2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
186 NHTSA owner complaints · 1 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Owner complaints: 186 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 15.5
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
My 2014 Toyota Prius (VIN [XXX] , 77,000 miles) displayed Brake, ABS, and Slip warning lights. A mechanic confirmed failure of the Brake Booster and Pump Assembly (DTC C1391). Toyota previously acknowledged this as a safety-related defect under Customer Support Program ZJB, but my coverage expired because I never received Toyota’s notice dated May 21, 2019. My car has been undrivable for weeks and Toyota refuses good…
After 120K miles and 11 years of use, my Prius 3 brake booster pump failed while I was driving. The warning lights came on, including the ABS and brake lights. My brake felt strange, and I had to finish my drive to the dealership keeping a large driving distance so the brakes would work in time. I was advised that this was a result of a C1391 error and that the brake pump part is only covered under extended warranty …
Issue started with a noise sounding like a motor constantly trying to prime its self. Then while driving on freeway ABS light Brake light and traction control lights all came on. Took car to dealership and was given a $3700 bill to replace Brake Booster Master Cylinder and Brake booster pump. This is a known issue to Toyota and have offered an extended warranty 10 years or 150000 miles but not a recall. My vehic…
Recalls: 1 campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 17V718000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 50 MPGe · estimated annual energy cost $1,350 · EPA range 11 mi
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Service Brakes79 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
- Electrical System32 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other23 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine17 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Air Bags14 complaints · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,700
- Vehicle Speed Control14 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
Other Toyota Prius Plug-in years
Toyota Prius Plug-in years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Service Brakes (79 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 84/100, computed from 186 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in's most common problem?
79 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in sit in the Service Brakes group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $580–$1,140 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in cost to run per year?
About $3,924 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $19,622 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in, 0 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 15/11/2017. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compacts of about the same age.
What will a 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 186 complaints, 1 recalls on record
- 186 NHTSA complaints on record (15.5/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (15.5/yr)
- 1 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems