2015 Toyota Prius V Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2015 Toyota Prius V has 30 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve service brakes and unknown or other.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 30 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
SERVICE BRAKES
11 36.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4 13.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 13.3%
POWER TRAIN
3 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 6.7%
Quick Insights
The top category is SERVICE BRAKES, accounting for 36.7% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 9 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2015 Toyota Prius V
The 2015 Toyota Prius V has 30 owner complaints in this dataset. SERVICE BRAKES is the most common complaint category, representing about 37% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2015 Toyota Prius V are SERVICE BRAKES (11), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (4).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 20 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2015 Toyota Prius V?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 9 of 9 systems
SERVICE BRAKES
11 Reports37% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
2015 TOYOTA PRIUS V: THIS CAR HAS A BRAKE SYSTEM ACCUMULATOR THAT ACTIVATES AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR A SUFFICIENTLY LONG TIME (OVERNIGHT, DURING THE WORKDAY, ETC). WHEN YOU OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE ACCUMULATOR ACTIVATES AND PRESSURIZES THE BRAKE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, WHEN USING THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER THE ACCUMULATOR ACTIVATES, THE BRAKES ARE WAY TOO SOFT/SPONGY - SO SOFT THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR WILL NOT STOP AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS LENGTHENED, SOMETIMES MORE THAN DOUBLED. MY LOCAL DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT. I HAVE HAD OTHER MODEL PRIUSES WHERE THEY HAVE SAID THE SAME THING, YET THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A SYSTEMIC ISSUE IN A CERTAIN PRIUS MODEL. I FEAR THAT THIS IS ANOTHER PERVASIVE BRAKE ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS TRYING TO HIDE.
10/10/2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS V HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. THE SPEED INCREASED TO 20 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT APPLIED SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SORENESS FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND DEEMED DESTROYED. STEVE LANDERS TOYOTA (10825 COLONEL GLENN ROAD, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72204) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIATELY 59,100. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
10/9/2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE RADIO/NAVIGATION/TELEPHONE SYSTEM ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS V 2015 STARTED FREEZING A FEW WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE GPS, RADIO, TELEPHONE ETC. ARE ALL CONTROLLED BY A CENTRAL TOUCH SCREEN PANEL ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE GPS BECOMES UN-RESPONSIVE TO TOUCH AND CAN SUDDENLY NO LONGER BE USED! THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY BUT RANDOMLY ON MY VEHICLE, AND MANY OWNERS ARE SEEING THE SAME ISSUE ON THEIR PRIUS V 2015 TOO. AFTER A FEW MILES OF DRIVING, THE SCREEN BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE, AND REMAINS UN-RESPONSIVE UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND STARTED AGAIN, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. THE ONLY WAY CERTAIN OWNERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET A PERMANENT FIX FOR THE ISSUE IS BY A REPLACEMENT OF THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. IT APPEARS THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA T-TT-0336-15 THAT MENTIONS THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO MY TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, AND THEY KEEP SAYING THAT THEY CANNOT "REPRODUCE" THE ISSUE, AND NEED TO ANALYZE FURTHER. I HAVE TAKEN MULTIPLE VIDEOS OF THE ISSUE BETWEEN MAR 25 AND AUG 8 AND SHARED WITH THE SERVICE CENTER. BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND TAKE ACTION. IF IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE, WHY IS TOYOTA NOT RECALLING AND REPLACING THE UNIT, CUSTOMERS LIKE ME ARE WASTING TIME, WAITING ENDLESSLY AND WAITING FOR THE "ANALYSIS" WHEN TOYOTA KNOWS THE PROBLEM, AND MUST FIX THE ISSUE PROACTIVELY! PLEASE NOTE: I HAVE TALKED TO THE SERVICE CENTER AS WELL AS WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE, TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IN GOOD FAITH, BUT THEY ASKED ME TO CONTACT NHTSA IF I HAVE ANY COMPLAINT, OR KEEP GOING THROUGH THEIR ANALYSIS PROCESS - THEY ARE NOT READY TO OWN UP TO THE ISSUE AND FIX IT PROACTIVELY, NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT FOR ALL OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
8/10/2015
