The Lemon Index
2014
20163rd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: electrical
42 owner complaints, first 3 years 48 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2015 Chevrolet Volt2015 Kia Forte 502015 Mazda3 56
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2015 Toyota Prius
- Brake booster / hard pedal46 complaintsmostly at 60,000–114,000 miles (97,000–183,000 km)
- Hybrid battery / inverter12 complaintsmostly at 18,000–95,000 miles (29,000–152,000 km)
- Engine stalling9 complaints
Specific parts named in the 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Toyota Prius (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,200 and 31,000 miles (5,100–50,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 42 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 20V369000 (hybrid propulsion system) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into brake actuator valve wear. Has this car had that problem?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Toyota sent dealers 324 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Hv batteries have liquid filled cell modules, to prevent leakage from cells, it is very important”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 42 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 31K miles (5K to 50K km) on the car (39 of all 42 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I can't put break .the sign light on is slip sign, abs sign and hand break sign. The sign light on in 2 time . 07/31/2017 is same thing and then also check hybrids system check sign light on and triangle sign light on .
2015 Toyota Prius owner · NHTSA complaint 11014878
More owner reports
I backed out of a carport and placed my car in acceleration and it picked up speed and then hit a wall at an apartment complex.
NHTSA complaint 11013735
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 32.3M views · 2010–2015 Toyota Prius
What owners say one repair costs on YouTube
- Batteryone repair, as owners say it$900most $250–$4,000 · 6 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service1.5M views
2010-2015 Toyota Prius oil change HDNutzAboutBolts · 794K views · 7 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical1.3M views
How To replace Hybrid Battery Fan Filter : 2010-2015 PriusThe Car Care Nut · 262K views · 11 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors912K views
2011 - 2015 Toyota Prius tire pressure sensor reset Button!DIY Approved · 243K views · 5 videos - Timing chain & engine813K views
2010-2015 Prius Morning Death Rattle Test! Head gasket or not? 3rd GenDrew's Garage · 220K views · 8 videos
Show 4 more
- Spark plugs & ignition coils667K views
2010-2015 Toyota Prius Spark plugs remove and install HDNutzAboutBolts · 425K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring609K views
How To Reset The Maintenance Required Light On A 2012-2014 Toyota PriusHow to Automotive · 378K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS539K views
2010-2015 Toyota Prius Brake flushNutzAboutBolts · 250K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door182K views
2010-2015 Toyota Prius hybrid AC problem EASY 30 min FixMaxat Hybrid Repair · 143K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Toyota Prius Hybrid 3rd Generation 2010-151A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 543K views
2010 Toyota Prius Review - (High Mileage Reliability?)Jake Tiesler Auto · 173K views
2011 - 2015 Prius Review! Real Fuel Consumption - Reliability - How to DriveDIY Approved · 87K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2015 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 324 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Hv batteries have liquid filled cell modules, to prevent leakage from cells, it is very important
- While a vehicle is in inventory, the battery is subject to conditions that can reduce its…
- Front Brake Vibration Key Points: * Issue can occur at any time if improper torque is applied…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Hybrid propulsion system · recall issued 2020
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenBrake actuator valve wear2023
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedBrake actuator valve wear2019–2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Prius C 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl.
Every Toyota Prius year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 24 Toyota Prius years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-prius/?y=2015" title="Toyota Prius reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="767" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-prius/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 Toyota Prius reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2015 Toyota Prius reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 36; 100 is average, lower is better). 2015 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.8× the average car's complaints. The Toyota Prius year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2021.
What are the most common 2015 Toyota Prius problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (24%), brakes (19%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Prius have?
1 safety recall (latest: hybrid propulsion system). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Toyota Prius get?
48 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 Toyota Prius safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2015 Toyota Prius problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,200 and 31,000 miles (5,100–50,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 42 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2015 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2015 Toyota Prius have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 Toyota Prius cost in fuel a year?
About $1,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Toyota Prius have?
1.8L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Toyota Prius year than the 2015?
Not nearby: the 2015 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Toyota Prius years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works