation as the car had a complete failure while driving in the middle of the road. The Toyota service department ran a diagnosis which returned DTC P0A94. All of this indicates that the car should be covered under the CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE PROGRAM 23TE03 however that program seems to only cover the 2010-2015 Prius and 2011-2017 Prius V models and not the Prius C. There are several reports of this same issue happening on the Prius C as well though so it doesn't make sense that it is not covered.
NHTSA complaint #11667479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
El Mirage, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES
2014 Toyota Prius C with 220k miles. Four warning lights came on while driving. Brakes became not responsive unless you press down very hard. Regenerative braking, went away. The Brake pump can be audibly heard turning on every few seconds.
NHTSA complaint #11665317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newberg, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2014 Toyota Prius C experienced a complete hybrid inverter failure. The part number of the inverter is the same as the one covered under Toyota’s inverter recalls (such as Recall J0V), yet my VIN is not included. The failure created a serious safety concern, as the vehicle lost power while in motion. Toyota’s recall appears to be too limited in scope and may need to be expanded to cover Prius C models that share the same faulty part. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue, as it appears to involve the same hardware defect acknowledged in other Prius models.
NHTSA complaint #11659113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Augustine, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Code C1391 Master cylinder/ break booster
NHTSA complaint #11649719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbiana, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11609675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving car completely shut off in middle of road. Would not turn back on. Had car towed still will not start.
NHTSA complaint #11604161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesSouth Jordan, UT
WHEELS
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and turning from the left lane, the steering wheel popped out. The vehicle was able to reverse however, tires were pushed inward. The vehicle was pushed out of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The hazard light was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11586549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesSouth Jordan, UT
STEERING
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and turning from the left lane, the steering wheel popped out. The vehicle was able to reverse however, tires were pushed inward. The vehicle was pushed out of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The hazard light was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11586549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesSouth Jordan, UT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and turning from the left lane, the steering wheel popped out. The vehicle was able to reverse however, tires were pushed inward. The vehicle was pushed out of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The hazard light was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11586549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Watergets into the body of the car for years since i bought the car i chaged the "body plugs" at the dealer they told me that would fix the problem but whenever it rains floor and trunk fills with water.
NHTSA complaint #11571037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
Watergets into the body of the car for years since i bought the car i chaged the "body plugs" at the dealer they told me that would fix the problem but whenever it rains floor and trunk fills with water.
NHTSA complaint #11571037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,211 milesBristol, CT
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to move the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway safely. The contact stated that before losing motive power, an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure had recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,211.
NHTSA complaint #11528077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
STEERING
While driving, I received a warning "hybrid system malfunction". Within seconds, the vehicle powered off and the steering wheel LOCKED. I had no control of the car and came to an abrupt stop in lane 1 of a two lane road. I was fortunate that it was late in the evening with few cars on the road, had I been on the highway during rush hour the outcome, due to loss of power and control (steering), could have been catastrophic and perhaps fatal for me or other commuters. I note that in 2014, Toyota notified NHTSA of a recall to, "rectify software in two of the Prius's electronic control units, one for the motor/generator and the other controlling the hybrid system." Further Toyota said, "In rare circumstances, it could shut down the hybrid system itself, resulting in loss of power and the vehicle coming to a stop". This is exactly what happened to me the other night. Toyota claims, in 2014, that "it has received no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem." This seems to be an extraordinarily amount of good luck as I could have been easily rear-ended the other night. Curiously, in this NHTSA data base, another owner reported an incident (11439720) on November 8, 2021, that is similar to the experience I had just days prior. And our VINS are eerily close. Coincidence? Not likely. Does the 2014 recall apply to my car and if not, why not given I experienced the exact same symptoms?
NHTSA complaint #11441194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving, I received a warning "hybrid system malfunction". Within seconds, the vehicle powered off and the steering wheel LOCKED. I had no control of the car and came to an abrupt stop in lane 1 of a two lane road. I was fortunate that it was late in the evening with few cars on the road, had I been on the highway during rush hour the outcome, due to loss of power and control (steering), could have been catastrophic and perhaps fatal for me or other commuters. I note that in 2014, Toyota notified NHTSA of a recall to, "rectify software in two of the Prius's electronic control units, one for the motor/generator and the other controlling the hybrid system." Further Toyota said, "In rare circumstances, it could shut down the hybrid system itself, resulting in loss of power and the vehicle coming to a stop". This is exactly what happened to me the other night. Toyota claims, in 2014, that "it has received no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem." This seems to be an extraordinarily amount of good luck as I could have been easily rear-ended the other night. Curiously, in this NHTSA data base, another owner reported an incident (11439720) on November 8, 2021, that is similar to the experience I had just days prior. And our VINS are eerily close. Coincidence? Not likely. Does the 2014 recall apply to my car and if not, why not given I experienced the exact same symptoms?
NHTSA complaint #11441194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
ENGINE
While driving, I received a warning "hybrid system malfunction". Within seconds, the vehicle powered off and the steering wheel LOCKED. I had no control of the car and came to an abrupt stop in lane 1 of a two lane road. I was fortunate that it was late in the evening with few cars on the road, had I been on the highway during rush hour the outcome, due to loss of power and control (steering), could have been catastrophic and perhaps fatal for me or other commuters. I note that in 2014, Toyota notified NHTSA of a recall to, "rectify software in two of the Prius's electronic control units, one for the motor/generator and the other controlling the hybrid system." Further Toyota said, "In rare circumstances, it could shut down the hybrid system itself, resulting in loss of power and the vehicle coming to a stop". This is exactly what happened to me the other night. Toyota claims, in 2014, that "it has received no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem." This seems to be an extraordinarily amount of good luck as I could have been easily rear-ended the other night. Curiously, in this NHTSA data base, another owner reported an incident (11439720) on November 8, 2021, that is similar to the experience I had just days prior. And our VINS are eerily close. Coincidence? Not likely. Does the 2014 recall apply to my car and if not, why not given I experienced the exact same symptoms?
NHTSA complaint #11441194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Louis, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on the interstate yesterday my Prius computer shut down entirely.
NHTSA complaint #11439720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Louis, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving on the interstate yesterday my Prius computer shut down entirely.
NHTSA complaint #11439720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Louis, MO
ENGINE
While driving on the interstate yesterday my Prius computer shut down entirely.
NHTSA complaint #11439720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.