ISSUE STARTED AFTER 2 YEARS, WHEN WET AND COLD AS I BACK UP AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, A VERY LOUD NOISE HEARD COMING FROM THE BACK? IT LASTS AS LONG AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL. EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS AT PETERSON TOYOTA DEALER LOCALLY, BUT THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT "IT'S NORMAL", COULD BE THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC BOOSTER SYSTEM? THE ISSUES STILL CONTINUE AS OF TODAY. I DO RECORD THE NOISE WHEN IT HAPPENS
3/26/2020
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
PRIUS V3 LUNGING BACKWARDS 1/21/2016 ON THURSDAY 1/21/2016, I WAS PARKED IN A BIG LOT AND AFTER MY APPOINTMENT, GOT IN THE CAR AND TURNED IT ON. BUT RATHER THAN PULL BACKWARDS OUT OF THE SPOT, I DECIDED TO FIRST MAKE A CALL USING BLUETOOTH. THE CALL TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES. I THEN HUNG UP, RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND MOVED THE STICK SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITH MY FOOT, OF COURSE, ON THE REGULAR BRAKE. AS I RELEASED THAT BRAKE, THE CAR LUNGED HARD ABOUT 10 FEET BACKWARD ACROSS THE PARKING LOT "DRIVE", INTO WHERE OTHER CARS COULD HAVE BEEN PARKED BUT LUCKILY WEREN'T. I AUTOMATICALLY AND IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS BEWILDERED AND SCARED BY WHAT HAD HAPPENED, COUNTING MYSELF VERY LUCKY THERE WAS NO OTHER CAR PARKED BEHIND ME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE'S LUNGE, I JUST KNOW THAT I HAVE DRIVEN TOYOTA PRIUS CARS FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS, LOVE THEM, AND NEVER HAD ANY DRIVING ISSUES. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE, I SAW THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CAR'S POWER TRAIN, SINCE SIMILAR LUNGES WERE DESCRIBED IN CARS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
1/22/2016
I HAVE TOYOTA PRIUS V 2015 BUT I WAS LOSING POWER AND I TOOK IT MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW IT'S SEEMS LIKE NOW IT AFFECTED MY ENGINE OR MY GASKET ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS.
10/5/2018
POWER TRAIN
3 Reports10% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
PRIUS V3 LUNGING BACKWARDS 1/21/2016 ON THURSDAY 1/21/2016, I WAS PARKED IN A BIG LOT AND AFTER MY APPOINTMENT, GOT IN THE CAR AND TURNED IT ON. BUT RATHER THAN PULL BACKWARDS OUT OF THE SPOT, I DECIDED TO FIRST MAKE A CALL USING BLUETOOTH. THE CALL TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES. I THEN HUNG UP, RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND MOVED THE STICK SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITH MY FOOT, OF COURSE, ON THE REGULAR BRAKE. AS I RELEASED THAT BRAKE, THE CAR LUNGED HARD ABOUT 10 FEET BACKWARD ACROSS THE PARKING LOT "DRIVE", INTO WHERE OTHER CARS COULD HAVE BEEN PARKED BUT LUCKILY WEREN'T. I AUTOMATICALLY AND IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS BEWILDERED AND SCARED BY WHAT HAD HAPPENED, COUNTING MYSELF VERY LUCKY THERE WAS NO OTHER CAR PARKED BEHIND ME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE'S LUNGE, I JUST KNOW THAT I HAVE DRIVEN TOYOTA PRIUS CARS FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS, LOVE THEM, AND NEVER HAD ANY DRIVING ISSUES. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE, I SAW THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CAR'S POWER TRAIN, SINCE SIMILAR LUNGES WERE DESCRIBED IN CARS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
1/22/2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS V HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. THE SPEED INCREASED TO 20 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT APPLIED SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SORENESS FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND DEEMED DESTROYED. STEVE LANDERS TOYOTA (10825 COLONEL GLENN ROAD, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72204) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIATELY 59,100. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
10/9/2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE RADIO/NAVIGATION/TELEPHONE SYSTEM ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS V 2015 STARTED FREEZING A FEW WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE GPS, RADIO, TELEPHONE ETC. ARE ALL CONTROLLED BY A CENTRAL TOUCH SCREEN PANEL ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE GPS BECOMES UN-RESPONSIVE TO TOUCH AND CAN SUDDENLY NO LONGER BE USED! THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY BUT RANDOMLY ON MY VEHICLE, AND MANY OWNERS ARE SEEING THE SAME ISSUE ON THEIR PRIUS V 2015 TOO. AFTER A FEW MILES OF DRIVING, THE SCREEN BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE, AND REMAINS UN-RESPONSIVE UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND STARTED AGAIN, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. THE ONLY WAY CERTAIN OWNERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET A PERMANENT FIX FOR THE ISSUE IS BY A REPLACEMENT OF THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. IT APPEARS THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA T-TT-0336-15 THAT MENTIONS THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO MY TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, AND THEY KEEP SAYING THAT THEY CANNOT "REPRODUCE" THE ISSUE, AND NEED TO ANALYZE FURTHER. I HAVE TAKEN MULTIPLE VIDEOS OF THE ISSUE BETWEEN MAR 25 AND AUG 8 AND SHARED WITH THE SERVICE CENTER. BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND TAKE ACTION. IF IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE, WHY IS TOYOTA NOT RECALLING AND REPLACING THE UNIT, CUSTOMERS LIKE ME ARE WASTING TIME, WAITING ENDLESSLY AND WAITING FOR THE "ANALYSIS" WHEN TOYOTA KNOWS THE PROBLEM, AND MUST FIX THE ISSUE PROACTIVELY! PLEASE NOTE: I HAVE TALKED TO THE SERVICE CENTER AS WELL AS WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE, TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IN GOOD FAITH, BUT THEY ASKED ME TO CONTACT NHTSA IF I HAVE ANY COMPLAINT, OR KEEP GOING THROUGH THEIR ANALYSIS PROCESS - THEY ARE NOT READY TO OWN UP TO THE ISSUE AND FIX IT PROACTIVELY, NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT FOR ALL OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
8/10/2015
TOUCH SCREEN DID NOT RESPONSE WHEN TOUCH
11/2/2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I HAVE TOYOTA PRIUS V 2015 BUT I WAS LOSING POWER AND I TOOK IT MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW IT'S SEEMS LIKE NOW IT AFFECTED MY ENGINE OR MY GASKET ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS.
10/5/2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS V HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. THE SPEED INCREASED TO 20 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT APPLIED SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SORENESS FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND DEEMED DESTROYED. STEVE LANDERS TOYOTA (10825 COLONEL GLENN ROAD, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72204) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIATELY 59,100. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
10/9/2018
ENGINE
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020, DRIVING ON QUIET RESIDENTIAL STREET, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP WITH MESSAGE "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE. PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY". BEFORE WE COULD FIND A SPOT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON, BLOCKING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. ENGINE TURNED ON AT DEALERSHIP. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. SENT US HOME SAYING CAR WAS FINE. NOVEMBER 24, 2020 RECEIVED NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ABOUT CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR FAILURE OF "INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE (IPM) LOCATED INSIDE THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM". CONDITION DESCRIBED AS "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING" SHOWING ON INSTRUMENT PANEL AND VEHICLE GOING INTO "FAIL-SAFE DRIVING MODE". CALLED PHONE NUMBER ON THE NOTICE AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE CAR WAS THE CONDITION DESCRIBED IN NOTICE, BUT NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL IT FAILS AGAIN AND THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ARE POSITIVE. IF THEY KNOW THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, AND IT ALREADY HAPPENED ONCE IN OUR CAR, THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE FAULTY PARTS, NOT WAIT FOR US TO GET INTO A WRECK ON THE FREEWAY.
11/26/2020
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at speeds under 65 MPH, the vehicle intermittently lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and DTC codes: P0300, P0302, P0303, and P0304 were retrieved. The contact was informed that several undisclosed parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.
11/1/2024
SEAT BELTS
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE PASSENGER SIDE 2ND ROW SEAT BELT IS STUCK, IT DOESN'T ROLL OR RELEASE MAKING IT UNUSABLE FOR A PASSENGER TO USE IT. WHEN I ROLL MY FINGERS UP WHERE IT COMES OUT FROM, I FEEL THERE IS A KINK, BUT I COULDN'T FIX IT. A SEAT BELT SHOULDN'T KINK AND GET STUCK. NOW THIS SEAT BELT IS USELESS FOR ANYONE SITTING IN THAT SEAT.
3/17/2019
AIR BAGS
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, a vehicle hit the front driver's side causing damages to the front driver's side door and undercarriage. The contact stated none of the air bags deployed. The contact stated ambulance did arrive at the scene where they took the contact to the hospital. The contact sustained injuries to their head due to the front side window shattering causing a laceration on the left eyelid and small facial fracture as well bruising and swelling of the left eye. The contact stated the other driver in the accident and passenger was taken to the hospital as well but the contact did not know if they were injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard. The contact attempted to reach out to the local dealer but there was no response. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.
6/2/2021
Data and Methodology
SourcesShow 12 sources
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota Prius V?
Are complaints about the 2015 Toyota Prius V a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2015 Toyota Prius V?
Are complaints about the 2015 Toyota Prius V severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Toyota Prius V: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 30
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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